Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media as “high level” Newcastle United aim to build on the momentum accrued in their tantalising draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
After a tricky few weeks on Tyneside with points spurned against Crystal Palace and West Ham, the Magpies bounced back in exhilarating fashion as they ended the Reds’ seven-game winning run in what has been dubbed a “classic” at St. James Park on Wednesday.
A sharp turnaround typical of December will see Eddie Howe’s side return to action on Saturday afternoon, with his Danish counterpart full of praise for the gaffer as we look to leapfrog the Bees this weekend.
Frank’s pre-match comments
Frank, perhaps with May’s 4-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium in the final game of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign in mind, predicts that Newcastle will be their “biggest test” of the season so far at home:
“This is an Eddie Howe team that’s up to its best. He’s done a brilliant job over the last three years. First, they stayed in the league. They got into the Champions League two years ago.
“And, last year, they were in the Champions League for the first time in a long time, they got the experience of that, and still managed to get seventh – that would’ve usually got a European place, but unfortunately didn’t.
“This season, I think they are back to the high level that they were at two years ago. I don’t think they’ve been rewarded enough with the points and results.
“They were brilliant at home to Arsenal, they were brilliant on Wednesday night at home to Liverpool, they were very good away to Chelsea – they were unlucky not to get something out of that game – at home to West Ham, they absolutely dominated them.So I think it’s an Eddie Howe team that is at its best and will be a big test for us; this will be the biggest test that we have faced at home so far this season.”
A tough away test for the Toon
Interestingly Brentford have went undefeated since Newcastle’s last trip to the capital in matchday 38 last season, usurping the rest of the league in this campaign for home form, picking up 19 of 21 points available to them – being held to a one-all draw by West Ham.
However, if recent weeks have proven anything it’s that we are up to the challenge. The Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea preceding the Arsenal win and three-goal second half at the City Ground.
Of course, the Liverpool draw that followed the disappointing Palace and Hammers results ultimately define what has been a topsy turvy season for Howe. and co, who can take further solace in the fact we have won on our last three visits to Brentford.
Regardless, another opportunity for Newcastle to build momentum as previous chances have gone awry, and handing the Bees their first home defeat of the season would be a major announcement for the Toon to make ahead of the quarter-final at SJP on December 18.