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Forest Stun Brentford: First Team to Crack the Gtech Fortress as Frank Questions Tactics
Nottingham Forest achieved what no other Premier League team has managed this season, becoming the first side to defeat Brentford at their previously impregnable Gtech Community Stadium. The victory, secured through goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga, marked Forest’s third consecutive league win and perhaps their most impressive to date.
The result was particularly notable given Brentford’s formidable home record of seven wins and one draw from their opening eight games. Elanga, who revealed he’s been receiving mentorship from former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe, continued his impressive form in what turned out to be a tactical masterclass.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank’s post-match comments raised eyebrows when he pointed out Forest’s tactical shift to a 5-4-1 formation – a setup they hadn’t employed against any of the league’s traditional powerhouses like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, or Arsenal. While Frank framed this as a compliment to Brentford’s home strength, his remarks seemed to carry an undertone of frustration.
The observation fits a pattern in Frank’s reactions to defeats against Forest, where his post-match analysis often appears tinged with disappointment. Despite Brentford’s widely praised organizational model and Frank’s undoubted managerial abilities, his response to Forest’s strategic victory seemed to downplay the visitors’ achievement.
As Forest look ahead to their Boxing Day clash with Tottenham at the City Ground, they can take pride in not just winning at one of the league’s most challenging venues, but in demonstrating tactical flexibility that former player Brian Laws highlighted as key to their success.
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