Thomas Frank - Head Coach

[Kandi1977]

The training ground complex is just insane! What a place! And with the stadium added, no one can say Levy hasn't delivered! Now it's just about delivering trophies more regularly.

 

[billyiddo]

Vinai needs to improve his table tennis skills.


I like that the bats aren't red

 

[braineclipse]

The training ground complex is just insane! What a place! And with the stadium added, no one can say Levy hasn't delivered! Now it's just about delivering trophies more regularly.

If Frank wins one that would be two successive managers winning a trophy with us... Has that happened before?

Think we're building a team that can and should compete for trophies, if not this season then fairly soon.

There are still holes in the squad, but window by window they've been getting fewer and fewer. If Frank can make this squad tick we could be in for a really good time.

 

[Kandi1977]

If Frank wins one that would be two successive managers winning a trophy with us... Has that happened before?

Think we're building a team that can and should compete for trophies, if not this season then fairly soon.

There are still holes in the squad, but window by window they've been getting fewer and fewer. If Frank can make this squad tick we could be in for a really good time.

Absolutely. The thing is that we could field a pretty strong XI with virtually only under 23s! The potential is big with the young players we have. Kinsky, Phillips, Dragu, Vuskovic, Udogie, Spence, Gray, Bergvall, Sarr, Donley, Odobert, Tel, Yang, Moore, Kulu, Johnson, Van der Ven.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

The training ground complex is just insane! What a place! And with the stadium added, no one can say Levy hasn't delivered! Now it's just about delivering trophies more regularly.

It would be interesting to get an insight into the thoughts running through new managers heads as they are shown round Hotspur Way. As you say, the level of facilities and finish are insane.

I think I'd have a mix of emotions, nervous that being given all that to use creates expectations but also having all that to use, creates possibilities.

 

[Gazza Dazzla]

Vinai needs to improve his table tennis skills.


I like that the bats aren't red

Embarrassing bat skills! Vinai out

 

[harr1984]

Vinai needs to improve his table tennis skills.


I like that the bats aren't red

Frank was just as bad, on the couple of occasions Vinai managed to get it over the net Frank couldn't even return it.

I was genuinely surprised, whilst not expecting olympic standard I thought a football manager would be a bit more coordinated than that....

 

[DaveT316]

Seems like he’s settling in well. The whole Vinai and Frank videos all seem very smooth.

There’s a really bullish way of looking at this all, which is that we finally have the right people in place to genuinely push on within the structure of this club. If Vinai can be a good complement to Levy and counter balance some of his caution, that’s a great thing. And then with Frank, have we finally got the manager that genuinely doesn’t eventually reach the point where he decides he simply needs a handful of world class purchases? Will he continue to develop and adapt and make do. And all the while keep pushing us on?

There’s an interesting topic I’ve been seeing discussed online with Spurs around the idea that over performance is easier with Brentford (lowest wage bill and top half finishes) than it will be with Spurs, because there’s so little room to squeeze more against competitors that are just so strong. The bull case is that Frank is the perfect guy for Spurs, the one we ideally would have had years ago, even pre Poch, or before AVB. Those managers had a system, and would develop young players, but Poch in particular (not to mention Conte and Harry) reached the point where they thought that no matter how much they squeezed out of young players and refined their system, it was world class transfers that would help us take the next step.

With Frank, he’s not a system ideologue, but he does say he tried to win every game. So it may not always look the same, but the goal will be to win. Is that actually what we’ve needed all along? Or will he reach the point that he needs real top level, proven players to keep progressing?

That’s the bull case. And also maybe the bear case is that nothing much changes. Maybe his flexibility gets us back to the 4-6 range. And then in a couple of years we’re wondering whether to stick or twist.

A secondary bull case though is the idea that we are now singing young players yes, but ones that are a higher tier to the ones we were signing in the late 00s, or even early-mid 10s. I think we have the stadium to thank for that. But I look at guys like Tel, Bergval, Gray, Udogie, and even players like Romero and Porro, and I think maybe there’s a chance if it all comes together at the right time we CAN win the league. These are a class above the players we were signing before, still maybe a tier down from those the richest clubs are signing, but maybe we’re not as far in terms of quality as we were before.

DL has said he wants to win the Premier and Champions League. So do I! Let’s see if this team of coaches and players can do it.

Apart from the table tennis 'match', if you can call it that!

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Frank was just as bad, on the couple of occasions Vinai managed to get it over the net Frank couldn't even return it.

I was genuinely surprised, whilst not expecting olympic standard I thought a football manager would be a bit more coordinated than that....

The pressure of being filmed

Tbh id quite like a squad table tennis ko tournament being set up. Make great SM content. (Got to be one of the low injury risk, outside of training activities they can do?)

 

[glasgowspur]

 

[thfcsteff]

Of all the players we're being linked with right now, which do you think would suit Frank and us best? I love Eze, would want Eze, and wanted him a year ago; is he still the right player for our squad? Would we do well with a Wissa? Where do people think Frank will shuffle the current pack for new players? And if you could choose one Brentford player that fits the sort of budget we work on, who would it be? I'll say Damsgaard...

 

[LutonSpurs]

If he signed a new contract I could see Frank making him into what we suspected he could be: a monster of a midfielder.

Bringing this here..

I read that Frank is very focused on individual development with players. I think Biss could really benefit if the new boss can figure out why he has those off days and remedy it.

He has all the ingredients to be so much more of a player

 

[Raziel]

Of all the players we're being linked with right now, which do you think would suit Frank and us best? I love Eze, would want Eze, and wanted him a year ago; is he still the right player for our squad? Would we do well with a Wissa? Where do people think Frank will shuffle the current pack for new players? And if you could choose one Brentford player that fits the sort of budget we work on, who would it be? I'll say Damsgaard...

I don't see Eze as the priority, I think that 10/central role under Frank is Deki (Frank demands a lot physically from that role) with Maddison as the backup. Yes, there will be an argument to -> if you can get a quality player, do so, just worried about the prioritization

Personally felt Mbeumo was the player that both improved us and had a obvious role/spot in team to cover (I see Johnson coming inside more), RW to me is our weakest spot.

Wissa similar to Eze, but could fly more as a Richi replacement.

Damsgaard I don't get, think we have a lot of good midfielders, don't see his ceiling being any higher and my concern is below, knowing Spurs he'll never play for us.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Of all the players we're being linked with right now, which do you think would suit Frank and us best? I love Eze, would want Eze, and wanted him a year ago; is he still the right player for our squad? Would we do well with a Wissa? Where do people think Frank will shuffle the current pack for new players? And if you could choose one Brentford player that fits the sort of budget we work on, who would it be? I'll say Damsgaard...

Of all the players linked Mbueno. Because of his finishing. Massively outperforms his expected goals. But realistically will we outbid united? Unlikely. If they sign him on top of Cuna and don’t undermine their confidence with their circus (let’s hope they do) then they should see a big improvement. If we’d signed Cuna and Mbueno we would be excited for the season ahead. Or Eze and Mbueno. Which is still possible.

 

[yiddo37]

Mbuemo if possible, would bring a lot to the first 11. Damsgaard is decent but a poor man's Eriksen.
Would have Mbuemo ahead of Eze but if Utd get him then Eze would be a quality addition.

 

[thfcsteff]

I don't see Eze as the priority, I think that 10/central role under Frank is Deki (Frank demands a lot physically from that role) with Maddison as the backup. Yes, there will be an argument to -> if you can get a quality player, do so, just worried about the prioritization

Personally felt Mbeumo was the player that both improved us and had a obvious role/spot in team to cover (I see Johnson coming inside more), RW to me is our weakest spot.

Wissa similar to Eze, but could fly more as a Richi replacement.

Damsgaard I don't get, think we have a lot of good midfielders, don't see his ceiling being any higher and my concern is below, knowing Spurs he'll never play for us.

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Damsgaard's injury record before last season was not good for sure, but he had a full season last so hopefully behind him? I see him very much as a squad player who could rotate with Maddison and produce similar results without costing an arm and a leg (albeit IF we ever went for him there'd be 'Frank tax' I suppose). There is a good case to be made that either Devine or Donley might well have similar tools (I really like Donley) and perhaps the summer will be that acid test.

I see the current allure of Mbuemo but he just feels over-priced to me. he's had one big year in his career (last year). I think it'd be a gamble at the prices being asked. Wissa's another who enjoyed the best year of his career in a significant way. I think the reason I'd spend on Eze over others is versatilty plus age. I agree it still leaves Johnson needing more direct RW competition (unless we consider Deki as part of that RW squad equation or is he just another versatile forward).

 

[Raziel]

Damsgaard's injury record before last season was not good for sure, but he had a full season last so hopefully behind him? I see him very much as a squad player who could rotate with Maddison and produce similar results without costing an arm and a leg (albeit IF we ever went for him there'd be 'Frank tax' I suppose). There is a good case to be made that either Devine or Donley might well have similar tools (I really like Donley) and perhaps the summer will be that acid test.

I see the current allure of Mbuemo but he just feels over-priced to me. he's had one big year in his career (last year). I think it'd be a gamble at the prices being asked. Wissa's another who enjoyed the best year of his career in a significant way. I think the reason I'd spend on Eze over others is versatilty plus age. I agree it still leaves Johnson needing more direct RW competition (unless we consider Deki as part of that RW squad equation or is he just another versatile forward).

No question, whoever buys Mbeumo is overpaying (and with us paying for Frank, Norgaard sold, Brentford is going to have even less need to sell), however for us (unfortunately more than United) think it's just such an easy piece of the puzzle (RW, pace, physical, scores and assists, allows us to play more the Johnson's role).

Eze is a good player, but feels like he's plan B, if all reports are to be believed (Palace wants to do a deal, willing to do installments and he wants to come), why isn't it done yet?

 

[Lilbaz]

I think if we can get the best out of him Maddison is better than eze.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

No question, whoever buys Mbeumo is overpaying (and with us paying for Frank, Norgaard sold, Brentford is going to have even less need to sell), however for us (unfortunately more than United) think it's just such an easy piece of the puzzle (RW, pace, physical, scores and assists, allows us to play more the Johnson's role).

Eze is a good player, but feels like he's plan B, if all reports are to be believed (Palace wants to do a deal, willing to do installments and he wants to come), why isn't it done yet?

Because signings are made in July for next financial year
Maybe we plan to use the son money and twist finalised that sale until after the Korea tour
I mean Arsenal did the deal for Zubamendi in Jan.. and he hasn’t signed

 

[Muttley]

Damsgaard's injury record before last season was not good for sure, but he had a full season last so hopefully behind him? I see him very much as a squad player who could rotate with Maddison and produce similar results without costing an arm and a leg (albeit IF we ever went for him there'd be 'Frank tax' I suppose). There is a good case to be made that either Devine or Donley might well have similar tools (I really like Donley) and perhaps the summer will be that acid test.

I see the current allure of Mbuemo but he just feels over-priced to me. he's had one big year in his career (last year). I think it'd be a gamble at the prices being asked. Wissa's another who enjoyed the best year of his career in a significant way. I think the reason I'd spend on Eze over others is versatilty plus age. I agree it still leaves Johnson needing more direct RW competition (unless we consider Deki as part of that RW squad equation or is he just another versatile forward).

The problem is that he signed a new deal running until 2030 in Jan 25. I could actually see Spurs showing interest before he signed but, as others have said, we would now be paying a premium for player that isn't perhaps elite. If we are going to push the boat out then it is Joao Gomes for me. He's combative, classy on the ball and is a leader. At 25, he makes Wolves midfield tick. Great age for us to get him for the long term whilst gaining experience.

The reason this is all relevant is that is if you could get a Gomes or Damsgard then you don't need an Eze as much as an Mbuemo. Give me Gomes, 25, and Mbuemo, 25, and I'm very happy. If the budget doesn't stretch to that then only get Eze and work on growing his goalscoring output.

The reason why your question is so tough is that we thought of Frank as the BMW man. More recently he's allowed Toney to leave and he's focused on the Wissa/Mbuemo partnership and got 39 league goals from them. So I'm clueless how he puts a formation together. I think he might get the best out of Solanke and Johnson, and could see Tel exploding into goals at some point. The problem is Kulu who hasn't found double figures in any recent season. As much as I like Madds, I have a horrible feeling he'll continue to struggle for peak fitness. He doesn't seem robust enough.