Thomas Frank wants his players to give Griffin Park the send off it deserves during Brentford’s promotion run-in.
Frank’s side host table-topping West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening, bidding to cut the gap on Slaven Bilić's high-flyers which currently stands at eight points.
And with the Bees set to move to the Brentford Community Stadium for the start of next season, the Dane is challenging his men to cap an evocative farewell for their 116-year home.
“I think they walked hand-in-hand, the promotion dream and the farewell season,” he said.
Beautiful as always ❤
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 26, 2020
It's not going to be the same without you but it's good to be back#BREWBA | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/h24DIGMn81
“It was linked beautifully in how we wanted to utilise both things together. The biggest thing with home advantage is fans and when they’re not in there anymore it’s not the same.
“We’ll miss them but we’ll do the best we can to make them proud and make sure they have a memorable season.
“Let’s imagine we are making it very magical and getting promoted – then they’ll remember it as they would have done the last six games of the season.
“We play for them. They’re with us in our hearts when we go onto the pitch.”
Frank’s side returned from the Championship lay-off with an impressive 2-0 triumph at Fulham last weekend, as goals from Saïd Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes maintained the pressure on the Baggies and second-placed Leeds.
And the Bees are now boosted by the return of Bryan Mbuemo, who has formed a formidable strike partnership with Benrahma and Ollie Watkins and racked up 14 league goals this season.
🗣 "This will be a game between two extremely good football sides who want to dominate the game and attack"
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 26, 2020
Thomas looks ahead to tonight's mouth-watering clash
👉 https://t.co/QRVguaP7QG#BrentfordFC #BREWBA pic.twitter.com/dkln28Txks
Mbeumo tested positive for coronavirus and was forced to miss Saturday’s outing at Craven Cottage, but is available for Friday’s tussle where Brentford can cut the gap on the automatic promotion places to just five points.
Midfielder Sergi Canos is still ruled out but Frank reckons the Spanish star could also be set for a return before the end of the season.
“Sergi Canos is getting closer and closer and looking sharp,” he added.
“Hopefully he can soon be ready for selection.
“And Bryan is fine. He had no symptoms, is fit and is in the squad.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article