Thomas Frank reckons it’s important not to single out Cristiano Ronaldo or any other top stars in the Premier League when he prepares his Brentford players to meet their teams.
The Bees boss takes his side to Old Trafford on Monday to meet the Portuguese and his Manchester United team-mates in what will be an historical clash for the Bees. And he said: "We will speak about Ronaldo and his positions in the box and his movement.
"But always from a technical and tactical point of view rather than about his aura or presence. We just speak about them like any other normal player — like, with Marcus Rashford, we know his pace, Jadon Sancho, his one-v-one ability, that’s what I will do.
"But, of course, I understand if you talk someone up too much or you don’t talk about them at all… you need to be transparent and have a down-to-earth approach to the game." A 70,000-plus crowd will be the biggest Brentford have played in front of but Frank and his men can enjoy it knowing they are all but mathematically confirmed as being a Premier League side again next season. And not only does that mean more games against the biggest boys, but it will see them meet west London rivals Fulham in the top flight for the first time as well.
Frank added: “No matter which club came up, the competition would be crazy, but obviously with the story and the derbies, Fulham and Brentford is big. All due respect to Chelsea, they are a huge, huge club, but I don’t think they ever saw us as a rivalry. Fulham and Brentford is much more of a derby and I will look forward to them a lot.”
Frank has no fear of any second season syndrome. He said: "I think second season syndrome is more of a myth. I’m very, very respectful of this league. I said before this season, ‘No, we’re not going to lose five games on the bounce, this squad, the culture we have, defensive mindset, not going to happen’, and it happened.
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"So I'm very respectful and aware that this is a relentless league to manage in, play in and win, it’s crazy. I’m very aware it can be difficult for us next year because any of the bottom 10 or 12 teams are going into next season with a chance of getting relegated. You can be hit by a lot of injuries, a lot of things can happen. But I will be very disappointed if we are struggling next year, knowing our team, knowing our squad, knowing the culture, but I’m respectful about it."
Keeping the intensity up in the second season when Brentford are a bit more comfortable in the top flight will be the challenge for Frank and his coaches. But the commitment he has seen from his players in training this past week after reaching the 40-point mark has convinced him that won't be difficult. He said: “You could easily say, ‘40 points, done, dusted, four days off, go on the p***, do whatever you want’. But, no, they are very hungry, they want to do more, they want to achieve more."
