Thomas Frank calls for calm after Brentford promotion boost: 'West Brom are in a better position than us'

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Thomas Frank watched his Brentford side spark life into the Championship promotion race with victory over league leaders West Brom at Griffin Park but warned: “I’d still rather be in their position!”

Ollie Watkins’ first-half effort proved the only goal of the game as the Bees withstood the visitors’ second half pressure to close the gap on the top two to just five points, with seven games to play.

"I still think West Brom are in a better position than us and if I could be in that position I would prefer that,” Frank told Sky Sports.

"But we're really pleased with the performance tonight in many ways, defensively was 100% top, top performance.”

Watkins’ goal sent him level with Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic at the top of the Championship’s scoring chart on 23 goals, a remarkable return for a player who was only converted into a centre-forward when Neal Maupay was sold to Brighton last summer.

“All the praise to Ollie,” Frank added. “But I need to give a bit to the whole coaching staff and maybe myself a bit, too. [We’ve been] evaluating, talking about where do we need to have you in the box? What is the trigger for the cross? All these things.

“And from him, willingness to adapt, willingness to learn. But besides that, look at the pressing he did, what an effort, he’s a big part of driving the team.”

The victory over the Baggies made it back-to-back wins since the Championship’s restart, following last weekend’s dramatic late triumph against Fulham.

Frank’s side have kept clean sheets in both games and the Dane is delighted with how quickly his side have rediscovered the defensive solidity that has been so key to their promotion push, with only Leeds having conceded fewer goals.

“I think the team performed fantastically defensively,” he added. “From the first pressing player, from Ollie to Said [Benrahma], to Tariqe [Fosu], the whole team.

“The back four did a top, top, top job together with David [Raya], and Ethan, the mountain, Pinnock stood out. He’s a beast out there!”