Brentford season review: Ecstatic Bees revel in outstanding campaign led by superlative Thomas Frank

Here, Standard Sport assesses the 2022-23 season at the Gtech Community Stadium…

The season in one word: Outstanding.

Star of the show: Ivan Toney. His eight-month ban for betting breaches gives Brentford a headache ahead of next season, but his 20 goals this term have helped them have a brilliant campaign.

Biggest letdown: Mikkel Damsgaard. The talented Dane excelled at Euro 2020 but has failed to impress since his £16.7million move to the Bees last summer.

Most improved player: David Raya. The Spanish goalkeeper has found new levels this season, but Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham are all circling as a result.

Game to remember: No Brentford fan will forget their 4-0 win against Man United in August, but a 2-1 win at Manchester City means they are the only team to beat the champions at the Etihad this season and then do the double over them.

Game to forget: In Unai Emery’s first game in charge, Aston Villa ran riot in a 4-0 win in October.

Rising star: Aaron Hickey. Scotland’s latest burgeoning left-back, the 20-year-old battled an early ankle injury but has since featured in their past 15 games.

Manager verdict: Only nine Premier League clubs have kept the same manager all season, and Dane Thomas Frank is as valuable as almost any of them. Brentford’s biggest asset.

Fans’ mood: Ecstatic. How could they be anything but? Brentford were in League One a decade ago and were still in with a shout of Europe going into the final weekend.

Grade: A