“Oh Sammy Saunders, you are the love of my life. Oh Sammy Saunders, I’d let you…”. etc etc etc. That’s plenty. You know the rest and this is a family publication. Yet full tribute is due to the ever popular winger who played a starring role as Brentford drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Griffin Park last night in the ultimate game of two halves.
That goal . Oh, that goal. Those watching in the stadium erupted. Those listening in at home on Bees Player, well I don’t know what they did but I can imagine. Picking up the ball close to the half way line, he ran at Leeds. And ran.
Like a modern day Forrest Gump (except enjoyable) nobody could stop Sam as the United defence parted like the Red Sea. And then, when he’d had more time to think about it than anybody wants or needs, he blasted it home into the bottom corner.
Charging straight through on the middle of goal is one of the hardest things to do – certainly in terms of a finish. Just ask Clayton. Much as I loved the big man, he was so much deadlier cutting in from the side or acting on instinct rather than given time to look into the whites of the goalkeeper’s eyes.
Yet Sam made no mistake and gave Brentford a deserved first half lead. His link up play with Max Colin down the right flank saw the Bees at their most dangerous as possession was dominated but goals failed to arrive.
And it was his removal from play, along with the arrival of Toumani Diagouraga on the hour, that saw the balance really shift. Leeds pushed and pushed as they were allowed into the game with Brentford unable to penetrate in the gusty conditions. Being fair, the visitors probably deserved their equaliser with the only surprise being that Toums didn’t get it (much to the relief of the bookies).
That it came from a very rare defensive lapse is almost a moot point. That’s football. These things happen and, ultimately, had we wanted the win then you need goals.
![image[3]](https://nickbruzonslastword.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/image3.jpg?w=554&h=438)
Toumani makes his debut at Griffin Park as Steve Evans looks perplexed
Calm, assured and oozing confidence. Tackles under pressure were made with a minimum of fuss and it felt as thought he’d been sitting alongside Harlee for months rather than just a few days.
Fair play to Josh McEachran, too. I though he had his best game in a Brentford shirt by a country mile. The midfield axis with Ryan Woods gives great hope for the future, if they can do this again.
John Swift remains a ball of confusion. For every deft touch and little shimmy was a ball into touch or a missed pass but, in the end, it was one of the old guard – Sam Saunders – who pulled the strings. I’m so pleased for him, too. Regular readers of these pages will know of my own admiration for our longest serving player as Sam showed, yet again, how dangerous a team can be when you run forward with the ball.
We even got a return to ‘Saunders Territory’ as everyone’s favourite number 7 (seven) briefly resumed free kick duties from Alan Judge. That said, I do have to ask what is going on with our ‘dead ball’ coach? Despite more walls than an ice cream shop we failed to find the back of the net. Just give it to Sammy and let him whack it.
Bees 2 Leeds 2. The score in defensive walls
As for Steve Evans, it would be remiss not to talk about a visit from the ever popular Leeds manager. The Ealing Road were at their most vocal with the larger than life character (I said it was a family publication) being on the business end of most chants.
“Does McDonalds know you’re here?” went one. I’m not sure if it was any better than the misheard equivalent that one terrace observer just behind me thought was being sung.
“Why on earth would Madonna know he’s here?” was one question I never thought I’d hear asked. Worse, the mental imagery it then conjured up.
Some things are, perhaps, left in the dark recesses of the mind.
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
Good article Nick, I am also impressed with the Barbet and Colin, I really like the latter’ sat tacking spirit, but must you pander to the puerile, with your unnecessary digs re-Stevo’s weight and size; you chastised a commentator on your site, recently, re-calling the imports at BFC, “Johnny foreigner”, but it’s ok for you to do this; a bit passé, non pc? Evans has a much better record of achievements than Smith; 4 [four ] v 0 [NIL], on the promotion escutcheon; so I hope you won’t de demeaning yourself in future, with cheap shots!
Yes. Yes. No.
So close to a first ever compliment from you, Rodi. Maybe next time.
To be honest, I’ve never maintained any pretensions of being high brow. This is the self-confessed ‘numpty on the terrace’ you are talking about.
That said, I’d never agree with anyone being labelled ‘Johnny Foreigner’. Nice to have your support there.
As for Steve Evans..well he IS a larger than life character. Outspoken, vociferous and usually with a blinkered sound bite. See also: Sir Alex Ferguson, Russell Slade, Jose Mourinho. Or are you suggesting he is a shy, retiring mouse.
Believe me, if I wanted to be rude about his size then it would have been quite explicit . The crowd sang many songs, one of which was heard as Madonna.
I don’t know about you but I’m certainly of a sensitive disposition when it comes to imagining the self-titled ‘Queen of Pop’ in any sort of situation with anyone. 57 year olds desperately trying to hang on to their youth just aren’t my thing.
As ever, the offer remains to demonstrate your own blogging prowess. Happy to run a column if you’d like to write one. Thanks, as ever, for reading . Genuinely appreciate your own going support of a column that clearly seems to upset you .
Nice one Nick.
Thanks hobo. Much appreciated 🙂
Nick, as ever, you try to,twist a heartfelt comment on to the speaker, to try and gain a “one over”. It is sad, because, you are the only lively commentator for BFC; I am not perturbed by your manouvering, I wil continue to,use your site for my comments, until you silence me.
You slip my point, about Stevo being a Very capable manager and worthy of respect; but, there again, you have joined the vindictive cabal, on many an occasion before, on your site.
I think it shows your unfortunate tendency to lower your calibre, that you welcome the usual nasty line of the “Hobo”; It is really funny that, that idiot, took his new name from me; his previous cover, was “Hobbo”. I mocked him, with the
nomenclature “Hobo”; if you align yourself with such an opponent of free speech, you do yourself a grave injustice.
Nice words Rodi. However, I’m not into point scoring, getting one over or manouevring. Being honest, I’m just not that clever. I just say it as a I call it.
I’ll never silence you, or anybody. People can post what they want. That said, be aware that the site itself has an auto filter (not my doing) that sometimes means comments need to be manually approved and, as such, they may not go up / be responded to until the end of the day.
I welcome all opinions, even if yours have been particularly vitriolic about myself and ‘hobo’ at times. It doesn’t bother me – but I’m not going to side with one fan over another.
You seem to take objection with just about everything I write. That’s your privilege, of course. I’ll keep on going – sometimes considered, sometimes angry, sometimes puerile, sometimes hitting the mark. Usually missing.
I don’t claim to be anything I’m not. I love football and I love our team / club. You know what – I also respect the fact you really seem to care, even if I don’t agree with your comments just as you don’t agree with mine.
Couldnt make the game last night because of work. Unfortunately, the short notice rearrangement didnt work in my favour.
Really pleased for Sam. He is one of the most criticised players at the club at the mo, and rather unfairly criticised. Using his experience he does a lot of work off the ball which goes unnoticed by the majority. And what a joy to see. A Brentford player moving forwards and keeping going, and then actually shooting!
I have been a big fan or Barbet’s ever since I first saw him in the game up at Elland Road. Composed, intelligent, great timing and with a killer pass. For me the more natural successor to number 26. Would like to see him stay in the side until the season’s end.
Thanks BQ. The current shortcomings in a nutshell: “And what a joy to see. A Brentford player moving forwards and keeping going, and then actually shooting”