Thomas Frank’s Brentford: Detailed Tactical Analysis of the 2020-21 Season
Since taking the helm in 2018, Thomas Frank has transformed Brentford into a formidable force in English football. Under his management, the club evolved from a lower mid-table Championship side to serial promotion contenders, reaching consecutive playoff finals in the past two seasons. Frank’s strategic approach and innovative tactics have elevated The Bees into one of the division’s most efficient and exciting teams. This analysis explores the key tactical elements that defined Brentford’s 2020-21 campaign.
Flexible Formations and Team Structure
A cornerstone of Frank’s management is his flexibility with team shape. Throughout the 2020-21 season, Brentford primarily employed a 4-3-3 formation, featuring it in 37 out of 48 league and playoff matches. However, as the season progressed, Frank adapted to a 3-4-1-2 structure to maximize the team’s strengths, demonstrating a readiness to alter tactics based on match demands.
More important than the basic structure is how Brentford uses positional rotations within these systems. Players often switch zones seamlessly: a wing-back might venture into central midfield as a teammate drifts out wide, creating unpredictable angles and channels. This positional interchange forms the basis for their high-tempo, possession-focused, and attack-driven “heavy-metal” football, characterized by aggressive pressing and proactive use of possession.
Squad Rotation and Key Players
Brentford’s success was not built on a rigid starting eleven. Eighteen players clocked more than 900 minutes, indicating both squad depth and a strategy of frequent rotation. The team’s spine included notable names:
– Ivan Toney, a prolific striker with 32 goals in 47 games, crucial to Brentford’s attacking output.
– David Raya, the reliable Spanish goalkeeper whose distribution initiated many attacks.
– Ethan Pinnock, a dependable centre-back, provided defensive resilience.
The squad also featured a strong Danish influence, with players like Mathias Jensen, Henrik Dalsgaard, Emiliano Marcondes, Christian Nørgaard, Mads Sørensen, and Mads Rasmussen providing key contributions in both midfield and defense. These core players were often supported by captain Pontus Jansson, fullback Rico Henry, and the energetic Vitaly Janelt.
In the final third, Frenchman Bryan Mbeumo stood out with 18 goal contributions, offering pace and penetration on the flanks, while Sergi Canós delivered creativity and versatility on the opposite side, adding 9 goals and 8 assists. Midfield maestro Josh Dasilva and the stabilizing presence of Janelt further enhanced Brentford’s engine room.
Pioneering Attacking Strategies
Brentford led the Championship with 79 goals in 46 league matches, outscoring all rivals, including promoted teams. Their attacking blueprint combined directness and precision. Vertical play through central channels congested the middle, purposefully drawing defenders in and freeing wide spaces for advancing fullbacks or wing-backs.
Key components of Brentford’s attacking game included:
– Swift central transitions to exploit space.
– Aggressive pressing creating instant counter-attacking chances.
– Overloading central areas through a compact midfield trio.
– Inverted wingers interacting fluidly with central players.
Despite this central focus, the team displayed strong set-piece efficiency, scoring 12 goals from dead-ball situations. Ivan Toney’s penalty record was remarkable, converting all nine spot-kick attempts, while his aerial presence posed continuous threats during corners and free kicks.
Collective High Press and Ball Recovery
Among Brentford’s tactical trademarks was their relentless high pressing. The forward line, led by Toney and Mbeumo, set the tone by immediately closing down opposition defenders and goalkeepers. Brentford’s intense work rate often resulted in regaining possession high up the pitch, frequently launching swift attacks from turnovers.
This collective approach extended across the squad, with every player participating in pressing triggers and covering spaces vacated by teammates. The press operated as a tool not only to recover the ball but specifically to create goal-scoring opportunities. This proactive style echoed modern pressing teams in Europe.
However, the aggressive high line and group pressing brought vulnerabilities—if an opponent bypassed the initial wave, Brentford’s defensive shape could be exposed, especially against quick counterattacks. To deal with the demanding nature of this approach, Frank frequently rotated his outfield personnel, sustaining energy levels and tactical sharpness across the season.
Building from the Back: Possession and Progression
Beyond their intensity without the ball, Brentford also excelled in controlled build-up play. Averaging 54% possession—the fourth-highest in the league—they often set up in possession as a 3-4-3 or shifted into a 3-1-4-2, even when starting with a 4-3-3.
In these structures:
– The deep-lying midfielder, often Christian Nørgaard, dropped in to support centre-backs, forming a three or four-player buildup platform.
– Fullbacks advanced, while wingers moved into half-spaces or deeper to create passing triangles.
– Wide midfielders alternated between progressing the ball incisively (such as Josh Dasilva threading passes into strikers) or recycling and controlling tempo (with Janelt and Nørgaard offering stability).
– Mathias Jensen contributed with creative long balls and incisive passing, further diversifying Brentford’s options in possession.
This tactical variety allowed Brentford to maintain patience when needed, circulating play and waiting for the right opening to accelerate into attacking transitions.
Summary: Brentford’s Rise Under Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank’s tenure has propelled Brentford into the Championship elite, with the club reaching the Playoff Final in consecutive seasons. His strategies—built on flexible formations, intense pressing, structured build-up play, and effective recruitment—have established a blueprint for sustained success. The aggressive, modern football played by Brentford under Frank blends some of the best tactical elements seen across Europe’s top clubs.
Regardless of final promotion outcomes, Brentford’s consistent improvement suggests that a Premier League berth is on the horizon. Their innovative approach continues to serve as a model for aspiring clubs across English football.
