Undefeated in six Premier League games, including wins over Liverpool and Manchester City, Brentford are currently enjoying their best run in the top-flight for more than 80 years.
Another remarkable night under the West London floodlights saw the Bees end a tricky run of three post-World Cup games unbeaten – a 3-1 dismantling of Liverpool coming after an impressive away win at West Ham and a 2-2 home draw with Tottenham.
The fact Brentford will have felt aggrieved at dropping points at home to the latter after racing into a two-goal lead also goes to prove just how far they have come in such a short space of time.
Masterminding it all is Thomas Frank, with the Danish head coach signing a new two-year contract extension on Christmas Eve to extend his stay in TW8 until the summer of 2027.
With the average age of a Premier League manager currently standing at 48, only Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Chelsea’s Graham Potter (both recently appointed in their respective roles) have a similar lengthy deal in place.
It’s not only reward for Frank’s excellent work over the past four years but signals the club’s long-term commitment that the 49-year-old is the right man to lead the Bees into the next phase of their development as he himself enters his managerial prime.
And those next steps are already underway with the emphatic wins over Liverpool and West Ham demonstrating a natural progression from their first year in the Premier League.
Last season’s late 2-1 win at West Ham extended Brentford’s impressive start to their inaugural campaign, just days after a scintillating 3-3 home draw with Liverpool.
The Bees had an element of surprise in those early months, catching many opposition cold to defy the odds with that momentum eventually leading to a comfortable 13th place finish in their inaugural campaign.
This season is a different proposition with the now-familiar Brentford potentially running the risk of the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’ which has previously claimed the likes of Sheffield United, Ipswich and Reading as well as threatening Leeds United last term.
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“A lot of people have told me about ‘second season syndrome’ and it certainly can be difficult,” Thomas Frank told London Football Scene.
“But I have said from the beginning that I don’t believe in it – I think it is always difficult to compare the two seasons.
“I am very aware that this league is relentless though, and of course there is a risk that we (Brentford) can get relegated.
“I think that everyone except the top six and Newcastle could get relegated but what I will say is that I am glad we are consistent in our performances and that has been key.”
This consistency is very much down to the calming presence and vision of Frank, keeping true to Brentford’s distinct style of play while simultaneously being tactically fluid and aware enough to evolve it.
“I’m very much a believer that if you know your role then it is very difficult to play against you,” Frank added.
“However, in the modern era there are usually no surprises for opponents – unless you change the system every single game.
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“So I think it’s more about trying to develop our own game plan and style but tweaking it and doing things differently.
“That is what I have learnt throughout my career because when you do something successfully people tend to find a way to play against you.
“So you then need to find another way to be successful, because if you just stick with the same way over time you will decline.”
Part of Frank’s philosophy also includes ‘hygge’ – the Danish word for cosy – bringing about a feeling of contentment to cultivate an environment of togetherness and mutual support throughout the club.
This collective spirit was further highlighted after Brentford swept aside Liverpool as top scorer Ivan Toney, sidelined through injury, was seen celebrating the victory with his team-mates at full-time.
The victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side may have only been Brentford’s second Premier League win without the striker since their promotion but the manner of it will have silenced many critics who suggest the Bees are a one-man team.
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Similarly, Kevin Schade’s arrival from Bundesliga side Freiburg on loan until the end of the season will further bolster Brentford’s attacking options and offset any potential loss to Toney through injury or threat of suspension due to betting breaches.
Schade is likely to become the club’s most expensive player when he makes the move permanent in the summer and, coupled with results on the pitch, proves everything is in place to ensure Brentford’s future is not only to survive but to thrive in the Premier League.