Brentford suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday. The Bees probably had slightly the better of an even game but lost 1-0 to Brighton and Hove Albion. After the game, Thomas Frank spoke to the written press via a video call. Jim Levack, who has covered Brentford for many years for Press Association, among others, reports on what Thomas had to say..........

Defensive doggedness

“It was a tough one to take so late, but it was a totally even game – you can see that from the stats and when you watch and analyse it. We gave three shots away which is a top, top defensive game against a side that’s very good on the ball and generally creates lot of chances. I can’t praise the players highly enough.”

Missed chances and randomness

“Late on Brighton came a little more on top but didn’t create anything apart from the goal. We looked more dangerous in the first half and maybe should have taken one of our chances. We had some good situations in the second where we should have created more. Of course, we need to take our chances but sometimes there’s also randomness, so on another day we score one, go 1-0 up and it’s a different game.”

Composure in the final third

"They didn’t have a sniff in the first half… defensively we more than pretty good. We stayed in the game and also got on the ball a few times near the end where we needed to do even better and be more composed, move the ball and tire Brighton out. But there’s plenty to build on, so we’ll keep this defensive side of the game up and keep working on the offensive side.”

Shandon Baptiste shines and gives us something extra

“It was fantastic to get him out there. He’s worked so hard to be able to play minutes and on the half turn and driving forwards creating opportunities, he is so good. He will be at home in the Premier League. He adds qualities to the team that we’ve maybe lacked a little bit in moments.

"You have to have some different types to get that balance offensively and defensively, Shandon had a top pre-season and he’s earned his shirt. Now he needs to keep adding to his game, but I like his qualities.”

By the time you read this…

“… We will have assessed the good things and not so good. Of course it always hurts to lose and when you wake up the next day you will be aaagh, a little bit disappointed, but we need to move on. We have a 24-hours rule where you can’t celebrate too much or be too disappointed foe a maximum of 24 hours. Then we move forward.”

The Brighton parallels

“There were loads of positives because it was a completely even game against a side four years in the Premier League that’s been continually building. There are lot of things we need to be positive about.”

Bryan Mbeumo’s opener is coming

“I’m pleased he’s actually making opportunities and getting in the right place. He and Ivan looked really good together, linking up well, finding each other and combining well around the box so that’s promising. He’s been one of our best players so far. So consistent, working hard on the pressure and creating opportunities for himself and Ivan, who almost scored a fantastic David Beckham goal of the season. I’m sure Bryan’s first goal in the Premier League is just around the corner.”

Consistency is key

“I’m most pleased that if you look at our first four games we have put in consistently good performances. We want to improve and do better, but consistent high-level performances will help us do that.

"It’s the fine margins again. In the last three games if there should have been a narrow winner it should have been us if you look at game and the stats. It’s been extremely positive and we need to keep improving throughout the season.”

Goals win games

“We are creating chances and opportunities but I just want to create even more.”

Three into five doesn’t go

“I brought Mads on for Sergi because we needed more energy up and down the pitch. I bought Mathias on for Vitaly and we had one sub left so I brought Frank on because the pressure was important. If we’d had the opportunity to change five subs ­– and I don’t understand why we don’t – I would have put Wissa on.”

Seagulls boss sings our praises

Graham Potter said…

“Brentford are high energy, they press high, defend well and have numerous threats. They build up well and Bryan Mbeumo links things nicely. The atmosphere in the new stadium is lively. It’s not easy here, it’s hostile and a tight ground and pitch so it was a proper game… not one for the purists maybe, but a well fought game.”

… and a few words of advice

“Sometimes people want answers to things but sometimes football is just that beautiful game. Last year our performance levels were good and we just didn’t get the points and sometimes that can happen, especially in the Premier League. It was a tight game and they were better than us for spells but a bit of brilliance meant we came away with three points.”