Brentford boss Thomas Frank has promised Everton that his side will be going all out to beat Leeds United in their final game of the season this weekend - describing the match as a 'cup final'.
After being beaten by the Bees on Sunday at Goodison Park, the Blues could head into their final game of the season away to Arsenal needing a result to preserve their Premier League status if they fall to another defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Thursday night.
As things stand the Blues are two points clear of the drop zone, and one point ahead of Leeds, although they do have a game in hand on Jesse Marsch’s side. And speaking following his side’s win at Goodison, Frank promised the Blues that his side will not be rolling over for the Elland Road club this Sunday.
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He said: “No, I think we will put the B Team out! We will put our very best team out there - it's so important to understand we need to do our very best to win.
“It is nothing about Everton, Burnley or Leeds and I know in my press conference I will get a lot of questions between the story about me and 'so-called' Leeds fans and a video, but there is no story there from my perspective.
“Everyone will do our best to try and win on Sunday, and if Brentford can finish top 10, that's remarkable. As far as I know, there is a fair quid to gain if you finish higher, for the Club.
“It's very simple; maybe after 10 years in the Premier League you don't care if you finish 11th or 9th but for us, every game is a cup final.”
Explaining the backstory behind him and Leeds supporters, Frank said: “In the Championship two years ago, I'm normally very transparent and honest, and I don't do mind games. By mistake, I said they [Leeds] will fear coming to Griffin Park - that's what I said.
“That's the only thing I said [two years ago], since then I haven't said anything bad. I think Leeds is one of the biggest clubs in the country; they should be in the Premier League with the story and the history.
“I think they've done remarkable. Of course, I can't say that I want them more than Everton or Burnley, the three of them need to fight for it [survival] and we'll say who'll be there [Premier League next season].”
Frank’s side twice came from behind to do the double over the Blues on Sunday afternoon. Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Everton ahead before a Seamus Coleman own goal restored parity.
Richarlison then fired the Blues back ahead from the penalty spot, but second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry secured the visitors all three points. And Frank took aim after the game at those who suggested that his side were already on their holidays as they have nothing to play for.
He said: “A lot of 'so-called' experts talked about we were going on holiday and we didn't have anything to fight for.
“First and foremost, we need to be very professional and hopefully want to win every single game for Brentford fans and themselves, but I think it's very important to show respect to the league that we do everything we can because if I was in that situation, I'd definitely expect other teams [to do the same].”
