Keith Andrews has quietly rewritten Brentford’s script, turning what looked like a risky handover after Thomas Frank into a thrilling tactical reboot that is already paying dividends for the Bees.
Tasked with following a beloved coach and coping with the summer exits of Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo, Andrews opted not for a radical overhaul but for a subtle evolution—tweaks that amplify the squad’s existing strengths rather than erase them.
Andrews has reshaped Brentford into a team that sacrifices a little possession for more bite and rapid transitions, more than doubling their average fast breaks compared with last season and turning counters into a real weapon—four league counter goals already equals last season’s total for the club.
His set-piece background has also been stamped on the squad: Brentford rank high for set-piece attempts and have used long throws and aerial power to trouble opponents, even if set-piece goals sit low by recent standards.
A striking sign of progress is Igor Thiago’s emergence.
The forward has become a consistent threat, scoring six of Brentford’s 14 league goals and joining the division’s early top scorers, while combo finishes from Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade show the side’s attacking renovation is more than one-man dependent.
Wins over Manchester United, Aston Villa and a 3-2 scalp of Liverpool have turned Gtech Community Stadium into a genuine fortress, pushing Brentford into the top half and matching one of the best home records in the league.
Andrews has preserved the club’s Premier League pedigree while imprinting a pragmatic, hungry identity that looks built to endure.
