Frank admits Brentford’s automatic promotion chances are slim

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Thomas Frank admitted that Brentford’s automatic promotion hopes are fading in the wake of a 0-0 draw at home to struggling Birmingham City.

The Bees could not break down Lee Bowyer’s side – currently 21st in the Championship table – and lacked both confidence and fluency.


Birmingham keeper Neil Etheridge was in excellent form to earn the industrious Blues a valuable point, leaving Bees boss Frank disappointed.

Brentford remain third, nine points behind second-placed Watford, who have played one more game.

Frank said: “We try to do it but it’s not easy. We know how many games are left but of course it is up to Watford to lose.

“They are in a really good position and it is theirs to lose. We can only focus on ourselves and turn that margin into a win against Preston on Saturday.

“We need to show a top attitude and togetherness and I am 100% sure we can win on Saturday.

“We created really good situations tonight and big chances with Sergi (Canos) and other bits. No disrespect but you understand the strategy from Birmingham, who came for a point.

“Norwich destroyed Huddersfield tonight but it’s about us. When you look at the four games (draws) there should have been a winner and it should have been us.”

 

“We have to look at the performances,” he added. “Why are we not getting wins? Is that quality or margins not going your way? It is a little bit of everything: hard work, good attitude which is what I have seen in the last four games.

“We lack a little bit of confidence at times going forward, but it is a lot of things.”

Frank also admitted that injured duo Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva are struggling to return before the end of the regular season.

“Going forward it’s not the next couple of weeks but a race against time to get him (Henry) ready for 8 May, at the end of the season,” said Frank.

“He is the best left-back in the division and we could have used him, but the players who have stepped in have done a good job.

“With Josh Dasilva it could be earlier but could also be a race against time for him too.”