**Capital Football have interviewed ex-Brentford player Fredrik Hammar. Now at Belgian side KV Mechelen, the Swede reflected on his time in west London half-a-decade ago.**
**_Fredrik, how did your move to Brentford from Akropolis IF come about in 2019 come about?_**
"To be fair I wasn't signed by the first-team but by the U23's. They had this scouting programme where they put players in. So it was not too much about Thomas Frank but more the data system that found me. So I was there for the U23's and closing in on the first-team. And when I didn't get the game time I decided to move on and try to play more first-team football."
**_The only game you played for the first-team was against Stoke City in the EFL in January 2020.... you must have been a bundle of nerves that night at Griffin Park?_**
"No, not too much to be fair. I was well-prepared and I always want challenges for myself. But I still remember it today, it's a very nice memory."
**_The club got promoted to the Premier League in 2021. Are you surprised that they've stayed in the promised land ever since?_**
"Not at all. When I was there I was also in the stands when they lost promotion to Fulham (in 2020). Pontus Jansson was the captain there and we're still close friends today. We've kept in touch even after I left Brentford... it's a club that's doing good and where you are surrounded by really good people. So I am not surprised at all."
**_What makes Thomas Frank special?_**
"I think he's a very good person on a human level. He sees you... and if you do good you get what you deserve."
**_Will it be difficult for the Bees without him? They have a shaky start to the season..._**
"I have all faith in Brentford that they will solve it. But it's a big loss because I think Thomas is a great coach."
**_Bryan Mbeumo was no doubt a talented player back then. But did you expect him to become a 20+ goals a season player and join Man United for £71m one day?_**
"No, you can never expect that from a player they signed from Ligue 2 to become and do this thing. But it's nice when people can do it, it makes all the guys including myself believe a bit more."
**_Things don't look quite so good for Norgaard though as he's behind Rice, Zubimendi, Nwaneri and Merino in Arsenal's pecking order... will he become a vital asset for the Gunners down the line?_**
"I can only speak highly about Norgaard. When I was there he was a lovely person and took care after me. I tried to learn as much as possible from him. I think Arsenal wouldn't buy a player they don't believe can play for them."
**_Will Brentford stay in the Premier League this season?_**