Brentford’s season is not going off-course despite a 2-1 defeat at Luton Town insisted Thomas Frank. 

The Bees boss admitted his side’s performance at Kenilworth Road wasn’t up to the high standards they’ve set this term but maintained they’re still on course for their season’s aims.  

Shandon Baptiste’s own goal and Martin Cranie’s strike was enough for the Hatters as they held of a second half Bees’ onslaught that mustered an Ollie Watkins consolation.  

“The season’s not going wrong, but it’s one of the worst performances,” an honest Frank told BBC London.  

“The only one we can compare it too is the game against Preston, I haven’t seen it in a long time. 

“It’s a one off for me. 

“We didn’t hit our high level. 

“We started well, on top in the opening ten minutes, but goals change momentum.  

“We need to move on.” 

The defeat leaves Brentford without a win in four games, but the Bees boss was adamant it’s not always down to their own performances.   

“It’s a variation, it’s difficult to pinpoint but if we look at recent games, Blackburn we played a top game (2-2), Birmingham we did enough, but we didn’t win (1-1), this is the first bad performance overall since the fall. 

“We need to turn it around and go again against Cardiff on Saturday.” 

Injuries

The trip to Kenilworth Road saw Frank experiment with a back three consisting of Henrik Dalsgaard, Chrisitian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock, largely down to injuries. 

Injuries that Frank says that are having an effect on results despite the best efforts of the wider squad stepping in.  

“I think it’s more than bite,” he said of the effect injuries were having. 

“We have five key players out, Pontus (Jansson), Mathias (Jensen), Kamo (Mokotjo), Julian (Jeanvier) and Sergi (Canos), and Christian (Norgaard) went off today. 

“Six key players, players who are fighting for the starting XI, normally the younger payers step up, but of course we need these key payers.  

“It’s nice for them to get experience, but we like to win matches.  

“In general we’ve done well, but we need to points.  

“In sticky moments we need experience in there.”