Injury-hit seasons for Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey have left Brentford bereft of options at left-back, meaning Keane Lewis-Potter has shouldered the responsibility for this position for large swathes of the last 2 seasons. This season looks to be much the same. Here's why.
Thomas Frank first adopted this tactical idea in November of the 2024/25 season in a 3-2 win over Bournemouth (GW11). Seen as a success from the off, this was where Keane would regularly play for the remainder of the season, starting 25 of the last 27 games at left-back. Assistant manager at the time and now head coach, Keith Andrews, described Keane as “like a duck to water” when asked about how quickly he found success in his new role.
Role under Keith Andrews so far
Managerial change came and ideas altered slightly. Upon returning to his trusty left-back spot in Keith Andrews’ first home game as head coach, before the match Keane was described as “versatile” and somewhat “like a Swiss army knife”. Two things were clear from the off: Andrews is fond of a simile, and Lewis-Potter is firmly in the plans of the new head coach, wherever that may be on the pitch.
There is no doubt about it that Keane is predominantly seen as a left-back in the eyes of Andrews and his staff; however, his overall role has certainly spanned beyond just the left side of defence. Operating as a tactical tweaking outlet, Lewis-Potter is vital in the way Brentford can change the tide of important Premier League games.
Most notably, Lewis-Potter's tactical importance was evident in a crucial 3-2 win away at Newcastle in November last season. Starting in a left-wing position of the front 3 with Dango Ouattara coming in off the right, Keane and the attacking forces were looking lacklustre against a resolute Newcastle defence. The key that unlocked the winning door? Swapping wingers, putting Keane in an unconventional right-wing spot, leaving Ouattara up against a petrified Kieran Trippier. Soon enough, Ouattara got the beating of Trippier once and for all and stuck away the winning goal. Tactical versatility of Lewis-Potter, the ultimate creator of a vital goal as Brentford continued their charge up the table.
Since then, Keane has been seen anywhere across the two wings and left-back, but shored up his spot in the latter position towards the end of last season, playing every minute of the last 8 games on the left flank of defence.
Expectations for this season
After concluding a successful pre-season campaign this year with a superb, goal-scoring performance from left-back against Frankfurt on the weekend, there is little doubt about who will deservedly be taking the reins in a competitive position on Saturday against Spurs. It’s Keane’s to lose.
His role under Andrews last season and into this season is clear to see: firstly a left-back, but secondly a tactical weapon when needed. He is far from a left-winger reluctantly slotting in to fill a weakened spot. This is a left-back that is consistently beginning to look the real deal and is a truly rare asset for the team. A composed defender with the ability to transform into a tricky, game-changing winger is something of a rarity.
A huge season ahead for a massively underrated player that Brentford are incredibly lucky to have.
