Brentford ace Janelt delivers exciting Toney message and plots Aston Villa scalp
Thomas Frank makes no secret of his 'no d***heads' policy. But it remains the secret behind Brentford's sustainability and success.
"There is no arrogance, it's one tight group," says Bees midfielder Vitaly Janelt. "It's like a family here, everyone feels comfortable. It doesn't feel like you're coming to work, it's fun and that is ultimately why we are where we are.
"The culture, our environment, the whole team is together. It's not like five individuals here and there. Of course, we have little groups like our Scandinavian and English players but despite having so many nationalities, everyone is a collective unit."
Father-figure Frank's humility has seen him forge a fine reputation as a master of man-management while his attention to tactical details has propelled Brentford to another level following promotion in 2021. Not once have the Bees been seriously threatened by the prospect of relegation since clinching their place in the top-flight.
Humble and grounded pro Janelt is adamant it's Frank that deserves the plaudits, adding on his side's inspirational leader: "The boss helps us maintain concentration. He always tells us to show him why we have to play. If a player is on the bench for five games, he'll tell them why they're not playing and what they have to do to keep them in shape.
"For example, since we've had so many injuries, some players wouldn't have got their chance otherwise but Yegor Yarmolyuk, for instance, has been brilliant. We always knew he had qualities and showed them in training but personally, I think if everyone was ready, he wouldn't have got his chance so early.
"Thomas is very good at those small things off the pitch and has the ability to adapt the game-plan against any team you're facing. He's not arrogant, he's always there for you if you want to talk to him - even if it's not about football."
Ivan Toney will be free to play again for Brentford next month and they're relishing his return (Getty Images)
Brentford looked destined to struggle without influential talisman Ivan Toney but the Bees - sitting pretty in mid-table - are now relishing his return to action in mid-January after losing Bryan Mbeumo to ankle surgery. Yoane Wissa and Frank Onyeka are also expected to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
"His return is going to be really important," Janelt said of Toney. "He's a very big part of how we play. When you have to play long, we miss somebody who can hold the ball and win us fouls with cleverness. He does it so well.
"We're really excited to have him back. If Wissa goes, we'll only have Neal Maupay as a striker. Even Wissa plays on the wing and we only have Keane Lewis-Potter there at the moment because Kevin Schade is injured. In January there are opportunities to sign some new players and the club will take care of that."
The Bees have been stung by a series of high-profile injuries this season. They could be without up to nine stars for Sunday's visit of Aston Villa but because they're still going quietly about their business in the Premier League, the crisis has flown under the radar.
Janelt continued: "It's not even just for us. I had a conversation with Pascal Gross after the game against Brighton. He said something crazy, like he named a full squad of injured players at their club - that team would finish top 10 in the Premier League. They're different to us because they play in Europe so need a bigger squad but I could name like eight or nine players that would have been in their starting XI.
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It's similar here. I had another conversation with someone a few weeks ago and he said the increase in hamstring injuries compared to last season has been around 60 per cent. For me, that's crazy. There are more international games because the Euros are next summer plus the World Cup last year was pushed back, it really changes things a lot. There are more flights and away matches."
Brentford have just lost Bryan Mbeumo to an ankle injury that has required surgery (MB Media/Getty Images)
Despite Brentford's persistent fitness struggles, unsung hero Janelt has been their one constant - starting every single match (18) in all competitions - as he shed further light on his remarkable private fitness regime that has got him firing on all cylinders.
"We're old enough to take care of our bodies," added the 25-year-old German. "I have my own doctor and I see him once a week, no matter if I'm injured or not. I've done that for around five years. We're very close and I really rely on him. Then I take care of food, drink, sauna and ice baths. They are all small things but they're the extra 5 per cent that people don't see. It makes a big difference."
Next up are high-flying Aston Villa, who are winless in their last five visits to Brentford where they last recorded victory in 2017. While Janelt respects their phenomenal progress under Unai Emery - he hopes to punish their high defensive line.
He concluded: "Emery has been there for a year now. They play with a very risky high line but it works. They're now just a few points off the top. We have to be careful but everyone knows that when teams play us away from home, it's tough. This is the first or second season where teams don't like to play us. They don't fear us but they respect us and how we play."
Janelt was speaking on behalf of Brentford's Community Sports Trust as they celebrated the launch of their latest Social Impact Study, reporting a headline valuation of £143,076,836.
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