We’re dreaming – Thomas Frank remains hopeful in Brentford’s push for Europe

Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted “we’re dreaming” of Europe after Kevin Schade’s first-half header handed them a fourth straight Premier League win against relegated Ipswich at Portman Road.

The winger angled Bryan Mbeumo’s corner over goalkeeper Alex Palmer in the 18th minute, his fourth goal in three games, as the Bees’ 1-0 victory strengthened their claim to eighth place and a possible spot in next season’s Conference League.

The outcome of the FA Cup final will yet determine whether or not that place opens up but with a highest top-flight finish in 87 years also on the line, Brentford face a pivotal run-in to a potentially historic season.

“We’re dreaming,” said Frank, whose team host Fulham next weekend before finishing away to Wolves. “We need a perfect run-in. It demands two top performances against difficult opponents. Even that may not be enough.

“It’s always been for us to end as high as possible. If we can secure top 10, two out of four Premier League seasons, that’ll be very big.”

As it stands, Brighton are the Bees closest challengers and are level on points, whilst Bournemouth are also in the mix.

Fulham’s defeat to Everton on Saturday left them trailing Brentford by four points and has likely reduced a four-team tussle to a three-way race.

The winning goal came early and was the only highlight of poor first half. Mbeumo’s near-post corner was met just inside the six-yard box by Schade, who rose and angled a brilliant looping header over his own shoulder and high beyond the reach of defender Dara O’Shea who tried in vain on the goal line to clear.

“I don’t think we created many clear-cut, big chances,” said Frank. “Sometimes you need a top delivery and a top finish, and we got that.”

Ipswich came close to collecting just their eighth home point of the campaign late on. Omari Hutchinson crashed a shot against the near post from a good position then Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken produced stunning reflexes to turn away Cameron Burgess’s volley.

“A big save from Mark took it over the line,” said Frank. “Fantastic. It’s very rare you play any game in the Premier League and give no chances away. We gave one away in the end. That was a big save.”

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was critical of VAR after a number of incidents involving players grappling at corners require lengthy stoppages, though none led to penalties.

“I don’t want to sound like the manager of the team who lost moaning about VAR,” he said. “It’s not that.

“I understand what it’s due to give, but I think it’s taking away more from the game in its current usage. The amount of long stoppages for things that cannot be clear and obvious.

“Things are being micro-analysed from different angles that don’t need to be micro-analysed.”