Nathan Collins had 'no doubt' Keith Andrews could make step up at Brentford

Brentford have won four of their last six games under new manager Keith Andrews, rising to 12th in the Premier League. They are just three points off the top four.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews first coached Nathan Collins with the Ireland U17s.  ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Nathan Collins endured a nomadic existence in recent years but Brentford’s decision to favour continuity in appointing his compatriot Keith Andrews has been a boon for all concerned.

Seldom does a manager begin their journey as a stand-alone boss in the Premier League and that punt by the Bees in promoting the set-piece coach of Thomas Frank sparked tips of relegation.

Wayne Rooney is one of the cynics who’s been forced to revise their opinion as former Ireland captain Andrews steered the London club away from the drop zone.

Four wins in their last six matches, the latest over moneybags Newcastle United on Saturday, elevated them to twelfth place in the table.

It’s a far cry from the opening day of the season when the manager on the sideline and his skipper Collins on the pitch looked shell-shocked from conceding three first-half goals at Nottingham Forest.

Since then, they’ve drawn against Chelsea and beaten Premier League champions, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Collins had no fears about the ability of the 45-year-old to step up when Frank was lured across London by Tottenham Hotspur.

“I’ve had him as a coach for a long time, going back to when I was 15,” said Collins, now 24, about the man he first worked with in Ireland’s U17 squad.

“I knew what he was about. I knew what he was like from working with the Ireland teams and when he came into Brentford last year as set-piece coach.

“I had no doubt he’d step into the role and do what he does best. He’s fitted in seamlessly really.

“We returned for pre-season and it just felt like nothing really changed for us. We had our goals, knew what we wanted to achieve and it just felt like another season.” 

That Andrews has recorded the identical record after 11 top-flight games as his predecessor Frank, an established Premier League manager, testifies to his impact.

“Keith is a new manager so he’s learning as he goes along,” observed Collins, who joined the club two years ago, following spells at Stoke City, Burnley and Wolves.

“As a squad we’re learning how he manages. It’s still a learning curve but going well.

“Personally, I don’t think 11 games is a lot. We’re not even at Christmas yet, so I think we’ve got a lot of growing as a group, still getting to understand each other.

“There will be different situations that appear in the season that we’re going to have to get around.”

Adding another Irishman in pre-season, Caoimhín Kelleher, has bolstered their defensive solidity too.

He’s been the ever-present goalkeeper since leaving the comfort of being Liverpool’s understudy to be anointed as a bona fide No 1.

“Caoimhín is top,” Collins said of his teammate for club and country.

“He has fit in at Brentford like nothing, gelling really quickly.

“His personality has shown through straight away and he is just being himself.

“I think that’s what helps him on the pitch as well, just being himself.

“Off the pitch in the gym, doing his recovery, all those bits, he’s on top of that as well.

“I can’t fault him on anything. He is just a good lad and he is helping us become a better team.”