Thomas Frank was forced to change his starting line-up almost every week, owing to a hellish season for serious injuries at Brentford.
That hit the Bees’ form hard, so there was no repeat of last season’s ninth-place finish when they were just two points off qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history.
They flirted with relegation - losing to Sheffield United, Burnley and Everton (twice) - without ever looking like going down.
Here, Dom Smith assesses their 2023-24 season…
The season in one word
Disappointing.
Star of the show
Mathias Jensen: No stand-out contender unlike 20-goal Ivan Toney last season, but Jensen has been reliable in midfield and possesses genuine technical quality.
Biggest let down
Ivan Toney: Can only blame himself for his absence until January, but after a few goals soon after returning ended on a goal drought, damaging his valuation.
Most improved player
Mark Flekken: Looked nervy and had a mistake in him until the new year, but has become key to the Bees since.
Game to remember
Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest: The 5-1 win at Luton was Brentford’s biggest-ever Premier League win, but the Forest victory ended a seven-game winless run.
Game to forget
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford: Painful. Leading a dominant United since the 26th minute at Old Trafford, Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time double meant the Bees left with nothing.
Rising star
Keane Lewis-Potter: Eyebrows were raised when Brentford spent £16m on the Hull man in 2022 but game-time has increased this term and he has impressed.
Manager verdict
Admired by Manchester United and Bayern Munich, Thomas Frank remains committed to Brentford. Strongly believes injury hell limited what his team could achieve this season.
Fans’ mood
Fans are understanding of the unprecedented injury list this season but have grown tired of Toney’s brash comments about leaving for bigger and better.
