Thomas Frank
Is a top 10 finish possible?
It is remarkable the season we’re having at this moment in time. It’s funny sometimes how the narrative changes quickly in football – two losses or wins means either you’re in a relegation battle or you’re looking at top 10. I think one of our strengths this season is that we have been focused on the next training; I just literally said that to the players so it’s not just me talking and talking. It’s important we focus on the next training [today], the next game [tomorrow] and focusing on ending as high as possible – so that’s the aim and that’s been the aim all season. We just want to go out and play with that confidence. We’re obviously having the moment with a big discipline to game plan/principles and big determination – we can play with that and hopefully, perform, and get a result against Watford.
Sean Dyche sacking
I don’t know what happened behind the scenes. Looking from the outside and as a Brentford head coach, I think there are a lot of things we can learn from a club like Burnley. They got promoted, relegated and promoted again – they’ve been here six years in the Premier League. I think it’s remarkable what they’ve done – Sean Dyche and his coaching staff have done an unbelievable job. They should build a statue of him outside Turf Moor, because what he has done with his coaching staff is incredible. Every season, going into the Premier League with a bottom three budget and still be able to compete, and not even survive but also get a couple of top 10 finishes in the Premier League, is a fantastic remarkable job. I remember there was one year where how can he not be the manager of the year a few years ago, so I think he’s done a top job. I think, that’s my personal opinion, they would have a better chance looking from the outside keeping him trying to survive because he knows everything, but of course, I don’t know everything.
Ivan Toney
He’s playing for the team – Ivan is a fantastic team player. I just showed some clips to him this morning – defending our own box as a left-winger so he’s a top team player but hopefully, he can score more goals for the team, and for him. I think Ivan, like a lot of other players in our team, have taken the jump to the Premier League quite smoothly if you can say that. Aware that we need to perform and compete every day – he’s done top but there’s more to come from him. He still needs to push.
Watford challenge
I expect them to come flying out. I watched their recent game against Leeds – I think Watford were a tiny bit better than Leeds; I think Leeds were lucky with two top finishes. The second goal was a mistake by Watford, but a top finish after 20 minutes, nothing in the game and still created some chances, and could have got back in. I expect them to come with everything; high intensity and presence. Do everything they can to stay, because I should know Roy Hodgson badly or any professional football player that they don’t want to fight until the end, they still have a chance and they will go for that 100 per cent.
