Manager Watch - Thomas Frank

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Is nobody concerned that yet again we employ a manager totally different to the predecessor?

No strategy, no joined up thinking yet again.

This is not a slight on Frank who appears to have done well with what he has had to deal with so far but I can't help but think he is doomed before he starts because he will not have "his players"

Not really concerned at all, imo.

This might be the first time when I felt the manager fit the club, and what we are trying to do, like a glove.

I think Frank is extremely adaptable with his tactical approach - based on the players he has available. I think he can take the existing players, and make them better.

And, if we are being honest - I don't think anyone can adequately describe the type of football we have played under Ange for the last 18 months - so its hard to be "totally different." Unless, by totally different, you mean "well coached".

 

[Dakes]

I like that he wants to bring a sizeable team with him. Just hope Levy stretches the budget for it and Brentford allow it. After Ange I think it's a bit of a red flag at this level not to have a trusted team. I believe Ten Hag is similar.

Yeah, it's the one thing I found strange when Ange joined and was surprised he's done as well as he did without a trusted team he's familiar with and who understands his philosophy inside out. I think he would have done a lot better here if he came with his own established team. He should consider it going forward if he ever wants to manage in a big league again.

 

[tototoner]

Is finishing 10th next season with no trophies acceptable for Frank's first season?

Yeah

Remember when he took over Brentford it took him 10 games to get his 1st win

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Fitness coach is a MUST... open the vaults!

 

[Albertbarich]

Anyone called Perryman is welcome .

 

[Guntz]

Great news.

No point shelling out £10m in compensation for a manager and not letting him bring in own staff.

 

[Thenewcat]

I'd be happy with no more than 3 coming in in this window tbh. I don't think we are a million miles away and like you, believe tactics played a huge part in players looking less than their par. Minimal incomings this window should also allow us to spend once the manager is certain of what we actually need.

As we stand right now I think an 11 of

..............................Vicario
Porro.......Romero.....VanDerVen....Udogie

..................Bentancur...Bergval

.......Kulu..............Madison........Johnson/Son

................................Solanke

This is actually a strong starting 11 if set up correctly with the right instructions. Obviously based on opinion you could move one or two players in and out of that and I wouldn't have too many complaints such as a dedicated DM or WF, but many of the main ingredients are there imo.

I think we need an elite WF and a 6 for the first team and ideally one more full back who can cover at least 2 positions. We’ve got too many LWF but otherwise the squad isn’t cluttered either. Don’t really get the negativity about the squad, and it should only get better with the age profile and good coaching

 

[Dakes]

I've been refreshing all day awaiting the announcement but it looks like we're still trying to assemble his coaching team, thus delaying the announcement. Might have to wait a few more days.

 

[Led Revolver]

The more of Frank’s team he’s has at Brentford the better. He needs the right ingredients to do the job his own way.

 

[TOLBINY]

Left Man Utd about a week ago due to role been reduced

So no compensation to pay - makes sense!

 

[Gingernut]

So no compensation to pay - makes sense!

The Daniel Levy way...

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I am already picturing the dressing room after we win the Super Cup:

 

[cjbyid]

I like that he wants to bring a sizeable team with him. Just hope Levy stretches the budget for it and Brentford allow it. After Ange I think it's a bit of a red flag at this level not to have a trusted team. I believe Ten Hag is similar.

Yeah I always found it weird how Ange operated by having no set team behind him.

 

[Gassin's finest]

The man knows how to beat the Gooners at least:

 

[WannaDanceWithUdogie]

The whole backroom coming with encourages me, particularly after the troubles Ange and Nuno faced when they came alone

 

[mil1lion]

First thing I want is for us to be tough to beat at home again

 

[Jamturk]

Not really concerned at all, imo.

This might be the first time when I felt the manager fit the club, and what we are trying to do, like a glove.

I think Frank is extremely adaptable with his tactical approach - based on the players he has available. I think he can take the existing players, and make them better.

And, if we are being honest - I don't think anyone can adequately describe the type of football we have played under Ange for the last 18 months - so its hard to be "totally different." Unless, by totally different, you mean "well coached".

This line about him being "adaptable" is based on him managing 1 club who have to fight to maintain their status every year.

They mostly play teams that leave them spaces to attack.

Our club is not like this, we are a big club, most teams have to adapt to us.

Does Frank have the answers to break down deeper defences? I have my doubts.

His teams are physical and direct, we are far from that.

I feel like it will be similar to Mourinho/Conte where we were solid but not creative enough to break down teams and end up giving away silly goals at the back.

I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[bubble07]

Do assist coaches also have release clauses? I assume they do and it's just a case of buying out the remaining years of their contracts

Slightly pessimistic that we won't be getting the the coach tipped to replace Frank. Before a couple of days ago I didn't know he existed but now think it's a key appointment

 

[spursville]

Can you name more than 3 players (or even) out of the current squad who are really deadwood?

Werner and Reguilon are gone, Gil is not needed anyway.

You can make a case to upgrade Dragusin, Bissouma, Richarlison, and thats pretty much about it. And i hardly call them deadwood. Two of them played a good part winning the final.

There are a lot of players in the squad who I'm guessing quite a lot of us on here have not been convinced by. The list is debatable but long and we need to be ruthless:

Son - waning significantly. Sad to watch. Sell.
Maddison - lasting 90 minutes, work off the ball and being available is a problem
Vicario - makes some of us very nervous. Can't dominate area or set pieces. Not great with feet.
Johnson - underwhelming and very unpopular by many on here. Sell high now!
Sarr - has he got any better? Can he pass?
Bentancur - OK but still not the same since the injuries
Davies (enough said)

Frank may develop many but few of our squad are top four quality. Not many of them would get into the starting elevens of the top four and none of the players I have listed above would start for a top four club. Presumably we want to be in the top four and challenging for honours. We have no world class players any longer so presumably we need to clear out as many as possible in order to get some really high quality in otherwise we will finish out of the top 6. If not, what are we aiming for? I'm guessing Levy just wants to pay lower wages and have us hovering around 7th.

Porro, Romero, VDV, Udogie, Bentancur...Bergval, Kulu, Solanke plus 2 or 3 high quality players who are even better might turn the tide or at least emulate the kind of great first eleven that Poch had - Kelleher, Reijnders, Zubimendi, Cherki, Cunha etc. etc. ….Oh wait. Never f*cking mind. As you were .

 

[1882andallthat]

Perryman - We’ve had one of those before and it worked out rather well for us .