The first half-an-hour was like a horror film, says Brentford boss Frank

Under pressure Brentford coach Thomas Frank likened his side’s start against Swansea to a “horror movie” that turned “more and more scary” as they slumped to their seventh defeat in nine games.

The Bees were three down inside 27 minutes, the first goal coming after 25 seconds, before fighting back to lose 3-2 and have now taken just four points from a possible 27 under the Dane’s leadership.

“We felt the draw at West Brom was a turning point that would give us momentum that we could build on back at Griffin Park. We prepared well, trained well and then we are behind after 20 seconds,” Frank said.

“The first half-an-hour was like a horror movie and it got more and more scary. We are making too many simple mistakes. They had three chances on target and scored three goals within 27 minutes and you think, ‘How does that happen?’”

Wayne Routledge scored the early goal and a Chris Mepham own goal and a Leroy Fer effort had the Swans in complete control. Ollie Watkins pulled one back before the break before Said Benrahma gave the hosts further hope in the second half.

Frank insisted he felt “calm” despite the chorus of boos that rang around Griffin Park at half-time and said he was not afraid his struggling side could get dragged into a relegation fight.

He said: “I looked the boys in the eyes after West Brom game and I am not afraid that we cannot get out of this, but we do need to understand that we are in a very difficult situation.

“When you’re under pressure things are more difficult, but you can see in their eyes they want it badly and they showed that in their character today. There are things we need to address, but I know we are on the right path.”

Brentford’s two highly-rated young centre-backs Mepham and Ezri Konsa looked like rabbits in headlights against Swansea’s experienced front line and Frank conceded injuries and lack of experience were factors in the dismal run.

“We’ve lost Emiliano Marcondes with an ankle ligament issue and have others out and sometimes you do need experience, but this is about a combination of little things,” he said.

Swansea boss Graham Potter hailed his side’s win as a “big psychological boost” after they ended a three-game losing run.

“We were three up and doing things really well and then we conceded and the home crowd turned. We knew the game game was still alive and started the second half well, had chances to put the game to bed, but didn’t take them and then anything can happen,” he said.

“Any three points will be hard fought in this division. We had a little luck and they missed some good chances so all in all it was a great game for the neutral, but horrible for me and their manager.”

He added: “It was a very nice first 30 minutes. Goals change everything and you have more confidence. We were clinical and effective and played well, but you never feel comfortable here because Brentford keep going and you know you anything can happen right to the end.”

Potter praised the contribution of veteran wingers Routledge and Nathan Dyer, who tormented Brentford’s Henrik Dalsgaard down the left flank.

“They have waited for their opportunity and it’s nice for them to contribute and was right time to use their experience and quality,” he said.

“After the run of defeats we’ve had, this was big psychological win, but now we have to build on it. We showed spirit today, dug in and with the help of our supporters behind the goal, managed to get over the line.”