FIVE-POINT PLAN

1 STAY STRONG

Only Norwich boasted a better xg last season than Bees, who will play on the front foot when they can. Their defensive numbers were also impressive, though: they allowed sides 8.4 shots per game, the joint- fewest in the league. It’s now even more important that they balance their old attacking instincts with this new solidity.

2 KEEP THEM GUESSING

When Brentford stuttered last season, Thomas Frank switched formation from 4- 3- 3 to a fluid version of 5- 3- 2, with midfield maestro Christian Norgaard slotting into the back three. It bamboozled a number of opponents – most notably Swansea in the play- off final – so the flexibility is an asset, and it’ll be interesting to see if Frank sticks with his innovative second setup.

3 EMBRACE CHANGE

It wasn’t so long ago that a trio of summer signings from Dagenham & Redbridge was, for Bees fans, the high point of a close season. How times have changed. They have since been spoiled with the quality of arrivals, and can’t wait to welcome new hidden gems – such as Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka, work permit permitting – who’ll provide the reinforcements they need.

4 PROTECT DASILVA

Josh Dasilva was one of the Championship’s standout players during the past two seasons. The 2018 free signing from Arsenal, now aged 22, is a powerful box- to- box midfielder capable of scoring spectacular long- range goals. Provided he overcomes the injury issues that plagued him last season, he is a top- flight star in the making.

5 STICK TO YOUR GUNS

Frank’s squad is very young – Pontus Jansson is the elder statesman, at 30 – but the club’s rise from League Two to the Premier League has been founded on the principle that accepted footballing wisdom is something to be defied. From bringing in free- kick coaches to scrapping their youth academy, Brentford are often ahead of the curve – and so far, this approach has worked superbly. They won’t change tack now they’re among the big boys.