Thomas Frank has been reflecting on Brentford’s defeat to Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe’s side by far the better team and the visitors fortunate to lose by only two goals.
Thomas Frank admitting that ‘On the day, we lost to a better team than us.’
Not surprisingly, the Brentford boss pointing to his side’s defending as a major factor in the defeat.
However, I think Thomas Frank is clutching at straws a bit when claiming that if not conceding bad goals from their point of view, Brentford could have potentially fought back late on, if not conceding all of the three goals. Reality is that the Bees were really lucky that the woodwork saved them twice and I lost count of how many very good Newcastle chances, flashed just the wrong side of the post.
Thomas Frank reflecting on Newcastle United knocking Brentford out of the Carabao Cup:
“On the day, we lost to a better team than us.
“We didn’t defend well enough, that was the key thing.
“You can’t go to St James’ Park and concede the three goals we conceded.
“We need to do better.
“I will look into it, everyone needs to look into it, there’s no doubt about it.
“It sounds a bit crazy maybe but, beside the two goals in the first half, they had nothing.
“In these cup games, you need to try to stay in the tie and hopefully be better in the second half.
“But we gave two bad goals away and then the third one too.
“Our goal for 3-1 was a beautiful goal, so now imagine if it was only 2-1…
“The pressure builds in the last four or five minutes and you never know what can happen.
“That is the irritating part but it is what it is. “
Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Tonali 9,43 Schar 69
Brentford:
Wissa 90+1
Possession was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%
Total shots were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3
Corners were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5
Touches in the box Newcastle 35 Brentford 23
Newcastle team v Brentford:
Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)
Unused Subs:
Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly
(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports