Thomas Frank won’t win the manager-of-the-year - that accolade is sure to go to either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola.
Come on, how can it not?
But that shouldn’t overshadow what has been a terrific first season in the Premier League for Brentford.
Only fleetingly has the club been in relegation trouble and the inspired signing of Christian Eriksen has pushed them clear of danger.
Over the years, there have been plenty of similar-sized clubs in the top-flight - Wimbledon back in the day and Blackpool ten years ago, for instance.
But there’s something about this Brentford model - the way they have worked their way up the ladder, re-developed their stadium and continue to punch above their weight that is commendable.
Frank has remained calm throughout and pretty good-natured, too.
He shouldn’t win the manager award but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a public pat-on-the-back for a commendable first campaign at this level.
Jesse Marsch is using quotations from 52 sources as he plots Leeds United’s survival bid.
I have only one to use in reply. From former Manchester United and Aston Villa boss Ron Atkinson.
‘Don’t tell me, show me,” was one of the big man’s favourites.
All the smart words in the world don’t prevent the ball from hitting your net and prompt it to enter the one at the other end of the field.
Greg Norman , defending the actions of Saudi Arabia, said everyone makes mistakes when he was asked about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
A mistake is dropping a mug of tea. Whatever Norman is trying to pull off here - with this Middle Eastern golf tour - he needs to sharpen his rhetoric.
Describing murder as ‘a mistake,’ isn’t on.
England men’s cricket coach is from New Zealand, the red-ball captain was born in New Zealand and the white-ball skipper hails from Dublin.
International cricket at its’ finest.
WHAT'S HOT
Manchester United’s kids putting a bit of pride back into the club by winning the FA Youth Cup. Great turn-out - and from Nottingham Forest, too, who took 5,700 fans.
Kevin de Bruyne - had a break during the last international get-together and, judging by his show in midweek at Wolves, is peaking at the right time. Lovely hat-trick.
Philippe Coutinho re-joining the Premier League at Aston Villa. Big coup for Steven Gerrard who now needs to find some players near the same level as the Brazilian.
WHAT’S NOT
Graham Thorpe - the awful news about the former England left-hander. Graceful, dogged and intelligent he might have been with the bat but he’s had his issues off the pitch.
Mikel Arteta - moaning about the refereeing in the north London derby. The Spaniard whinges like mad every time Arsenal lose. I suggest he aims his ire at dopey defender Rob Holding instead.
This non-story about Newcastle United’s second strip being the same colour as the Saudi Arabia flag. The owners aren’t messing with the black and white stripes. Until they do, this issue needs parking. It’s not even a gripe.
LAST WORD
Ticket sales for the women’s FA Cup final at Wembley today have exceeded 55,000. That’s a big hike on the previous best - by around 10,000. Let’s hope Chelsea and Manchester City put on a show. The signs are encouraging that the women’s game is growing. And a spectacle today will certainly help.
