Brentford boss Thomas Frank is well aware of how much it would mean to Bees fans to get victory in tonight’s derby against Queens Park Rangers. 

Frank’s side head into the clash at the Brentford Community Stadium undefeated in six games, including Tuesday night’s 1-0 victory over Barnsley at Oakwell. 

With just two goals conceded in those six matches, Brentford have rediscovered the defensive mettle that propelled them to within whisker of Premier League football last season, and look set for another assault on the upper reaches of the Championship table this time around.

And ahead of tonight’s clash, Frank is aware of the attacking threat Rangers will bring but backs his defence to deal with the threat.

“We know it is a local derby and a big game for us, for the fans, and for QPR. Again this year, QPR look good on the eye. 

“On their day they play some really attractive football going forward. We need to be aware of that and we need to defend very well. 

“Ilias Chair is a key player going forward, Bright Osayi-Samuel is lightening quick, and Lyndon Dykes suits their team up front. 

“We want the fans there every time but especially for a first West London derby in the new stadium, that deserves a full crowd. It will come one day and we look forward to that.”

Despite heading into Friday’s fixture unbeaten in six, only two of those games have resulted in victory for Frank’s side.

Normally so proficient in sharing the goals throughout the side, the Bees have been overly reliant on the goals of strikers Ivan Toney and Marcus Forss up until now, with the duo netting 15 of the 18 goals they have scored in the league this season.

Bryan Mbeumo is one player who has struggled, with the Frenchman only mustering a single strike this campaign, compared to his 16 last season. 

And Frank is keen to combat that aspect going forward, with the Dane eager for more players to get on the scoresheet to help the promotion push.

“It is a fact that others need to step up and score goals. We cannot only rely on Ivan Toney, or Marcus Forss coming off the bench, to chip in with goals,” the Dane said.  

“We need to have goals from our wingers. They want badly to score; it is not a lack of will, sometimes you are just in a spell where you struggle to get it over the line and into the back of the net. 

“Also some of the Eights need to chip in with goals. They know that. We are working on it and it will come. We know they can score goals.”