Brentford boss Thomas Frank (left) and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (right). (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Brentford boss Thomas Frank (left) and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (right). (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Brentford boss Thomas Frank (left) and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (right). (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thomas Frank has hailed St James’ Park as ‘one of the greatest stadiums’ in England - and expects it to be rocking tonight.
Frank’s Brentford face Newcastle United with a place in the last four of the Carabao Cup up for grabs. The two teams last met 10 days ago with the Bees running out 4-2 winners at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“It was a very good win against a very good team that I respect massively,” Frank said.
But facing Newcastle in their own backyard brings a totally different challenge. Eddie Howe’s side have only lost three times on Tyneside in 2024.
An aerial shot of St James' Park, the home of Newcastle UnitedAn aerial shot of St James' Park, the home of Newcastle United
An aerial shot of St James' Park, the home of Newcastle United | Getty Images
“We are going to St James’ Park, it is one of the greatest stadiums in the country,” Frank continued. “The fans will be up for it under the floodlights, it’s going to be heated so we are looking forward to playing in that atmosphere. I think they have fantastic fans and they create a great atmosphere.
“It’s a very good team coached by a very good manager in Eddie Howe and his coaching staff - they’ve done a top job. The last game they beat 4-0 against Leicester and just before we played them they played the game of the season against Liverpool and probably deserved more than just a draw.
“It is going to be a tough challenge in every aspect but we’re up for it, looking forward to it. We’re really taking this competition seriously and we really want to progress to the semi-final.”
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Frank added: “On paper, Newcastle are favourites, a massive club at home but we fancy ourselves.
“They will come flying out. Late kick-off, under the floodlights, home at St James’ Park to get to semi-final. I am very aware they have not won anything in I don’t know how long so of course they will do everything they can to get a title.
“They’ve been very close in the last couple of years, I think they’ve got the team to win something so they will take no prisoners. They will go after us but we are ready for the challenge.”
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