THE OLLIE AND THE ENVY
Clubs are queueing up for Watkins but Frank says Bees must hold on
WEST BROM v BRENTFORD
Championship: 3pm
THOMAS FRANK insists Brentford cannot afford to lose top-scorer Ollie Watkins next month.
The 23-year-old striker, snapped up for £1.8million from League Two Exeter two years ago, is now one of the most coveted forwards in the Championship.
Watkins (scoring against Cardiff, right) has netted 13 times already this season – and that has seen the Bees slap a £25m price tag on him with Crystal Palace and Sheffield United both keen.
Fourth-placed Brentford travel to league-leaders West Brom today chasing a historic first-ever promotion to the Premier League. Danish manager Frank eventually had to see last season’s top-scorer Neal Maupay leave for Brighton in the summer.
But he said: “It is important, no matter what, to keep Ollie – and our other key players – in the January transfer window.
“Especially when he is the top scorer in the team, and also one of the top scorers in the
Championship. He also knows now we believe in him – it can take a new player a while to adapt. He gives us goals, but plenty of off-the-ball work, and brings a lot to the dressing room.
“We bought him pretty cheap, look at what Fulham paid for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who I really admire – maybe £22m or more?
“And maybe Ollie does capture what Brentford are all about. We don’t have the big money, but we have created this unique environment to bring in and develop players.”
Slaven Bilic insists West Brom “cool guy” Romaine Sawyers can handle the heat as he prepares to face his old club.
The Baggies head into the halfway stage of the season in top spot and 12 points clear of third-placed Preston.
Midfielder Sawyers played 135 games in three years for Brentford before returning to The Hawthorns last summer.
Boss Bilic said: “It’s a big day for Romaine because it’s always special when you play against your old club, especially one where you did well.
“I speak very often with him and he’s handling it with ease.
“He’s a cool guy and is always in the zone – he never looks stressed, just like when he’s on the pitch.”