Brentford manager Keith Andrews emphasised the significant progress his team has made this season following a hard-fought goalless draw with Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. The result extended Brentford's recent run of draws to five consecutive matches in the Premier League.
Frank Returns as Andrews Assesses Progress
The match held added significance with the attendance of former Brentford head coach Thomas Frank, who was watching his old club for the first time since his dismissal by Tottenham Hotspur in February. Andrews, who was the surprise appointment to replace Frank last June, acknowledged the Dane's substantial contribution to the club's recent history.
"It's really good that he's come back to watch the game because he's been a huge part of this club's recent history, as everybody knows," Andrews stated. "I think that this game is quite a poignant one because it showcases for me where we've come in the space of seven months."
A Marked Improvement From September Defeat
Andrews specifically contrasted Saturday's performance with Brentford's 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage on September 20th, where Fulham were clearly the superior side. The manager pointed to this comparison as evidence of his team's evolution under his stewardship.
"At Craven Cottage on September 20, Fulham were the better team and deserved to win the game," Andrews recalled. "I think you can see the evolution of our team. They'd been together for numerous years under the same head coach, and now we are a team that can compete with anybody in this league."
Late Drama Denies Brentford Victory
The Bees were denied a dramatic late winner and potential revenge for their earlier derby defeat by an exceptional save from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in stoppage time. The German shot-stopper produced a stunning reflex stop to deny Dango Ouattara from point-blank range after Keane Lewis-Potter's low cross.
Leno admitted he wasn't initially certain he had kept the ball out, telling TNT Sports: "These moments in the last minute are always the best. It was a difficult one. I wasn't even sure if the ball was in or not but then I saw all my team-mates coming over to me. It was a good moment and it was important for us because I think we deserved a point today."
Fulham's Frustration and Injury Blow
Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed disappointment with the result, particularly after his team had won their previous three matches. The Cottagers failed to register a single shot on target throughout the contest, with Ryan Sessegnon firing their best opportunity over the crossbar.
The visitors also suffered a significant setback when Alex Iwobi was forced off with a hamstring injury before half-time. Silva acknowledged this impacted their performance, saying: "It was not the result we wanted. We came with a mission to win the game. We drew and we should not be pleased. We were more dominant first half. The moment we lost Alex had an impact."
Andrews Defends Draw Streak
Despite Brentford's inability to convert draws into victories recently, Andrews remained positive about his team's performances. He highlighted the quality of opposition they have faced during this five-match sequence and suggested they haven't deserved to lose any of those games.
"It's five draws where I'm struggling right now to think of a game that we deserve to lose," Andrews explained. "So that will give you an indication around the opposition that we faced within that time and the performance levels."
The result leaves Brentford continuing to push for European qualification, demonstrating the progress Andrews has overseen since taking charge seven months ago. With Thomas Frank watching from the stands, the current Brentford manager made a compelling case for the team's development under his leadership.
