TO BE FRANK, WE REALLY NEEDED THAT

BRENTFORD striker Neal Maupay admitted that a first win for new boss Thomas Frank was a huge and timely boost.

The Bees’ top scorer turned provider with assists for secondhalf goals from Sergi Canos and substitute Ollie Watkins.

Frank was promoted from the No.2 position after Dean Smith’s move to Aston Villa – and the Dane had suffered defeats in his first three games.

In total Brentford, second in the Championship in mid-september, had gone nine games in all competitions without a win.

And French forward Maupay (above) said: “It was a big win for the team because we have been struggling for the last month and a half.

“We have got a new manager and new staff, and things have changed in the past couple of weeks. It hasn’t been easy for us but this was good for everyone. We must keep it going.

“After nearly two months without a win it didn’t matter who scored as long as we won. I gave two assists, and Sergi and Ollie got the goals. Everyone was happy.”

The Lions are very much a Jekyll and Hyde team – strong at The Den, but toothless away from home where they have earned just two points this season.

Defender Murray Wallace said: “Our form is good at The Den, but it is so important for us that we start picking up points on the road.

“We have the belief and confidence in ourselves at home, and have to just carry that over into away games.”