Flying Forest subject Andrews to tough Premier League baptism 

Brentford manager Keith Andrews (right) reacts on the touchline during the Premier League match at City Ground, Nottingham. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. 

Premier League: Nottingham Forest 3 Brentford 1

Keith Andrews endured a difficult start to life as Brentford manager after watching his team comfortably beaten by Nottingham Forest.

Taking charge of a competitive fixture for the first time since being unveiled as Thomas Frank’s successor, the former Republic of Ireland international looked on in horror as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side exposed the visitors’ defensive vulnerabilities in ruthless fashion.

Two first-half goals from Chris Wood, which bookended one from Forest’s £36m summer signing Dan Ndoye, effectively put the game beyond Brentford’s reach before the interval.

Igor Thiago’s late penalty proved nothing more than a consolation, with Nuno still feeling relaxed enough to substitute most of his most influential performers during the closing stages.

Despite Andrews’ lack of experience - he has never led a Premier League team before - Brentford owner Matthew Benham’s belief in the 44-year-old’s talents is clearly strong. But it will have been shaken by the sight of fellow debutant Caoimhin Kelleher being forced to pick the ball out of his net three times before the break, with some woeful defending responsible for all of those efforts.

Nottingham Forest's Murillo (left) celebrates their side's third goal of the game, scored by team-mate Chris Wood (second right). Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

Wood’s fifth minute finish marked the start of the deluge, as the New Zealander outmuscled three markers to meet Elliot Anderson’s corner before sweeping home. He pounced again just before the break, escaping the clutches of Brentford’s rearguard after again combining with Anderson. Moments earlier, following another sustained period of heavy Forest pressure, Ndoye had slipped away from Rico Henry to head home Morgan Gibbs-White’s delightful assist.

After paying a club record fee to acquire Bournemouth’s Dango Quattara on the eve of this fixture, Andrews should not want for attacking talent when the African becomes available for selection ahead of Brentford’s next game. But, even with his reign at the embryonic stage, his squad’s lack of authority at the back will be a real cause for concern.

Quattara’s presence should add some much-needed penetration, with Yehor Yarmoliuk spurning Brentford’s only clear-cut opportunity before they rallied a little during the closing stages. Jordan Henderson’s introduction midway through the second period injected a little more authority into their work. His entrance coincided with the awarding of a penalty to Brentford during the closing stages. Thiago, a peripheral figure until that point, duly converted after Ibrahim Sangara had been punished for handball.

Andrews will leave the east Midlands with plenty of food for thought following this ineffective display, which admittedly must be measured against the loss of Bryan Mbuemo and absence of Yoane Wissa as uncertainty continues to shroud his future at Brentford.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: M Sels, O Aina, N Milenkovic, Murillo, N Williams, I Sangare, E Anderson, D Ndoye (J Silva 78), M Gibbs-White (J Yates 84), C Hudson-Odoi, C Wood (I Jesus 78).  

BRENTFORD: C Kelleher, M Kayode, N Collins, S van den Berg, R Henry (A Hickey 88), Y Yarmoliuk, M Jensen (J Henderson 68), K Lewis-Potter (F Onyeka 68), A Milambo (K Schade 46), F Carvalho, I Thiago.