Beesotted contributor Jacob ‘The Gowler’ Gowler (@BeesBreakdown) gives us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s 2024-2025 season.
Think back to Brentford’s first season in the Premier League. Remember Thomas Frank’s tactics with that newly promoted Brentford squad. A very direct side, typically threatening by using long balls, counter attacks, and frustrating the opposition with a low block.
Now compare that to Brentford’s 2024-2025 season. A much more balanced side, holding more possession and building from the back. Thomas Frank switched Brentford’s formation to a 4-2-3-1 this season from, either, a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 in the past, depending on the opponent.
Throughout the season, I’ve discussed this “tactical evolution” since Brentford’s promotion, so let’s look at what the stats say after the entire season.
Of course, there are still stats that indicate Brentford are a well-disciplined and calculated side. Thomas Frank hasn’t completely strayed from his data driven principals, with the Bees still commit very few fouls, 320 over the course of the season, compared to Bournemouth with the highest at 525. Brentford also had the fewest penalty kicks conceded, as Brentford attempt to not allow high percentage opportunities.
Thomas Frank also instructs his players to take high percentage shots, with Brentford having the highest Shots on Target percentage (39.9%), Goals per Shot (0.14), and Non-Penalty xG per Shot (0.13) in the Premier League. It’s also no surprise Brentford ended with the lowest average shot distance (14.9 yards), as the gaffer prefers his players not to shoot from distance because of the low probability of scoring.
Defensively, Brentford continued to not allow teams high percentage chances. The Bees ended with their opponents having the lowest post shot xG per shots on target (0.26).
Since these statistics are similar to previous years, let’s discuss one statistic to demonstrate Brentford’s evolution:
Brentford had the most touches in the defensive penalty area out of any team in the Premier League.
An early example of Brentford’s eagerness to build of the back could be seen in the Manchester City match. Thomas Frank’s previous sides would launch it long and sit in a low block while threatening on counter attacks, but this season, Brentford consistently tried to build out of the back.
This led to extremely important roles for Damsgaard and Wissa, helping to drop in to progress the ball. Not just these two, but every player plays a significant role in the side, each bringing their own strengths and blending attributes together to create a brilliant team.
Let’s break down the stats for the starting XI individually:
Mark Flekken
Steady improvement for Mark’s second and final year with Brentford.
The best statistical indicator for goal keepers, in my opinion, is Post Shot xG minus Goals Allowed (PSxG+/-). Last season Flekken had a -7.6 PSxG+/-, suggesting he allowed around 7 more goals than expected. This season Flekken improved to -0.3, and while still negative, is a massive improvement.
The Dutch international had an impressive 2 assists on the season, so we know he has the distribution that Thomas Frank wants, but at 31, the Bees decided to cash in and bring in a younger Premier League proven keeper in Caoimhim Kelleher.
Keane Lewis-Potter
An under the radar player after being converted to left back this season, but Keane Lewis-Potter ended the season with 1 goal and 3 assists. Keane obviously provided an attacking threat, 2nd in the squad for progressive carriers, but also held his own defensively, having 31 tackles against dribblers.
Thomas Frank, at times, deployed Keane in a similar role to Rico Henry, bombing up the wing and shifting the formation in-possession. Defensively, Lewis-Potter developed a good partnership with Kevin Schade supporting him on the wing.
Nathan Collins
The wall at the back.
Collins notably played every single minute in the Premier League this season. Brentford fans surely would characterize this as a phenomenal season where Collins led the Premier League with 57 shots blocked, 77 blocks, and 138 headed clearances.
Building on his performances last season, Collins grew and looked more comfortable on the ball, with a majority of Brentford’s buildup running through him, so it’s no surprise he led the squad in passes attempted.
Sepp van den Berg
After starting off as a makeshift right back, van den Berg cemented himself as the first choice centreback pairing with Collins. A solid first season for van den Berg, and, although he will need to clean up a few errors, clearly another important piece to Thomas Frank’s evolving possession-based tactics.
Sepp’s organization and communication won’t show up on the stat sheet but look out for him directing players during set plays on both sides of the ball.
Michael Kayode
The new signing, Michael Kayode has already impressed, having started 6 games during his loan, and playing in a total of 12. The Italian right back provided a much-needed burst for the squad with his incredible workrate and willingness to get forward.
Although a small sample size, he quickly made an impact, ending with 3.24 shot-creating actions a game, and creating 7 shots from long throw situations.
Defensively, Kayode tackled 69.2% of dribblers, and, when looking at per 90 stats, came second in the squad for interceptions. His progressive dribbles and ability to invert into midfield to progress the ball added another dimension to this Brentford squad.
Christian Nørgaard
Top 10 in the Premier League for interceptions (49) and ball recoveries (193). Christian Norgaard provides this Brentford team with such stability with his elite positioning and anticipation. He’s a clear role model for Yarmoliuk who has shown the same attributes this season.
His stat chart shows his defensive ability:
Nørgaard has also expanded his passing range, ending the season with 4 assists and 154 progressive passes. His total passing percentage up to 81.6% and his long passing percentage up to 59.4% from 53.4% last year.
Norgaard’s biggest improvement is his goal creating actions this season with 13. Last season he only had 3 goal creating actions. The Danish international also vastly improved his aerial duel win percentage, increasing to 62% from 46.5% last season.
Yehor Yarmoliuk
Another new addition to the starting lineup with Janelt and Jensen dealing with injuries throughout the season. It looks like Yarmoliuk has integrated himself into the starting XI for the foreseeable future.
While not providing the same attacking threat as Damsgaard or the defensive stability of Norgaard, the balance Yarmoliuk provides was noticeable during his starts towards the end of the season.
His ability to retain possession and be completely press resistant is, in my opinion, his best attribute. Yarmoliuk has helped Brentford progress the ball and build out of the back, so much so that Yarmoliuk frequently dropped between the centrebacks at times.
The Ukrainian international also quickly proved his ability out-of-possession, shown by 7.02 ball recoveries per 90 minutes. His anticipation and positioning continued to improve throughout the season, and Yarmoliuk had an extremely important impact on Brentford’s rest defence during set plays.
Don’t discount Yarmoliuk’s passing range either, he led the squad in long passing percentage with 84.7%. The Ukrainian international will surely look to build on a strong end to the season and continue to learn in Thomas Frank’s system.
Mikkel Damsgaard
Player of the Year.
And the statistic back it up.
Top 10 for progressive passes, passes into the penalty area, and key passes in the Premier League. Damsgaard was 5th for assists in the Premier League with 10 on the season, while having 21 goal-creating actions. Even more impressive is the 27 completed through balls, with only Bruno Fernandes completing more.
Still, his most improved area this season has been out-of-possession. He led the team in tackles (83), which goes to show how impressive Brentford’s high press was this season. Damsgaard also led the Premier League in tackles in the attacking third (27).
Brentford aren’t the same team without Damsgaard pulling the strings.
Kevin Schade
Another important piece for the Bees and bright season for the 23-year-old German. Schade scored 11 goals on only 8.2 xG. He also had 2 assists, but ended the season with 3.7 xAG, suggesting he should’ve had more.
Kevin Schade offers Thomas Frank ways to vary buildup. It’s no surprise he won 90 aerial duels with the way Flekken launched balls to Schade to flick on for Wissa. He also received 165 progressive passes and routinely threatened opponent’s high lines with his pace in-behind.
Yoane Wissa
Did Wissa statistically have the best season for a Brentford player?
Only Mo Salah scored more non-penalty goals than Wissa this season. Wissa’s 19 goals came with an incredible 0.21 Goals per Shot ratio (8th in the Premier League).
Another stat that gives a glimpse into Wissa’s elite shot selection: 4th for shots that lead to another shot attempt (13 total). As previously discussed, these are the types of statistics that Thomas Frank is looking for in a striker.
Wissa’s shot selection is not the only one reason why he’s an integral part of this squad.
Tactically, Wissa brings so much more than scoring goals. His ability to drop in and help progress the ball helped transform Brentford into a team that can consistently build out of the back. This could be especially effective against a man marking high press to create space in-behind for Mbeumo and Schade.
In the final third, Wissa’s ability to anticipate when Damsgaard is receiving the ball and immediately starting a run in-behind helped create plenty of chances for the Bees this season.
And finally, Bryan Mbeumo
In all likelihood, Mbeumo’s last season for Brentford.
Starting with the absolute best part of Bryan Mbeumo’s season:
Clinical Finishing
An issue he struggled with in his first season in the Premier League, scoring 5 less goals than expected, which was last among all players.
Flash forward to this season, Mbeumo scored 20 goals on only 12.3 xG, making his “Goals minus xG” the highest for any player. Some would argue Mbeumo massively overperforming this season could be difficult to replicate, and maybe so, but he’s had steady improvement every season at Brentford and the stats back that up.
To be clear, it wasn’t just his goal scoring ability, as Bryan also ended with 9.3 xA.
Again… the highest for any player in the Premier League.
Mbeumo only ended with 7 assists, but the underlying numbers suggest he was unlucky to not end the season as the Premier League assist leader.
Glossary:
