Keith Andrews Explains Why Brentford Must Evolve to Help Igor Thiago

Keith Andrews believes Brentford need to find different ways to create chances for Igor Thiago, as the Brazilian now gets the attention that comes with scoring 22 Premier League goals in a season.

Thiago has scored just one goal in seven league appearances this term, despite being Brentford's leading scorer last season. Andrews isn't suggesting anything is wrong with his centre-forward's desire or movement. He is looking at what Brentford can do around him, particularly when opponents are making it difficult for him to get into the positions where he caused so much damage last year.

"We constantly need to evolve how we are playing and how we are creating chances. Thiago at the moment is a very marked man," Andrews said ahead of Sunday's trip to Hull City.

"We've got goalscorers throughout the team; Thiago being Thiago wants to score more goals and he's certainly not far away."

Last weekend, Liverpool faced the challenge of keeping Thiago quiet while avoiding the danger of paying him too much attention. He did not score in the Bees' 2-1 defeat, but his cross from the right picked out Keane Lewis-Potter for the opening goal. The defender arrived in the area to finish what the Brazilian would normally score.

Earlier, Jérémy Jacquet had intervened to stop Thiago meeting Dango Ouattara's cross at the far post. Thiago also headed over from close range and, even after Brentford were reduced to ten men, had another opportunity when Jaidon Anthony found him in front of goal.

His only league goal so far came against Chelsea in September. Kevin Schade's shot was saved and Thiago reacted first to turn in the rebound, adding the second in a 3-0 home win. Seven matches is still a relatively short period for a striker who scored 22 times in the previous campaign, although Andrews will know opportunities haven't come as freely this season.

Brentford have not been short of goals in the meantime. Thirteen in seven Premier League matches have come from nine different players, and Lewis-Potter's header was another example of someone arriving to score while Thiago occupied the opposition defence.

Andrews has seen contributions from wide players, midfielders and defenders, with the Bees enjoying convincing home victories over Tottenham and Chelsea before Liverpool ended their unbeaten start last weekend.

Thiago's importance to the Bees was clearest last season, when he scored 22 league goals, making him the most prolific Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign. He started 37 of Brentford's 38 matches and became the focal point of their attack after an injury-disrupted first season in England.

That kind of return will always attract attention from opposition defenders. Brentford now have to find ways to create openings when their striker is closely watched, rather than relying on the same situations that brought him so much success previously.

This doesn't necessarily mean Thiago needs to change everything about his game. His physical presence remains important when Brentford play forward quickly, while his movement can create opportunities for teammates arriving from deeper positions.

The Liverpool game provided evidence of both, but also saw him miss an effort that many would have expected the Brazilian to finish.

Hull are next, having conceded just twice in their opening three home league matches since promotion. They have proved tougher opposition than many might have expected on their return to the Premier League, and Sergej Jakirović's side have been particularly difficult to break down at the MKM Stadium. Andrews will be looking for Brentford to respond to their first defeat of the season.

Thiago will be hoping for his second league goal on Sunday, although it’s clear Andrews appears equally concerned with making sure Brentford continue creating chances for the players around him.