Thomas Frank bounds in to the coffee shop full of energy and radiating the positivity we've come to expect from the Brentford boss. It's two days before the start of the season, Frank has already spent an hour being peppered with questions from the press and with just a week left of the transfer window the future of Ivan Toney is still unclear. However, he is totally at ease and within moments of arriving he is deep in discussion with the owner Mark, a huge Brentford fan, about how good training has looked, whilst inspecting the beans for his macchiato.
Frank has clearly benefitted from his summer off. "It is always too short," he smiles. But after what he described as the "toughest season" of his career, some sunshine, time with the family and switching off both mentally and digitally, he is ready to go again.
Brentford Crystal Palace 'I was tired for various reasons' It is a stark contrast to the last time I had spoken to him. Injuries had decimated his squad and Brentford had one win in 12 matches. When I'd popped in to get my flat white, Mark was seriously concerned Frank might have decided he had taken the club as far as he could.
Frank was also linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, but here he is leading Brentford into their fourth season in the top flight. Trending "I was tired for various reasons at the end of last season," Frank concedes. "But when we start in two days' time, I know I'll feel the buzz again and I'm looking forward to it.
"I've learned more and m.