It’s an obvious question. The turnaround that saw Brentford go from 0-2 down with 84 minutes on the clock to end the game as 3-2 winners over Millwall was one of those ‘I was there moments’. See also: Burton away, Fulham away or the time somebody laughed at Mrs. Browns Boys. Oh well, as Meatloaf once sang… And the simple answer is that we go again. This time to Swansea City where an intense period of Championship action resumes this evening with the hope that we forget about 2018/19….
What a finish on Saturday
It would be fair to say that whilst it probably can’t get any better than Saturday for The Bees, it certainly can’t get any worse than last season. Swansea were the Mrs. Brown to our sanity. An undefeatable nemesis whose performance against us in the FA Cup fifth round at The Liberty stadium was a humbling experience only made worse by their performance against in the League at The Liberty Stadium.
The 4-1 trashing administered in the cup, one which was earned from an Ollie Watkins inspired 0-1 HT lead. The turnaround in the second period was immense. Swansea scoring four times as they earned a quarter final at home to Manchester City, Daniel James earned a transfer to Manchester United and Neal Maupay earned the wrath of the BBC and (probably) Ian Moose. That after firing over late in the game .
The league game in April saw Brentford on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline in an encounter that had it been the proverbial boxing match, would have been stopped within the first minute after Nathan Dyer gave Swansea the lead with what even the BBC described at the time as “One of the fastest goals scored at the Liberty stadium”. Don’t forget, either, how we’d also lost the early season league game 3-2 after shipping three goals in an opening half hour that had already included a close to ten minute delay for an injury break. It would be fair to say that we were all well glad to see the back of Swansea City last season.
Swansea in the FA Cup wasn’t good.
That was then. This is now. Swansea are riding high in the table. Currently sitting in third position and surely favourites for this one tonight. Surely? Well, having already buried last season’s away shirt ‘hoodoo’ (there wasn’t one, but if it makes the brown/orange haters, of which there were apparently a few, then all the better) with our form on the road this time out, Brentford had THAT morale boosting win at the weekend. Ollie Watkins is at the business end of the Championship leading goalscorer charts whilst Bryan Mbuemo is looking as though he could be our latest hidden gem, unearthed. Sergi may be injured but the likes of Pontus and Said lead the the charge of players with their hearts on the sleeve. Josh Dasilva has discovered his appetite for goalscoring and seems to enjoy the taste.
Hats off to those travelling. Long midweek journeys provide a very easy option these days via the medium of the Sky ‘red’ button. There’s also the lure of iFollow for those of you who like your coverage ‘old school’. The excitement of the team as Ollie did his thing on Saturday very much akin to the moment Mark Burridge exploded up at Blackburn after Jota went on that little sortie forward.
I can’t call this tonight. The heart says Brentford. The table says Swansea. The Championship says anything can happen. All I’ll say for sure is that it can’t be as awful as last season. It can’t be exciting as Millwall. Can it…..?
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
It is difficult to understand the elation experienced at the end of the game against Millwall, but let me tell you of one of the greatest feelings of relief and exhilaration i ever experienced at Griffin Park. I cannot remember the date but it es about 60 years ago when my Dad and I never missed a game. I was a young teenager and it was one of those winter days when standing on the terraces your boned ached with cold and damp. Form memory it was the lowest crowd of the season and the opposition was the very unattractive Rochdale. Brentford were in the midst of a poor run (to be generous) and I think it was a Division IV fixture. The pitch in those days had no grass in the goal area and very little in the centre.
To say it was a dull game was a compliment. I actually think it was the worst Brentford display I ever witnessed – and I never missed a game.
It was 0 – 0 at 89 minutes and it never looked as though a goal would be scored if both teams had played for a week. I am not even sure if either team managed to threaten a goal, such was the shocking play of both teams.
Suddenly Brentford mounted an attack. There was a scramble near the Rochdale goal and someone, I cannot remember who, put boot to ball and it rolled so slowly over the goalmouth mud towards the goal. Desperate Rochdale defenders stained every sinew to catch to ball and boot it anywhere, but it trickled over the line.
Brentford 1 Rochdale 0. The whistle blew and the few supporters that had turned up, just a few thousand, perhaps 4,000 – 5,000 departed as one, exploded as though they had won the Cup (to borrow a phrase), Instantly forgetting 89 minutes of tedium, torture and downright frustration – but so proud of their Brentford team.
I will never forget that match, an absolute highlight of over 65 years following Brentford.
How I wish I had beed at the Millwall game to see if it matched my feelings that winter day years ago, but watching the highlights in Australia was absolutely wonderful.
Well done Brentford and everyone involved in creating this great Club.