'Flexible' Frank 'a deep thinker' - Brentford fan on unseen attributes
Thomas Frank has many strengths as a manager.Perhaps his biggest quality is creating squad unity - it is why Brentford have thrived in the Premier League. He has managed - and improved - big names like Ollie Watkins, David Raya and Ivan Toney, but also ensured they still bought into the team ethic.Nobody in a Frank side is the star player - it is all about the team - and that shines through during games and also in the post-match lap of fan appreciation, which happens whatever the result.Frank seems to genuinely respect and value us supporters. His post-match applause of the fans always seems genuine and not tokenistic - never more so than after his eighth defeat in 10 games after taking charge. Following that 2-0 loss in December sleet at Hull - he still came over to the 300 of us to show his thanks, despite some fans calling for his sacking.Brentford's players clearly have a close bond with each other and also with Frank, who says he wants them to be "confident, but humble".He is never too high or too low - insisting on the "24-hour rule" to either celebrate a win or get over a defeat, before moving on.Frank always tries to play positively. He will never settle for a late draw if a win may be possible and never wants the ball played in the corner to protect a lead.He is also flexible - and has constantly evolved how the Bees play to fit a particular match or the players available, using 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations.Frank is a deep thinker and, if Spurs give him time, he will flourish. He is a big loss for Brentford, but nobody is bigger than the club and the succession plan will have been worked out ages ago.Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external
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