'Perfect fit' Andrews proving doubters wrong

Many pundits and supporters questioned Keith Andrews' appointment when he was thrust into the hot seat following Thomas Frank's exit for Tottenham last summer.

Appointing the club's set-piece coach to succeed Frank, who guided Brentford into the Premier League during his seven-year tenure, would not have looked a very reassuring move.

And many tipped Brentford as relegation candidates, let alone replicate their 10th-placed finish from 2024-25, following the departures of captain Christian Norgaard, star winger Bryan Mbeumo and the prolific Yoane Wissa.

But eight months on, Andrews is proving his detractors completely wrong.

"Andrews has been fantastic," former England goalkeeper Rob Green told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's really taken that team and put his own twist on it without it being too drastic. He has managed everything around him very well."

Houghton said: "Andrews deserves all the plaudits. Frank is a tough act to follow, but I like how he has adapted this team."

Damsgaard, who scored twice against Burnley, said: "He is a really good guy, first of all.

"We learn so much from him and he cares so much for this team. He's the perfect fit.

"We have improved so much this season. It's been a pleasure working with him and this group in general.

"It says a lot about the way Brentford do things with him signing a long-term deal. He is why we as a club have been doing so well."

Andrews has built on Frank's work to maximise the quality of the squad, with 18-goal striker Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara stepping up in attack.

The result? Andrews has won 17 of his 34 games as manager, with 13 coming in the league.

Brentford have been impressive on the road, where they have won five of their past six league fixtures - and three in the row for the first time since March 2025.

It makes for impressive numbers, so much so that former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told Football Focus recently: "If the Premier League stopped right now, Andrews would be manager of the season."

Read more on Andrews and Brentford's Europe bid here