I’M BEESY-GOING
Brentford boss Thomas insists he can handle the pressure of the Prem despite seeing red
BY JACOB MURTAGH THOMAS FRANK insists he can cope with the pressure of a Premier League survival scrap.
The Brentford boss was given his marching orders by referee Peter Bankes at full-time as Ruben Neves struck late on to condemn the home side to a fourth straight defeat.
Frank received a caution (above) after clashing with Wolves’ Joao Moutinho, then was shown a red card (above right) for his “aggressive” reaction to the booking and faces a touchline ban.
He said: “I got a yellow card after a confrontation with a Wolves player, then I turned round to Peter and said, ‘You can give me a second one as well’. He said it was because I was turning around and too aggressive.” The charismatic
Dane went viral for his passionate post-match interview following defeat to Manchester United in midweek before his frustrations got the better of him at the Brentford Community Stadium.
He said sorry to his players afterwards but insists he can handle the heat of battle.
“I’m not feeling it no, there is no extra pressure,” said Frank “The last game was frustrating because of the football gods – they didn’t want it to go our way and we worked so hard. I was just talking very honest.
“This game I was calm going towards the ref and had no intention of saying anything to him or the players, then something kicked it off. The referee said I was too aggressive.
“I said to the players to control their emotions and not get stupid cards, so it’s not good enough. I wasn’t calm enough.
“That could also happen in another game but it is random that is two games in a row.”
Ivan Toney’s volley just after the break cancelled out Moutinho’s opener and looked like earning Brentford a point.
But Neves struck late from outside the box to give Wolves victory in a game halted for 20 minutes in the first half due to a drone flying overhead.
Wolves defender Toti Gomes was relieved to see a red card for a foul on Kris Ajer overturned by Bankes after a monitor check with the visitors leading 1-0. But VAR denied substitute Adama Traore a third goal as he was adjudged to have strayed offside.
Brentford mustered just one shot on target. However, the impending arrival of Christian Eriksen should provide some cutting edge to their attack. The former Spurs star is set to join their Danish contingent in west London on a short-term deal for the rest of the season.
He has not played since a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark in the Euros but has been training with his former club Ajax to stay fit.
Frank, who has agreed a new deal at Brentford, added: “We need to improve our quality in the final third in terms of crosses, passes and decision making.
“If we can make this team better for the right price, we will. That’s what we look for in every window.”