Frank revels in Bees getting job done when some way short of their best against a tricky QPR

Thomas Frank admitted his side was not at its best in beating QPR in Friday night’s derby – but showed the sort of resilience ambitious clubs have to produce.

Goals from Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney – who else – secured a 2-1 victory, but Rangers played their part in an absorbing contest and were arguably unlucky not to come away with a point.

“It was quite an intense match, I think. It felt like the players played with 17,000 out there,” said the relieved Bees boss.

“I think that we got one of those tight wins that we deserved in a game where we didn’t hit the highest level, in terms of dominating the game.

“We showed some unbelievable attitude, togetherness and hard work. When you play 46 games, one every three or four days, there will be ones like this, especially second half where we gave nothing away and then win on a set piece goal. That’s what we need to do if we have dreams this season.

“QPR played well today and made it very difficult for us.

“I would expect us on a top day to do a much better job in terms of the way we want to press them. That was not bang on so I would say that our pressing game was way off, so I want us to do better at that next time.

“But we all know these wins give us a boost and a lift and it was another signal of how robust and solid we look.”

Frank admitted the Bees got lucky with a key decision when defender Mads Bech Sorensen avoided a red card even though he was the last defender in stopping Rangers striker Lyndon Dykes from having a clear shot at goal.

“I agree it’s borderline,” the Dane said. “If we had VAR, it’s a situation where the ref will end with running out to the screen and then see the incident once, twice...five times...and in the end flip a coin.”

Frank singled out an ‘electric’ Bryan Mbeumo for his contribution but was again compelled to field questions about top scorer Ivan Toney, and how it is he managed to lure him to Brentford.

“Because I’m good,” he joked. “When I call a player, I’m pretty good at convincing them why they should come to Brentford. I said to him he would suit the role of nine the way we want to play. I said if you’re coming to us, you’ll score 25 goals.”