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Thomas Frank accuses Nottingham Forest groundsman of INJURING Brentford’s goalkeeping coach

Thomas Frank accuses Nottingham Forest groundsman of INJURING Brentford’s goalkeeping coach in some bizarre pre-match scenes.

The Bees boss has accused a member of Forest’s groundskeeping team of injuring one of his coaches prior to his side’s 2-2 draw at the City Ground on Saturday.

The incident occurred as Frank’s team were warming up prior to the Premier League game following a late own goal from Brentford’s Mathias Jorgensen.

As goalkeeping coach Manuel ‘Manu’ Sotelo went through some pre-game drills, a dispute emerged between Sotelo and one of Forest’s ground staff who had wandered into the penalty area.

The two were spotted having some heated exchanges of words, with Sotelo appearing to attempt to shove the unnamed member of staff, who was carrying a long digging fork, away from the Brentford players.

Forest concluded in an investigation that the groundsman had entered the area of the pitch the visitors were warming up in to tell them to move on as they claimed Brentford had breached Premier League regulations on how long teams can spend in the penalty box during the warm-up.

Frank later explained that Sotelo, who previously worked at Forest as a goalkeeping coach under Aitor Karanka, had suffered an injury during the incident.

‘Yes he got a mark. Something gave him a mark and I have even got a picture.’

‘I have a bit of a temper so I am not an angel all of the time and I try to be the best version but my goalkeeping coach is the most down to earth guy, there must be something really p***** him off.

‘I just hope like everyone is looking into it. There must be cameras.’

The 49-year-old went on to explain that he had never seen anything like this during his time in the game.

‘But in all my time in football and, especially all my time in the Premier League, I have never seen a groundsman walking around in the middle of our warm-up doing things.

‘I don’t know if that is a coincidence, but it just surprised me very much.’

Forest boss Steve Cooper elected not to comment on the incident in its immediate aftermath.

The game itself saw the home side go 1-0 up in the 20th minute thanks to summer signing Morgan Gibbs-White, but his effort was cancelled out before half-time by Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

The away side then took the lead in the second-half, as Yoane Wissa went one-on-one with Forest keeper Dean Henderson before chipping the ball over him to put the away side in front.

But Forest fought on right when the Bees looked set to be coming away with all three points, their lead was taken from them in the sixth minutes of added-time.

Gibbs-White’s low drive was cleared off the line by Ben Mee, but his clearance wasn’t enough as the rebound deflected off Mathias Jorgensen and into the goal, bringing Forest back level at the death.

Player ratings

Nottingham Forest: Henderson (5), Williams (6), Cook (6), McKenna (6), Aurier (6), Freuler (6), Yates (6), Kouyate (7), Gibbs-White (8), Johnson (7), Dennis (6).

Subs: Awoniyi (6), Lingard (6), O’Brien (6), Surridge (6).

Brentford: Raya (6), Roerslev (6), Mee (6), Pinnock (6), Henry (7), Jensen (7), Janelt (6), Dasilva (6), Mbuemo (7), Lewis-Potter (5), Wissa (8).

Subs: Canos (N/A), Jorgensen (N/A), Ghoddos (N/A), Onyeka (6), Damsgaard (6).

Player of the match: Morgan Gibbs-White.

Brentford goalscorer Yoane Wissa: “We were leading 2-1 but the last 10 minutes were unbelievable for them. We did a great job until the last 20 seconds to concede that goal.

“It is not job done because every time we want to win. We got a point here and it is tough to play here.

“I just touched the ball and it went over [Dean Henderson] to score. I like to go in behind the centre-backs so they know how to use me. They know how I can get chances to score or be involved.”

Was it a penalty in the first half? “100%. After I missed the ball I looked at the referee and said it’s a penalty. He went to the VAR and made the right decision.

“We came here to win but we made a draw so it’s a good point. It’s a bit tough when we play away so finally it’s good, just not enough.”

Nottingham Forest goalscorer Morgan Gibbs-White: “I think we deserved three points. We got cheated out of three points. It was two errors that cost us. We gave the ball away for their penalty and lost the ball again for the second goal. We battered them really.

“We got cheated out of it. I looked at the penalty back and don’t have a clue what the referee has seen. We came in at half-time angry but we had to use that emotion to get back into the game.

“We got that equaliser right at the end which I felt was fully deserved but we should have got three points. I’m just happy we didn’t come away with no points.”

On his goal: “Finally it’s come. I got the ball, saw the space and dribbled past a few players. It took a deflection and went in. It was a wonderful feeling. Hopefully I can keep building from there.

“We’re still getting used to each other so we have to look at those good moments and build on that.”

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo: “Of course it is tough. We knew it would be a hard game. We went 1-0 down and managed to come back. Afterwards they had some good balls in our box. We didn’t manage to stop the goal.

“Maybe if we could have scored some of our chances at 2-1 it would have been better.

“[Yoane Wissa] played a great game. He did exactly what the gaffer wanted, playing in behind and coming short. He played a very good game.”

Brentford manager Thomas Frank: “Of course that’s tough to take when you’re leading in extra-time. I’m proud of the team. We’re a little bit down to the bare bones with injuries.

“All the players stepped up in a difficult away ground. We went 1-0 down. Liverpool played here two weeks ago and couldn’t come back. The way we played the second half made me very proud but when you lead 2-1 in extra-time you have to win.

“I thought it was very difficult for the referee. I think he did brilliant. The late goal has nothing to do with him as that’s the VAR control room. I believe in trust so I decide to trust them.

“We didn’t win enough of the second balls and then we lacked the quality. We adjusted it in the second half and looked very good.

“Yes. Clear penalty.

“Yoane Wissa is a different type to Ivan Toney. He did a good job.

“There’s no easy games in this league. Not against any team. When you go 1-0 down you saw what happened to Liverpool and West Ham. It’s not easy to comeback. Right now it’s just painful.”

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates: “There was a massive moment for us at the end. It was a game we couldn’t afford to lose but we feel it’s two points dropped. We need to be winning these games at home.

“The fans are going to be behind us the whole way. We showed that belief and never-say-die attitude. But there is an overriding feeling of disappointment. We had a spell in the first half where we thought we could have put it to bed then a controversial decision went against us.

“You don’t usually get to see it but it was on the big screen. My opinion is when you slow something down so much you’re probably going to find something. We could have defended it better from back to front so need to look at ourselves first not the referee.

“Delighted for [Morgan Gibbs-White]. He deserves that goal. There’s more to come from him and all of us.”

More from Ryan Yates to BBC MOTD: “That shows the togetherness in the dressing room. There’s a lot of new players but we’re fighting for each other. Every point will be huge.

“We need to put in better performances than we did today. We’re at the City Ground and need to be winning those games. We’re certainly not satisfied with the point.”

On the penalty decision: “It was a tough time because I thought we started the game quite well. For that to happen – it’s very difficult for the referee – but if you slow it down and see it five or six times then you probably are going to find something. It’s a different game then.

“We need to start faster in the second half but it’s certainly two points dropped from our point of view.”

More from Brentford manager Thomas Frank to MOTD: “Yes. It’s a very tough game. It’s a beautiful game that gives so much joy as well but right now it’s painful. I am proud, I will say that. We are down to the bare bones a little with a lot of key players out.

“We started well then they got a little bit more on top. We managed to come back with a fantastic second half. Apart from the last six minutes, we did everything right in the second half.

“Clear penalty to me.

“Brilliant ball in behind and a brilliant finish [from Yoane Wissa] as well so well done.

“Right now when they equalised so late it’s painful and you feel you should have got more but it is what it is.”

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper speaking to Sky Sports: “We played well for 30 minutes, we were more than good for the lead. I didn’t like us for the last 10 minutes of the first half – we made some unforced errors which were self inflicted.

“In terms of the penalty if the referee has given one he has to give four, we feel the one on [Emmanuel] Dennis in the first half and then [Ryan] Yates is worse than the one given against us and the one on Morgan [Gibbs-White] in the second half as well. We feel hard done by and it’s pretty plain to see. The system let the referee down more than a little bit. We’re feeling that luck was against us but the goals we conceded as well. Great to show heart in the end and get something out of the game but I have mixed feelings about the game today and fighting hard to bite my tongue.”

On Brentford’s penalty: “I don’t think that was a penalty and I spoke to the referee and he knew Dean [Henderson] had touched ball. If he’s got to look at screen for that one he’s got to look at three others. He doesn’t have to overturn it, he can stand by his decision.

“First 35 minutes we were good, by far the better team in terms of tactics and looking like we’d score. I liked what I saw. Second half was a bit nip and tuck, I can’t think of Dean making any saves really. We were much better than last week and as good as we’ve been for a while with the ball. I’ve got mixed feelings and I will always look at ourselves first before I blame decisions so I want to look at how we improve and look at good things we did.”

On Morgan-Gibbs-White: “He was excellent, real threat, pleased he scored because in the end players who play there have to have goal involvement and also assists and goals. Brilliant individual goal, good move so we’re pleased with that and come up with the goods. he was probably best player on the pitch today.

“We were the better team and we feel we have been let down so it would have been hard to walk off with nothing. Fair play the players kept going, never once have I really questioned the spirit and willingness to do well, except maybe against Arsenal a bit. We kept going today and that was pleasing to see.”

Social media users reacted after Thomas Frank accuses the Nottingham Forest groundsman of INJURING Brentford’s goalkeeping coach…

@Andy44726579: Forest trying everything stay in the league aren’t they 🤣🤣

@bendcfcthorpe17: Gotta be the scummiest club in the prem, will try anything to win and still couldn’t, sooner they’re relegated the better

@billycoe1: Forkin’ ell

@RedDogNF: Var checking this as we speak

@Redtilimdead1: Still checking, and it could go into Monday 😂

@incrediblegrump: That is pathetic. 😂

@bethanie78: Brentford are a horrible horrible club with the biggest wanker of a manager.

@isaac_hibberd: Hahahah what a prat

@TheOfficeNFFC: Why exactly are their coaches harassing a groundsman?

@PaulJ5168: Rules are rules… Hope Forest stand by their man, only doing his job

@hicksydan: Ground staff have pitchforks – only one winner there

@ngnffc: Richard Keogh found that out 😂😂😂😂

@markjamess13: BRENTFORD AGGRO BRENTFORD AGGRO

@1986_legend: Red card for the groundsman

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