GOOD FRIDAY? IT WAS THE BEST

MIKE WALTERS

THOMAS FRANK knew Brentford would rattle cages the moment they ambushed Arsenal on their first night in the Premier League.

The Bees go to Old Trafford tonight with no inferiority complex after reaching the magic 40-point survival mark with four games to spare. Brentford’s first campaign in the top flight for 75 years has been sprinkled with outstanding performances against some of English football’s big six – including a startling 4-1 win at Chelsea, a 3-3 draw with Liverpool, and that 2-0 win against the Gunners on Friday the 13th (of August).

And Frank’s underdogs will take on Manchester

United with no fear factor after their Danish pied piper told his players to be “brave” against aristocrats and peasants alike.

Frank (left) said: “What I try to do is to be consistent in the messages before every game – I try to ask them to be brave and reinforce it with video clips.

“I take the best parts out of each game and show them. I say: ‘Look, this is what you are capable of when you press high.’

“We have conceded only one goal all season – just one – by pressing high, but we have created a lot of chances by being brave in the final third through intensity and aggressive intent. Playing high up the pitch, instead of with fear, is so important. It’s not that often that a newly promoted team gets results against the top six. But I want to get points against every club.

“There’s no doubt that first win helped the players’ confidence, and the way we did it also helped massively because it was the best feeling.”