Five things we learned from Brentford’s 3-2 defeat by Swansea

Where to start…defence

It’s not so much what we learned, but more a fact of what we already knew.

Defending has been a problem for Thomas Frank’s side for large parts of this season. The draw at West Brom, where the Bees were fortunate to snatch a point, has done little more than paper over cracks in the back line. Konsa and Mepham are offered little protection in front of them, but there’s no denying where the blame lay for the opening two goals. They need help. Fast.

READ: Player ratings from Brentford's 3-2 defeat by Swansea

Midfield

Josh McEachran is not a holding midfielder. Nico Yennaris is not an attacking midfielder.

The second half saw Yennaris deployed in a deeper role after McEachran was hooked at the break. There’s no surprise that the Bees improved in the second 45. With more bite in his challenges, and willingness to roll his sleeves up, surely it’s time for Frank to give the shielding role to the former Arsenal product before it’s too late?

Fans Fans Fans

Supporting a football club is like a marriage. Through thick and thin, and all of that!

Brentford are struggling, there’s no denying it, which is why the club needs its fans to pull them out of the mire they find themselves in.

We’ve seen the effect vocal support can have at Selhurst Park with the return of the Holmesdale Fanatics.

The Bees need their fans now more than ever so to see so many empty seats at Griffin Park was disappointing.

Berating players, the manager, the tactics doesn’t help anyone. If there will be a change at the top at Brentford it will come down to the chairman, not the armchair supporter. So get behind the team.

READ: Report: Brentford 2 Swansea 3

Leaders

Romaine Sawyers wore the armband against Swansea, but the real captain judging by their leadership was Henrik Dalsgaard. He did not have a great game, let’s get that straight, but what the right-back does is give 100% each week and leads by example. When the third goal went in, it was Dalsgaard who called a meeting in the middle of the park to let people know it wasn’t good enough. He’s the only one who’s ready to give it out to those who are under-performing, including himself.

Swans rolling back the years

Experience is a word we don’t often use at Griffin Park. That’s because there’s very little of it in the red and white dressing room.

Swansea’s attacking threat of Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer caused all sorts of problems in the first half, and that’s a testament to the E word. It was their game management that effectively won the game for the visitors. A word on Billy McKay too, he looks to be a player reborn since his move from Nottingham Forest.