Brentford’s Ezri Konsa and Chris Mepham will play at the highest level said their manager despite coming in for criticism in the Bees downturn in form.

Following their sixth defeat in seven, a 3-2 defeat by Sheffield United, questions have been asked of both 21-year-olds.

Thomas Frank however was quick to assure naysayers of the qualities of the pair but conceded there needs to be improvement.

“They are both going to play in the Premier League,” said Frank.

“But, they need to learn quick. Not only them, it’s the team that needs to learn.

“You can’t just single out the two young centre-backs because they want to win so badly.

READ: Player ratings from Brentford's 3-2 Sheffield United defeat

Such was the early season form of the pair, there was speculation of two £15million plus bids for each from Premier League outfits, one rumoured to be Arsenal.

But following Tuesday’s defeat, where Konsa got an own-goal following an error from Mepham, those interests may have dwindled.

Those looking in claim the pairing to be too in-experienced and that playing alongside a centre-half with the know how would improve the duo.

Ironically, the man that sticks out that could’ve helped them on Tuesday was John Egan, the defender the Bees sold to The Blades in the summer.

READ: REPORT:Brentford 2-3 Sheffield United Despite the claims, Frank maintained the stance he has throughout the recent run of defeats, that a level-headed and pragmatic view on things was needed.

“You can say that it is easier to learn with a more experienced man alongside, but you have to think the first six or seven games of the season it wasn’t a problem was it?

“When some players are down, other players need to step up and help each other. That’s what good teams do.

“And sometimes when you get into a bad spell, everything begins to be a bigger problem.

“And that’s what we need to minimise and improve"