Thomas Frank believes their game against Newcastle United on Saturday has come at a tricky time but insists his Brentford side will stick to their own plans. 

Frank’s side make the long trip to St James Park to take on a Magpies outfit who have been buoyed by the recent arrival of new owners and a new manager in the form of Eddie Howe. 

Brentford beat Howe’s former side Bournemouth in the play-off semi-finals before winning promotion to the top flight, but Frank will face a different challenge in the North East this weekend. 

He said: “It is impossible to predict. It is terrible timing for us when it comes to that, when you go into all the games, except for the first one against Arsenal, you can analyse their last games. 

“A lot of teams play one, maybe two, systems and then it is maybe one player. Now there is a new manager coming in with a new style of play.  

“We haven’t looked that much at Newcastle, apart from individual players, but rather what Eddie Howe did at Bournemouth in terms of shape and style. 

“I am pretty sure about what I can expect on Saturday, but I can’t be 100 per cent sure about the shape. 

“We try as much as possible to go with our own gameplan every week but the tweaks we do to the gameplan depend on the opponents.  

“We will try to be as aggressive and front-footed as normal. We will try to get on the ball as much as possible and create. I have an idea [about Newcastle] and that is what we prepare for. We need to be flexible.” 

While Newcastle are a new prospect under Howe, the surroundings will be familiar for Ivan Toney. 

The striker made just two league appearances for Newcastle during his three years there before joining Peterborough United, who Brentford signed him from. 

And Frank is hoping the 25-year-old will use the return as a catalyst for a return to form in front of goal.

“For me, I see it as another game,” he said. “Maybe he will be slightly more motivated to show but it is about that inner fire, it is important to hit that right level that you aren’t going over the top.

“I never see that from Ivan; he is very level-headed, very much focused and in the game. In terms of goals, Ivan is maybe the only one who believes he can score 31 goals in the Premier League, which is why he is so good.  

“He has been fantastic in the link up and assist play in our team. He has two or three assists but should have more. He’s getting his chances; it is natural it goes a little bit up and down with strikers and goals.”