Brentford head coach Thomas Frank explains why captain Christian Norgaard sat out the 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed Christian Norgaard was “close” to being available for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
The Bees had to settle for a point in Saturday’s home clash despite taking an early lead through in-form attacker Bryan Mbeumo.
The 25-year-old netted in the opening 60 seconds to help Brentford become the first team to score inside a minute of three consecutive Premier League matches.
However, Mbeumo’s fifth goal of the season was cancelled out by Tomas Soucek‘s second-half effort, ensuring both teams had to be content with a share of the spoils.
Brentford captain Christian Norgaard was a notable absentee for the 1-1 draw after he previously sat out the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with a “minor injury”.
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Why did Norgaard miss West Ham clash?
Prior to the weekend, Frank revealed that it would be a “close call” whether Norgaard would be ready for the home meeting with West Ham.
Speaking after Saturday’s draw, the Brentford head coach explained why the Denmark international had sat out a second straight game.
“He was close,” Frank told reporters. “But either you play, so it didn’t make sense to have him on the bench. If he’s there, he’s starting.
“But I’m confident there’s a good chance for next week. A lot I am hopeful will be available in a week’s time.”
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Frank explains Schade withdrawal
Kevin Schade was forced off in the second half against West Ham, and Frank is hopeful that he was just struggling with cramp rather than a more serious injury issue.
“We don’t know why but just cramp,” Frank said. “We will look into it, I think he was a threat. We have nothing to shoot with after that.
We have no offensive subs to try and go even more forward and they’re putting on Crysencio Summerville, a Greek international and a Spanish international.”
Having won two, drawn one and lost three of their six league matches, Brentford are currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League table.
After taking one point from their last three games, the Bees will look to return to winning ways in Saturday’s home clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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