Frank left frustrated by Middlesbrough

Brentford 0 Middlesbrough 0

Julian Taylor at Brentford Community Stadium

Thomas Frank rued an afternoon of what-might-have-been as Brentford had to settle for a point at home to Middlesbrough.

The Bees’ head coach has now watched his team draw their last three home games, and for the vast majority of this forgettable affair that statistic never looked likely to be troubled.

Entertainment and Brentford went hand -n-hand during last season’s run to the play-off finals but too many key men were unproductive and not at their best against Neil Warnock’s well-drilled outfit. Middlesbrough have the best defensive record in the Championship – and today illustrated exactly why.

The visitors restricted the Bees to only a couple of clear efforts in front of goal, with Vitaly Janelt blazing wide from six yards on the hour, when the Boro net should have been bulging.

Compared to last term, Brentford lack imagination at times and never really dominated their opponents at any stage. Frank did reckon though that the Bees could have won.

“We played a good game, not a top game,” he said. “We gave nothing away then the way they play is completely different to 22 teams in this division.

“When a team does man-marking, it’s different and you need to handle that. They are very good at it and the one v one duels are crucial. We need to understand Middlesbrough are a good team and it was tight game. I sense there is better to come.

“If we take the chances we would win this game. But we didn’t hit the highest level offensively. Sometimes you need that bit of magic. Sergi Canos, Josh DaSilva and Bryan Mbuemo tried hard but it didn’t happen. They need to raise their level."

Frank added: "It was an even game - if there was to be a winner it should have been us, but good to give nothing away. It is now a time to take a breather and recharge.”

Veteran boss Warnock, meanwhile, was full of praise for Middlesbrough, who sit in seventh place, four above Brentford.

“I couldn’t ask for any more and we finished strong at the end,” he said. “We kept their forward line quiet and restricted them to few chances and we created a couple.

“We just need a little bit of luck and we only had six subs. It makes me proud that we have the best defensive record (in the division). It’s the best team I’ve probably had, football-wise, it’s just frustrating we couldn’t score.”