Frank predicts Brentford ‘will get better and better’

Brentford: Thomas Frank

Brentford 1 Hull 1


Brentford boss Thomas Frank insisted his new-look side will improve following their draw at Griffin Park. 

It was a lacklustre performance overall from the Bees, and with new faces in the starting line-up the kind of fluency so common at home last season was absent against the feisty Tigers. Ollie Watkins’ scrambled home in the 73rd minute spared them a second successive defeat.

“I am 100% sure that we will only get better and better and better throughout the season,” Frank declared.

“We showed hunger and desire and had some massive chances that on another day go in and we win.”

Christian Nørgaard made his debut in midfield while, surprisingly, both Kamo Mokotjo and Said Benrahma had to settle for spots on the bench.

Brentford needed to make a strong impact against their visitors from east Yorkshire after their shock home Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Cambridge United in midweek. However, it was Hull who pressed in the opening spells, Kevin Stewart testing Bees keeper David Raya with a fine effort from long range.

Finally, Sergi Canos shot straight at George Long in the Hull goal when presented with a good opportunity from eight yards. Moments later, though, there were chances at each end, firstly Jarrod Bowen tested Raya before Henrik Dalsgaard raked a shot across the Tigers’ goalmouth.

While there was more urgency from Thomas Frank’s men at the start of the second half, Hull caught them cold when they deservedly went ahead in the 53rd minute.

The threatening Bowen was left unmarked on the right-hand side of the penalty area following a corner and composed himself before crashing a shot past Raya. Indeed the Tigers could have doubled their advantage a couple of minutes later but Raya did well to turn away Tom Eaves’s net bound drive.

Canos almost brought an equaliser for Brentford but the winger’s curling effort went inches past the post.

Frank then made a couple of changes, bringing on Benrahma and Josh Dasilva for Norgaard and Luka Racic.

The risk paid paid off when the Bees levelled immediately. Watkins bundled the ball home amid a close-range melee after Hull failed to clear the danger from the right. The striker nearly made it two only to see Long produce the save of the match.

Brentford finished with a reasonable flourish but had a let-off when Kamil Grosicki’s free-kick came off the base of the post.

Brentford: Raya, Henry, Jansson, Racic (Benrahma, 71), Jeanvier, Mbuemo (Forss 82), Norgaard (Dasilva 71), Jensen, Canos, Watkins, Dalsgaard.