Frankly, Kristoffer should be scoring more for the Bees
THOMAS FRANK has challenged Kristoffer Ajer to pitch in with more goals as his Brentford side bid to pull further away from the drop zone.
The 25-year-old defender has scored in two successive games, his latest being the club’s injury-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last Saturday.
The Bees entertain Brighton tonight and head coach Frank, below, wants Ajer to continue to be an attacking threat.
Ajer was a midfielder for his first club
IK Start before joining Celtic in 2016. But a glut of midfielders at Parkhead meant the Norwegian moved to his nowfamiliar place at the back.
“Kristoffer scoring is very positive although he should score more,” said Frank. “For the United goal he was calm to finish in that situation. It was a very good finish.”
Ivan Toney will look to break a six-game goalless streak in the Premier League – but his manager is not complaining.
The England striker was the provider for Ajer against United and won praise for his all-round play. Frank believes Toney is only now getting the proper plaudits for his contributions.
“After England against Belgium last week it seemed to surprise quite a few how good he was in his all-round play,” said Frank.
Roberto De Zerbi is not among the contenders to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Brighton may still lose their head coach in the summer, however. De Zerbi is understood to be a top target of Bayern Munich’s to replace Thomas Tuchel.
He said his side’s injury issues were a far bigger concern than speculation about his future as he prepared to welcome back top scorer Joao Pedro after a two-month absence.
“The focus is on the pitch,” he said.
BRENTFORD (probable): Flekken; Zanka, Collins, Ajer; Roerslev, Janelt, Jensen, Reguilon; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa.
BRIGHTON (probable): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Gross; Adingra, Lallana, Fati; Welbeck.