Was it mind games on behalf of Brentford boss Thomas Frank? A cheeky attempt at reverse psychology? Or just some honest praise for a Premier League rival? Most likely the latter. But before Saturday's 4-2 drubbing of Newcastle United the Bees manager waxed lyrical about how the 'old' version of Eddie Howe's side were well and truly back.
“This season I think they are back to the high level of two years ago. I don’t think they’ve been rewarded enough with points and results," Frank told a press conference. “If I see their games, they were brilliant at home to Arsenal, brilliant at home to Liverpool, very good away to Chelsea – unlucky not to get something out of the game. Home to West Ham, they absolutely dominated them.
“So, I think it’s an [Eddie Howe](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/eddie-howe) team that is up to its best and so it is going to be a big test for us. This will be the biggest test that we’ve faced at home so far this season.”
Frank is right. [Newcastle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) have looked close to their brilliant best against some teams this year. However, their inconsistency is causing major frustration both inside the St James' Park dressing room and among the ever-passionate fan base.
Newcastle looked, in the opening 45 minutes on Saturday, to be matching Brentford in their own backyard. Something only one team - West Ham United - have managed at the Gtech Stadium this term. The second-half was a different story entirely as Howe's men reverted to type and struggled to lay a glove on their opponents.
One moment summed it up perfectly. A long free-kick floated over the top of the Magpies' defence, Fabian Schar flailing to head it clear, Joelinton losing his man and defender Nathan Collins poking home to make it 3-2.
As Brentford celebrated, the cameras panned to the Brazilian, who looked down at the floor dejected, shaking his head vigorously. An equally perplexed and angry look sketched across his face. Meanwhile, there was a look of pure fury on the face of team-mate Dan Burn, as he ranted and raved at such a soft goal being conceded.
Newcastle endured a similar second half display when conceding three goals to Liverpool in midweek, while last weekend saw a soft equaliser netted by Crystal Palace at the death. The north east outfit are suddenly giving away stupid goals out of nowhere.
What makes this point even more frustrating is the fact that earlier in the campaign it was the defence who were bailing Newcastle out as their attackers failed to fire.
“It’s frustrating because before the last few games, we were looking really tight at the back and the problems were probably at the other end of the pitch," Howe said at full time. "In the last two games, we’ve scored five goals and looked a really good attacking team, but lo and behold, we go and concede seven in those two games from nowhere really. It’s difficult to work out.”
Newcastle now go into a must-win set of games with the pressure firmly back on. The north east outfit must now beat Leicester City next weekend and earn revenge against Brentford in the Carabao Cup in less than two weeks.