Thomas Frank admitted some of his magnificent seven Cup stars will leave him with a selection headache ahead of the next two Premier League games. He admitted Marcus Forss’ four-goal salvo and a midfield masterclass from Mathias Jensen will present him with the nicest dilemma ahead of games against Liverpool and West Ham in the Premier League in the next ten days.

Thomas was delighted with the sharpness shown by the rest of the side that demolished lowly Oldham Athletic 7-0 to reach the Carabao Cup Fourth Round. A brace from Yoane Wissa and an own goal completed the rout from a side that showed 11 changes from the side that won at Wolverhampton Wanderers three days earlier.

“Marcus is doing everything he can in training every day. He’s a really good player we have big belief in. He scored four really good goals, showed a top workrate and was very aggressive in pressure with good link up play, so I guess that has to be a 10 out of 10,” said Thomas.

“Matty is I think one of our most important players in the last two seasons and that’s why it’s important he’s coming up to pace and getting sharper, because we need his quality. It’s 100 per cent a headache no doubt about that, but a nice one to have.”

He pointed to the ethos and mentality that runs through both the first and B team squads, insisting: “We want to go as far as possible in this competition. We’re not just in it for playing our reserves.”

Brentford took just three minutes to break the deadlock and raced into a five-goal lead by the break courtesy of a first half Forss hat-trick – and it was a start that left Thomas purring.

“The attitude was bang on from the first second. You could see the intensity in the pressure and counter pressing which are two very good markers if you want to see your team is at it,” he said.

“We kept going for the 90 minutes which shows a lot about the mentality in this group of players. We also scored some fantastic goals so it’s just adding to the performances we have already had out there.”

The Head Coach was also pleased to see players like Myles Peart-Harris, Mads Bidstrup and Fin Stevens continue to stake their claim for a spot in the first team squad, while Mathias was handed the captain’s armband that Thomas said his growing experience merited.

“Myles has worked very hard to earn his minutes today and he did well,” said Thomas: “We think he will be very good player. Fin is another who has performed well in training for the B team and now he got the minutes.”

As emphatic as the scoreline was, Thomas was equally pleased with the game time for players who will play key roles in the Premier League in the months ahead.

He said: “Zanka and Charlie Goode got time and a lot of players that needed 90 minutes got them – that’s very important for fitness and sharpness. I know I made 11 changes but it’s also because some needed that game time, plus we want to win and go to the next round ­– so it’s about finding that fine balance.”