As if the task facing sides set to play Manchester City wasn’t big enough Thomas Frank has put into context just how tough a task his Brentford side face tonight by saying he thinks City can repeat their treble success this season.
City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup last year – becoming just the second English club to do so – in a season that will live long in the memory.
While some would see such an achievement as a one-off, Frank feels Pep Guardiola and his players could match the feat.
“They are flying at the moment, I think it is 10 wins and a draw in the last 11 games,” Frank said. “They are on track for doing the undoable – winning the treble again. I don’t think any team in the world in history has won the treble twice as a club.
“It is still possible for them, of course they will not talk about it – Pep will say ‘no, no, no. One game at a time’. All that boring stuff like I do!
“They have got the best players and best team in the world. End of discussion. With perhaps the best manager in the world.
“Do players or managers have that hunger or determination any more? Do they lose it? It doesn’t feel like they lose it – they can do something never done in history and I think that is what drives them every single day.”
Brentford also did what some might consider the ‘undoable’ – the double over Guardiola’s side. Ivan Toney scored twice in a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in November before Ethan Pinnock’s late goal gave Brentford a 1-0 victory in the reverse game on the final day of the campaign.
The sides come into the match with differing forms. City have won their past eight in all competitions while the hosts have won just two of their past 10.
“It’s going to be unbelievably difficult for us on Monday night, but the good news for Brentford fans is that we have big belief and big determination,” Frank admitted.
“We know that we are difficult for any team to play against, even Man City. The percentages are against us to win the game, but we believe we can.”