As with the previous two away games last week’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur could have yielded some form of return for their efforts but Brentford had to settle for ifs and maybes, not tangible points.

At Liverpool, a couple of important chances did not go in. At Manchester City a second goal to add to the early opener may have made things interesting. And at Spurs the glossed over Vicario handling outside the penalty area was an important moment, if not critical.

But the Bees return home this weekend and after a tough run of away fixtures to start the season a third successive victory at the G-Tech alongside progress to the last 16 of the League Cup would be seen as a positive start.

Thomas Frank’s side could do with enjoying home comforts over the next few months as it would be the bedrock of a potentially good season. In the last campaign the fans in west London only enjoyed five wins, half as many as the previous year when the side finished in the top half of the table. In fact, only the bottom three secured fewer home victories in season 2023-24.

Frank will no doubt indicate that the six points accrued from the opening five games in total is probably short of what is deserved. But if they were to make it nine from six with a win over a West Ham side who appear to be under some scrutiny if not pressure, it would make his walk of gratitude around the pitch at full time a little sweeter this weekend.

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