FRANK’S HUGE RESPECT FOR KOMPANY & ‘SUFFERING’ BURNLEY

BRENTFORD boss Thomas Frank will not make the mistake of underestimating Burnley despite their relegation worries.

Vincent Kompany’s side swept to the Championship title last season but have found the going tough in the top flight. They have lost 20 of their 28 Premier League matches and sit 10 points adrift of safety.

The Bees have also endured a testing spell, with a recent late 2-1 defeat (right) at leaders Arsenal their sixth loss out of the last eight matches. Frank (left) maintains his squad cannot afford any sense of complacency at Turf Moor this afternoon ahead of the international break.

“Every game in the Premier League is difficult. It is clear that Burnley have suffered but we have also suffered over a period of games,” said Frank.

“I watched Burnley’s game against Bournemouth at home (which ended in a 2-0 defeat) and they completely dominated, especially in the first half with something like 75 percent possession Burnley are a team I hugely respect. You can see what Vincent Kompany and his coaching staff are trying to do.

“So we need to be prepared and it is about us – we need to perform.”

After all the plaudits for last season’s impressive promotion – which saw Burnley finish with 101 points – Kompany has found himself under the spotlight after managing only three wins so far. Frank, though, has plenty of sympathy for any fellow coach going through a difficult run. “100 percent I feel for all my colleagues when they are in a bad spell. It is at times a very lonely job,” said Frank. “There are a lot of people who want to help you and support you, and I have a fantastic staff around me. “But sometimes you are just on your own. It is me who has to sit and answer questions (from the media) or need to take the blame, the praise or whatever. When you speak to colleagues and exchange experiences, that is very valuable in many, many ways.

“I can put myself in his position. Without following him closely, he seems to handle it well in a tough season.”

Brentford, who beat Burnley 3-0 earlier in the season, start the day 12 points ahead of the Clarets. Kompany’s men are rated certainties by bookies to go down at 1-40. The Bees are 11-1 to be relegated.