Brentford progressed to round 2 of the Carabao cup with a 3-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon, albeit needing extra time to complete the job. Yet with Nottingham Forest next up, the talk remains around that of captain Harlee Dean. Or, rather, former captain Harlee Dean. With the Sheffield Wednesday rumours hanging around like a bad smell and the player out of contract at the end of this season, Dean Smith has chosen to hand the armband to Nico Yennaris.
And if you’d like to read more whilst helping the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust …. the rest of this article can now be found in the Kindle e-book Ten Times Better. Brentford FC Season review: 2017/18. Inspired by ‘that’ interview it contains the least bad of these columns in one, handy volume as it looks at our own campaign as well as wider divisional life and the promotion / relegation races.
As a bonus there’s a whole host of new material. New that is, for my pages. Specifically, all the programme articles submitted (both home and away where, if nothing else, you can get the original versions of both Birmingham City and Millwall).
In addition, There Is No Plan B. Brentford FC Season reviews: 2013/14 – 2017/18 takes us all the way back to the start of this latest leg in the journey. That penalty. League One. Harlee Dean was a hero. Jota was something we thought happened to the temperature for one week in July. Alan Judge had joined on loan whilst the Marinus Experiment was something nobody had contemplated. Bringing things bang up to date by the inclusion of this year’s volume alongside the four previously published campaign round ups, it has five seasons in one weighty tome. As weighty as a download can be, that is.
Relive the memories. See how often the same material gets regurgitated. Remind yourself about the likes of Betinho, Martin Fillo, Javi Venta and Marcos Tebar. Certainly, if there’s no Marcos Tea Bar at Lionel Road it will be an opportunity missed.
All proceeds from any sales will go to the Community Sports Trust. For less than the cost of a half / pint respectively, they may help while away some time on the commute. By the pool on holiday. In the bathroom. Who knows? It will certainly do some good for the Trust, whose work has been well documented at Griffin Park but you can read all about it on their site.
And if that wasn’t enough, I’ve been given something very special. A 2017/18 third team shirt with Lewis Macleod’s squad number on the reverse in the EFL typeface. Anyone with half an interest in Bees kits will know that these were never made available in the club shop. Anyone who has read any of this before will know what a kit nerd yours truly is so when I say this is rare, take that in good faith!
To be in with a chance of owning it, download a copy of either before the end of June 2018 and you’ll go into a draw to win this. Just DM/tweet me (@NickBruzon) a copy of your purchase confirmation mail and I’ll add your name to the list before selecting a random Bees fan to win this on July 1st.
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
Dear Nick
This captaincy thing is a bit of an intriguing one.
My observation on this is a positive one as regards Nico. Two years ago he seemed on his way out (to Wycombe), but Lee Carsley showed great faith in him and Nico responded. Well done to the lad.
That Romaine Sáwyers bloke doesn’t score any average goals, does he?!
Regards
Gordon
I think Egan is the heir elect because i remember after he signed a new long term contract after his Eire cap (then subsequently dropped from the Bees first team) Dean had described him something along the lines of Egan being a future captain. Do i agree? Yes, but not yet. For me he’s one of our weaker defenders at present because he’s not comfortable on the ball. He reminds me of Harlee 2 – 3 years ago, physical, decent tackler but no finesse on the ball and passing could be a lot better. I’m a Dean / Barbet fan. Dean has won me over. It took a while but after he was given the arm band he became a better all round player. He does the step over buying himself time and drives the ball forward much better. His passes are much more accurate…he’s just a much better player now. And of Barbet, he is arguably the best long range passer we have and is not frightened to slide tackle and mix it. He can quickly turn defence into attack.
So do i believe it’s right that Dean has lost the captaincy? Yes, but for the reasons Smith has mentioned. And it’s important the manager is in regular dialogue with his former captain to make it clear he is wanted and will be granted the armband back were he to commit his medium term future to the club……IMHO. 😉