FRANK AND HONEST
Bees boss believes Etihad win is top shock
THOMAS FRANK admits getting a result at Manchester City would be a bigger shock than crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two Gillingham.
Having suffered penalties agony in midweek against a side placed 22nd in the fourth tier, Brentford’s Danish manager takes his team to one he calls “the best in the world”.
The Bees will see the 80 per cent possession they had against the Gills turned on its head against Pep Guardiola’s slick outfit.
But Frank insists that being on the wrong end of a stunning cup upset has reminded all at Brentford that anything is possible in football.
“Manchester City away is the toughest game, the toughest team in the world right now if you look how everyone else is performing at the top level,” said Frank. “It is the biggest challenge, so we are looking forward to that.
“We are in the games last season and can take things from that. We showed bits of those games to the boys this week.
“After Gillingham in midweek we are going from a game where we had the ball around 80 per cent to one where we will have it maybe 20 per cent.
“That requires a shift in mindset. City are probably the only team where you know almost no matter what that you won’t see the ball much and will run after it most of the time.
“We have things that will hurt them, even if not as much or not as often. And if we can go out to Gillingham, then we can also get a result at the Etihad.
“That is football. Though we are closer to City than Gillingham were to us, they are massive favourites. And it would be a bigger headline if we win or even get a draw. But we will get moments.
“It was painful losing against Gillingham on Tuesday. I put a strong team out and really wanted to progress, and it was more painful after seeing who went out on Wednesday.
“But I honestly think that result doesn’t happen 19 times out of 20. We had 16 shots, they had one. They scored all six penalties, we missed one. Sometimes things can’t be explained.
“We would, of course, like to end this part of the season on a high note if we possibly can. It won’t be easy, but we have never, ever gone into a game without the belief of being capable of winning it.
“I am convinced we can go to the Etihad and win. Is it going to be difficult? Yes, unbelievably difficult against potentially the best team in the world.”