THOMAS FRANK

called for more protection for his highly-rated striker, Neal Maupay, following Brentford’s goalless draw.

Frank was forced to take the Frenchman off in the second half after he had been booked and said: “The official needed to protect the key players. You should see the scratches all the way down Neal’s back.’

Birmingam boss Garry Monk said of Maupay: ‘Diving is in his make-up. He does it in every game.’