Brentford’s Evolving Approach: Tactical Analysis for the 2022/23 Premier League Season
Brentford entered the 2022/23 Premier League campaign under a cloud of skepticism, with many experts predicting a downturn associated with the notorious “second season syndrome.” Despite these doubts, Thomas Frank’s side made a bold statement early on, most notably with a commanding 4-0 win over Manchester United. This tactical analysis explores Brentford’s impressive adaptability, their evolving system, and examines the keys to their potential for another successful top-flight season.
Brentford’s Tactical Identity: Transitioning to a 4-3-3 Formation
Late in their first Premier League season, manager Thomas Frank executed a pivotal shift from the 3-5-2 setup to a 4-3-3 formation. This change has since become central to Brentford’s style, providing the attacking trio with greater freedom and balance while retaining the team’s adaptive edge—they still have the capacity to switch back to a back three if circumstances demand.
Summer recruitment underscored this tactical flexibility. The signing of Aaron Hickey, a player comfortable both at full-back and wing-back, reflected Brentford’s desire to fill multiple positional needs. In midfield, new addition Mikkel Damsgaard and the fit-again Josh Dasilva injected both creativity and depth.
At the back, David Raya has cemented his status as first-choice goalkeeper, contributing both with the gloves (holding a 74% save rate at the season’s start, ranking sixth in the league) and with his composure in build-up play. He faces competition from Thomas Strakosha, but his distribution and calmness are vital to Brentford’s approach. Defensive leader Ben Mee provides much-needed stability, often partnered with Pontus Jansson, while Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry supply energy and width. Injuries to Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer have tested depth, but the structure holds firm.
In midfield, Mathias Jensen has reclaimed a starting role, with Christian Nørgaard anchoring play as the defensive pivot, and both Janelt and Dasilva rotating in the third slot. Up front, Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo form a well-balanced duo—Toney’s physicality and aerial threat complementing Mbeumo’s pace and movement. They are joined by either Keane Lewis-Potter or Yoane Wissa, providing Brentford with multiple options for their fluid front three.
Dynamic Build-Up: Creating Space from Deep
Brentford’s possession play emphasizes both speed and variety. The full-backs (or wing-backs, when shape dictates) regularly push high to expand the pitch and create overloads in wide areas. While the team is set up to play short from the back in a 2-4-1-3 shape, Raya is not afraid to bypass opponents with long goal kicks—69% of his restarts are launched, often traveling an average of 55 yards.
Key midfielders, especially Christian Nørgaard and Vitaly Janelt, excel at providing outlets between opposition lines. Nørgaard’s progressive passing—connecting on over 81% of long attempts and averaging 4.41 passes into the final third per 90 minutes—is instrumental. Mathias Jensen consistently drops deeper when necessary, sometimes filling in at left-back, enabling Henry to move forward and ensuring build-up does not stall under pressure.
A hallmark of Brentford’s approach is their willingness to play long, direct passes—ranked fifth in the division for long passes per match. Ivan Toney thrives as the target man, bringing others into play and forcing defenses to open up space for Mbeumo to exploit with runs in behind. This blend of directness and intelligent movement makes the Bees unpredictable, capable of progressing the ball quickly while remaining patient when required.
Attacking Philosophy: Speed, Transitions, and Set-Piece Mastery
Brentford’s most dangerous moments come not just from possession, but from seizing upon transitional opportunities. Ranking joint-third in direct attacking speed at 1.58 m/s, they capitalize on opposition turnovers with devastating pace. Their attacking strategy often involves rapid surges involving the front three, frequently producing high-quality chances with minimal build-up.
Despite averaging just 45% possession and one of the lowest pass counts per sequence in the league, Brentford consistently find the net—they are among the highest-scoring sides through directness and efficiency rather than volume.
Crossing is another vital weapon; they rank fifth for crosses per match. Rico Henry’s delivery is instrumental, especially when facing compact defenses. Set-piece routines are a particular strength—last season, 40% of their goals came from these situations, and they remain near that figure (33%) this season. Without Christian Eriksen, Mathias Jensen has stepped up as chief set-piece taker, with support from Mbeumo and Toney for various dead-ball duties.
Brentford’s offensive set-pieces often see the entire outfield involved in the box, seeking to overwhelm and confuse markers. Movements such as circling a specific area create chaos, enabling headers from close range and capitalizing on mismatches—mirroring tactics once famously used by Burnley.
Defensive Fundamentals: Pressing and Reactions to Transition
Energy and adaptability underpin Brentford’s defensive approach. The team presses high when the opposition attempts to build from deep but are equally capable of dropping to a compact low block, often settling into a 4-5-1 or 5-3-2 to limit space in their defensive third.
Their front-footed press forces many opponents into hurried long balls or costly errors—Brentford win possession in the final third 5.7 times per match. Mathias Jensen exemplifies their aggression, averaging 24.3 pressures per 90 minutes. However, this high-energy approach sometimes leads to inefficiency—Brentford rank near the bottom for pressure success and have the lowest tackle percentage in the division at just 32.9%. Defensive lapses, particularly after turnovers, contribute to a higher-than-desired concession rate.
To counter quick opposition breaks and minimize risk when committing heavy numbers forward, Brentford designate three players as a defensive safety net around the box, while others crowd the penalty area. If their counter-press fails to immediately regain the ball, the team rapidly regroups into a solid defensive structure, often using the touchline as an “extra defender” in wide zones.
Conclusion: Brentford’s Path Toward Premier League Stability
Brentford have carved out a unique identity among Premier League clubs by seamlessly merging old-school set-piece expertise with forward-thinking tactical flexibility. Their blend of long passes, aggressive pressing, and lethal transition play makes them a constant threat regardless of the opposition. Despite some vulnerabilities in defensive efficiency, their dynamic, attack-minded style continues to yield results—highlighted by a goal-scoring rate among the league’s best.
With Thomas Frank at the helm and key players thriving in their roles, Brentford look well-equipped not only to avoid the pitfalls of a difficult second season, but also to contend for a top-half finish if their attacking prowess and tactical cohesion endure throughout the campaign.
