Fans take issue with Thomas Frank’s ‘dominance’ claim after Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 2-0, ending the Bees’ unbeaten home record.
Goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga sees Nottingham Forest climb up to 4th in the Premier League, while it also ends their eight-game unbeaten home start.
And it seems for Brentford, who were playing their third game in less than a week, couldn’t handle a comfortable performance put in by Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank analysed the Bees’ defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“We played a game where, in big spells, we dominated and were on top. We lacked the last cutting edge to create chance, after chance, after chance – but I thought it was enough to score at least one goal,” said Frank.
“Nottingham Forest defended well in big spells of the game – they also played 5-4-1, which is the first time they’ve done that this season, even after going to Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, where they played a four[-man defence]. That’s a big credit to what we’ve done.
“Of course we need to learn from that and work out how to solve that better in the future. I still think we did enough to, on another day, play the same game again, get a different outcome.”
Ben Mee has spoken about his return to the Brentford starting XI and how he’s planning on staying there over the coming weeks.
“It’s been a bit frustrating for me so far this season, but I’ve been biding my time and I now want to get a run in the side and improve the team a bit,” he said.
“A couple of games in a few days has been a bit of a surprise to the body! But it’s been enjoyable to be back out there, [it’s] the first time I’ve started a Premier League game in 10 months.
“I was quite pleased in the way I handled things today, the way I went about. I finished the game quite strongly, so hopefully I can get my sharpness up and be involved in the next few games.”
🗨️ Thomas Frank felt we lacked a ‘cutting edge’ to turn our dominance into goals this afternoon@pensionbee | #BRENFO pic.twitter.com/ZnDiSuaxVe
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 21, 2024
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to PLP: “It was a good game, a tough game. We knew how hard it was going to be.
“We had to change [our approach] and the boys did well. It was about holding the result. Brentford caused us problems in the second half but we dealt with it, which shows the character and resilience in the team.
“We’re improving, becoming more mature in terms of control. Overall it was a good performance. Until the last minute it was about keeping the clean sheet. That save from Matz Sels [from Kristoffer Ajer] was huge for us.
“It’s not about the table. It’s about improving, realising that there is still a long way to go and that we’ve achieved nothing yet.”
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, speaking to PLP: “It’s a bit of a dream [to be in the top four]. It’s good to get the three points and good for the fans. They deserve it as well.
“We’re working well as a group. [The manager] has his philosophy and he’s brought that into the club. When he arrived it was a bit touch and go, but we’ve got the group now and we feel at ease.
On his goal: “When I was younger, I used to score goals left, right and centre. I’m just happy I got one today and helped the team get the three points.”
Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, speaking to PLP: “Most of the players were on the floor at the end. It’s difficult to come here. It wasn’t easy to get three points, but it was important to get them and now we just need to keep going.
“We’re full of confidence right now. We lost to Man City a few weeks back and that didn’t take our confidence away. It just shows the camaraderie we have as a team and the relationship we have with each other and the manager.
“The coach is an amazing guy. He’s someone who always wants to push me and get the best out of me. He’s been able to get his ideas across.
“We can’t really relax. We have a game on Boxing Day [at home to Tottenham]. We have to take it game-by-game. It’s good, but the season’s still very long. We’re just focusing on the next game now.”
On his second-half goal: “It’s just important to get myself in the box and into areas where I can score. I just want to keep clicking and being consistent in what I do.”
Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, (Roerslev 67 (Konak 90+5)), Collins, Mee, Lewis-Potter; Janelt (Maghoma 67), Nørgaard, Damsgaard; Schade (Carvalho 81), Mbeumo, Wissa
Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Yarmoliuk, Meghoma, Ji-Soo, Yogane
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Murillo, Milenković, Morato; Aina, Gibbs-White (Silva 75), Anderson (Domínguez 64), Williams (Toffolo 90+3); Elanga (Yates 64), Hudson-Odoi; Wood (Awoniyi 90+2)
Subs not used: Miguel, Ward-Prowse, Moreno, Boly
Attendance: 17,115
As mentioned, fans take issue with Thomas Frank’s ‘dominance’ claim after Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 2-0…
@gbeza70: What dominance? Didn’t really test their defence. Too slow in the attack and lots of sideways passing. Poor final ball, crossing and set plays. The only player that looked half decent was Damsgaard. Mee did ok for his 1st game back. Bryan off his game again and is too predictable.
@Chris78901: Dominance 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 the most arrogant manager in the league
@Trickyred1: Well you didn’t dominate the game at all.
@JamieBriody: Dominance? You played into our hands. Exactly how we wanted it.
@CityGroundShelf: Your WHAT Thomas?
@Jonny90nffc: We played a back 3 Frank, not a 5, we went to a 5 when we were 2-0 up. You got tactically outclassed today & were well beaten.
@Tnewton_1988: Dominance???? The only dominance Brentford had was the amount of free kicks they won for minimal contact! Arrogant toss pot! #nffc
@JPFOREST80: Great to finally get one over on #Brentford . Injuries are bound to have effected them but there’s no doubt we deserved to win that one. Frank is always good at talking himself and his side up, but he got out thought today by Nuno. This game was won on the sideline. COYR
@forestmad80: Do you actually think you played well today? I thought you were very average in truth and we never really needed to get out of second gear. Frank saying that you were dominant? Very peculiar! #NFFC
@Andy_midd84: 3 minutes of waffle when all you needed to say is Forest did a job on you and deserved the 3 points. Thanks anyway for the 🌳 points. Merry Christmas 🎄 🎅🏼
@wellardchris: I didn’t see you dominate at all. I saw you have possession in midfield. Which is exactly what we gave to you. You were dominated.
@bfckxvvv: Only thing we dominated was possession, and that was only because they sat back the last half hour knowing we didn’t then have the quality to break down a low block. Shit performance.
@RobertHartP: Dominance? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@lewistodd28: ‘dominance’ 😂😂😂
@gazza_thered: Arrogant and a sore loser 👍 thanks for the 3pts Tomarse!
@Hamish_Coventry: “Dominance”
@NFFCUREDS83: Dominance 🤣🤣🤣
@Rick_B83: He must have been at a different game?
Must have been watching a different game. Possession means nothing without goals! pic.twitter.com/M8GorZ3wgg
— Andy (@1andyhar) December 22, 2024
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