Chelsea 0 Brentford 2. What a scoreline and what a game. What a triumph for Thomas Frank and what a disaster (another one) for Frank Lampard. With just five games to go – and the visit from Nottingham Forest next up on Saturday – could the Bees retain their position as the best placed club in West London? Might Europe be on the cards still?
The Premier League Twitter feed captures it perfectly
Saturday’s game with Nottingham Forest will go a long way to helping answer those but, for now, we need to look back at the game with Chelsea. Who shone for Brentford? Who was our star player? Who makes the top five and who leads the race to become our season long top performer?
Where to even begin tonight? Possibly the most exciting Premier League campaign in living memory reaches a true turning point. A proper ‘winner takes all’ encounter, should either team be brave enough to go for it. Sure, there may be the small matter of Manchester City v Arsenal but for me its all about the more significant battle between blue and red. The derby between Chelsea and Brentford. The chance for one of these teams to lay down a marker in the battle to end the season West London’s best top flight team. Then there’s the small matter of last season. Will revenge be on the agenda for Thomas Tuchel’s / Graham Potter’s / Frank Lampard’s Chelsea?
Last time out was a LOT of fun
That was some game last season. The trashing administered at Stamford Bridge by Brentford about as exciting and unexpected an away day as they get. The Bees were rampant. Chelsea blown away. The Bees 1-0 down early into the second half turning into that most wonderful of final scores. 4-1 in favour of Brentford and every bit value for money. The fire-drill from the home support true evidence of how brutal this had been.
Of course, we’ve since had the small matter of our trip to The Ethiad this season where Manchester City were the latest to be shocked by Thomas Frank’s team. The Brentford enigma less an unexpected surprise and more an expectation these days. Any team CAN be beaten anywhere. But for some rogue officialdom denying Bryan’s early goal, Arsenal may well have fallen to the same fate. A 1-1 draw in their library scant reward for another Blitzkrieg Bee’s performance.
I thought we were wonderful against Aston Villa on Saturday (and you can read the deep dive / player ratings from that game here). A 1-1 draw as much the ultimate lesson in taking your chances when presented. That late equaliser as hearbtreaking as they come but take nothing away from a rampant Villa side. Indeed, their own defeat of fulham last night has done us a favour in the potential season end bragging right stakes. Whetehr it has hampered our own European push (incredibly, still not a typo) remains to be seen
Thomas went for four at the back on Saturday – a decision largely influenced by Skipper Pontus Jansson now out and having finished his time at the Gtech – barring some sort of medical miracle. Given his tendency to mix it up I suspect he may be three this time around. Zanka the obvious candidate to come in at the expense of Kevin Schade. The German wunderkind is fast looking like our next big thing and will be a wonderful option from the bench, if needed.
The slightly less obvious question will be in the midfield. Christian Norgaard is confirmed as absent already which means a likely start for either josh Dasilva or Shandon Baptiste alongside Vitaly and Matthias. Which way does Thomas go? What about Mikkel Damsgaard?
I thought the later was wonderful in the game against Fulham. Woeful when he started his next up at Everton. Get the right Damsgaard and he’s an absolute gimme. Get it wrong and we’re Brentford, innit. Who knows. One thing’s for sure, take anything you read here with a huge pinch of salt.
Those other longer term questions – will David Raya sign a new contract. Just what is happening off-field with Ivan Toney – remain no closer to being answered. The one thing anyone can see is that neither player is being affected by the conjecture. Quite the opposite. Ivan’s goal against Aston Villa was an absolute beauty (with kudos to MOTM Bryan Mbeumo in that one).
As for our goalkeeper, he has looked about as brilliant as we have ever had between the sticks. As reliable and solid as it is possible to hope for in a number 1. With his fellow countryman David de Gea having an absolute stinker at Old Trafford, our own player’s value is showing just how high it might get .
That’s for then. This is for now. You can take your title deciders and shove them where the sun don’t shine. Which is everywhere at the moment. For me, it’s all about West London. All about seeing if we can get half-way close to last season. All the pressure is on Frank (Lampard rather than Thomas). There’s no game I’d rather be watching.
However you follow it – on TV or at the ground – enjoy. Be loud. Bring it on !
Allan Cockram is a man on a mission. Or, rather, missions. The immediate one of which involves the phrase, “Graeme Le Saux in his stand up debut”. That’s not a typo. Then again, any of us with even a passing knowledge of the man who made his name in the Brentford side of the late 80s / early 90s will be aware that he does unconventional not only for fun but now, it seems, for a living. With the Bees first team preparing for the game at Southampton, March 15th sees him organising a comedy night at the Gtech for his Brentford Penguins DS football team that has been up and running since 2017. The former Chelsea and Saints full back is undoubtedly the surprise name on a stellar bill that also features Sally Philips, Ronni Ancona, Alistair McGowan, Sarah Kendall and Milton Jones.
Not a typo – this is REALLY happening
Tickets are on sale at the moment – albeit moving fast – for a night that features a bill more akin to one you’d find Live at the Apollo rather than the more intimate setting of our own Legends Lounge. You can get them here and all funds made are going to the Brentford Penguins Football Club for players with Down’s Syndrome.
They are the longest running of Allan’s various teams all set up under a broader club banner that has taken on a life of its own. In his own words, “The last probably two to three months have been crazy.” So much so that Cockers is now at the point of giving up work to devote 100% of the time to a project that has had a men’s walking football team up and running for twenty weeks aswell as women’s over 40s.
That’s just part of it. He is in the process of looking to attain charitable status – something in itself which, for understandable reasons, is nowhere near as simple as just asking the charities commission. The Penguins team will be guard of honour when Brentford host Leicester City next month. All this is before we get to the Independent film being made about the team, with filming under way for three weeks already.
I caught up briefly with Allan during the week to find out a bit more about what he’s up to at present. Primarily to talk about the comedy night but as much to see how the Penguins are going. As he put it so succinctly, “Its been five and half years and I don’t know where it’s gone. Honestly, it’s been the greatest thing in my life“.
Outside of all this, he’s also training blind children to play and is looking to devote a fourth arm of what is now the Planet Penguin banner, to either them or a side for setting up a team for those suffering from Parkinsons. The overall Penguins banner has his men branded the Emperors, the women Empresses, this new team will be the Rockhoppers and of course we have the Penguins. “The women’ team will start next month but the blind stuff is really the difficult one. I’m training them but we need one coach for every two kids and an indoor facility. The Parkinsons one is the one that is close to me. It so heartfelt – for that hour they don’t have Parkinsons but there’s not a lot of them about . There’s one in London and one in Saint Albans”.
Ultimately, it is with the kids where it all started back in 2017 and which is the current focus. Even if the longer term aspiration, something which is already happening though natural order, is the coming together of all his groups. “My thing is to be as one. Already the Emperors come and support the kids.”
In the last 8-12 months Brentford have been so very supportive. The comedy night – Sally Phillips , I’ve trained her son for a couple of years. She said to me about a month ago that we’d like to do a comedy night to raise funds for you guys. Me, Sally and my wife went to Brentford and they said they’d like to help. They’ve been fantastic.
Milton Jones posted the original tempting poster. I’m so excited. Alistair McGowan, he’s patterning with Ronni Ancona and what’s exciting for me is that it’s Graeme Le Saux’s first stand up gig. Its an honour he’s chosen us although its probably a safe environment …..”
There’s a walk to the ground ahead of the Leicester City game – albeit with pickups along the way to help those who may not be as comfortable with the full 7.2 miles – from DS headquarters in Twickenham to the Gtech This will then culminate with 20-30 kids then acting as the aforementioned guard of honour. It’ll be quite the week with comedy on the 15th and then football on the 18th.
On pitch, things are going great guns. An all inclusive atmosphere permeates thorough everything Allan does and talks about. “When we’ve trained the children we’ve never turned away anyone. We turn away no-one and have no age difference. We train, play a match against everyone and then interview everyone after the game.
The men’s one, I didn’t advertise it as such but it has panned out it is all men. Everyone has been very vocal about mental health and the reason I did the walking football was seeing it when I was out in Spain. There was about 16 ex-pats who all played then went for dinner. I discovered that some had lost their wives, some had retired there but this football brought them all back together. I see it now with our lads, being told ‘I’ve got my husband back. He’s starting to be creative now’.
I saw the stress a lot of the men were under and suddenly a simple game like football is a wonderful remedy. They’re of an age when they don’t really want to talk about it either so its great for people bringing them together.
One gets the impression that the men’s team, and the health benefits – both mental and physical – are as important to Allan as anything he has ever done. Such is the passion with which he talks. Then again, that’s him in general. His team have lost 42lbs in four weeks as a result of their Tuesday morning training sessions at the Gunnersbury Sports Hub. At the heart of the community – both literally and geographically. As he tell me, if you drop the pin in the map of the park it points right to us
Not surprisingly, conversation turns back to the kids and an unexpected revelation as to their own evolution in recent years. It was that byword for misery and social exclusion – covid – that actually brought them closer together than ever and has since shaped the way the club runs.
“I quickly realised we have two teams. All the kids and the parents. One is a support network . We all go out together. Not just the training but we socialise together,. We celebrate birthdays together. They’re all wonderfully supportive.
What transformed us was Covid. When it kicked in we lost everything. The kids didn’t understand just why football stopped. They’re ready, they have their kit on but then it stops. You cold see the impact it had on them in so many ways.
DS Active said that as an independent club any decision to continue was ours. I asked all the parents and Barr one, they asked to continue. So we did socially distant training but we’d get abuse in Gunnersbury Park. You can’t always socially distance kids and they’d be jumping all over me but, actually, it changed our training. I had a brainwave and got the parents to join in. The sisters and brothers too. The parents can have a chat too. It changed our club. It transformed us.
As if Allan doesn’t have enough o the immediate horizon, he is still thinking bigger. Thinking longer term. Once charitable stays is granted fund-raising proper and the next step in his teams evolution can really take off.
“Brentford have said we can have a room.. We’ve spoken to them and want to set up pathway to work for these kids. The hardest age group for them is senior school. My ambition is to have a school. They don’t need to be taught geography but they need to be taught independence and I don’t see why I couldn’t set this up – a sixth form school. That’s my ambition for the kids. “
All that’s to come. For now, the next target is the comedy night at the Gtech. Then the walk for Leicester City and the guard of honour. Perhaps even an Indepedent film festival…
Penguins. Emperors. Empresses. Rockhoppers. Personally speaking, I struggle supporting one team let alone with the concept of running four. Amongst other things. It seems apart to leave the last word to the man himself. “The thought of running four teams…. I don’t know how we’re going to do it but we will”.
Nick Bruzon
If you’d like to read more about the Brentford Penguins Football club for players with Down’s syndrome then you can do so here.
Last time out Brentford fans were left celebrating a 2-0 win over Brighton. A return to form and the obvious question of whether we could carry it on against Chelsea at the Gtech last night. Despite a host of injuries, the Bees played out a thrilling 0-0 that had both sets of fans on the edge of their seats for the full 90. With the trip to Aston Villa next up, will Thomas Frank and his team be able to carry on at this pace?
Happy fans at full time
For now, though, time to look back. On a night that ended with Brentford sitting ninth in the Premier League, who shone against a Chelsea team packed with stars (and a top, top goalkeeper)? Have any of our bench players done sufficient to make the starting XI for the Aston Villa game? Who was star player? Who else made the top five in the season long quest to find the top Bees’ performer?
Wednesday evening and Brentford welcome Chelsea to the Gtech for a 7.30pm kick off. A slightly unusual time although, for those of us living close to the ground, a more sociable one. Good luck to those coming from further afield or those Manchester United fans heading back to London after their own game with Spurs kicks off at 8.15pm tonight. The price fans pay for the broader carve up of TV football. Don’t even start about Christmas and New Year fixture times…. Yet for now, with the 2-0 defeat of Brighton still fresh in the memory, all focus is on another encounter with the team from Stamford Bridge. There can’t be anyone amongst us who could forget what happened the last time we met. Could a repeat be on the cards?
What an afternoon at Stamford Bridge
It’s unlikely, let’s be honest. Brentford were magnificent that afternoon and whilst fully deserving of our 4-1 win, that was then. This is now. Ownership and management have changed. Graham Potter has his team back in form with five wins and four clean sheets on the bounce, including a Champions League double over AC Milan. Incredible though that afternoon back in April was, and it was, a repeat scoreline is priced at 90/1 with the bookmakers. Lightning doesn’t strike twice, does it?
That’s not to say Brentford won’t fancy their chances. Ivan Toney is very much the man of the moment and the opening goal of his brace against Brighton is one of those that can’t be watched enough. Even our Harry had it on repeat over breakfast yesterday. The vision, skill and confidence to even take on that back heel, let alone pull it off, was something to behold. Next level brilliance. His second, from the penalty spot, oozing that unearthly calm with which we are all so familiar yet still end up baffled by a technique which has do far proved to be unstoppable for The Bees.
Ivan did it again from the spot on Friday
The downside is our injury prognosis. Thankfully, the return of Ethan Pinnock has been timed to perfection. With Thomas Frank revealing yesterday that Pontus Jansson is out until after the World Cup, we’ll now be seeing that partnership with Ben Mee given a chance to flourish. Also absent for the same period will be Aaron Hickey. He missed the Brighton game and is now out for a similar period to his captain after suffering ligament damage following a twisted ankle. The plus side is the ability of Kris Ajer and Mads Roerslev to fill in – depending on whether we play two or three centre backs – but there can be no doubting the loss that Aaron will be. A player who had very much hit the Premier League ground running and was making early inroads into the season long campaign to find our own star player for the season.
With reserve goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also out for a few months (if I recall correctly he injured an ankle saving a Kris Ajer penalty in training, but don’t @ me if my memory is playing up) then we’re definitely looking a little thinner. It goes without saying Thomas won’t want Neil Greig knocking on his door any time soon although the plus-side being that at least Christian Norgaard has been pictured in training once more.
Out on the grass and being match fit are two toady different things but there’s no doubting the boost that seeing last years player of the season has brought to fans.
Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of this soon
As long as we don’t suffer any further fitness blows then Thomas Frank still has enough about his squad to give anybody a match. Something Brighton discovered on Friday night where despite dominating the possession stats, the Seagulls were clinically despatched in a manner that gave huge encouragement. But for the woodwork, Bryan Mbeumo might also have had a wonder goal added to his tally. Plus ca change. It’s 2021/22 all over again.
For all we’re revelling in the memory of that 4-1, a more pertinent indication of the Chelsea danger would be the 1-0 defeat inflicted earlier that season. Édouard Mendy in nets was simply incredible for the visitors that night, keeping his team alive during a backs to the wall second-half from the battling Bees. A point was the least our performance suggested but as we always say, deserved to gets you nothing. Stats and possession are worth naff all (just ask Brighton). Balls in the back of the net are the only thing that count. If anybody has a point to prove it won’t be Chelsea. It will be Brentford.
I can’t wait to discover which way this one will play out. Roll on, err 7.30pm. Bring it on and see you there.
In the meantime, please do take a look at the Brighton post match debrief and our current star player review. You can find that here. Thank you .
Finally, and its a bit awkward talking about myself, I’ve been approached by so many supporters this season asking about these pages – namely the fact that they have all but gone to sleep – and the programme articles. Specifically asking why have they both stopped?
Being honest, I love talking and writing about Brentford. Likewise the enjoyment it seems to bring and the kinds words are always appreciated more than anybody could imagine. Equally though, life is just SO busy at the moment and there’s only so much one can blog about orange balls in the snow and the correct use of brackets after a 7(seven) goal trashing or berate Mrs Browns, boys, The England ‘supporters’ ‘band’, people drinking ‘espresso’ (it’s a blinkin’ S, not x), Star Wars Day etc etc etc
Why? Why? Put them in a car park and let them sort it out rather than bother us
Mainly though, I don’t have the time and last season saw the blog, two programme articles and a piece for Hollywood Bets competing equally for time and attention. So the decision was made to cut back on these pages and focus on the Star player pieces, which are always good fun to write and have seen the two different columns slowly merging. We still may post the other stuff up here but it will be a lot, lot less for now.
As for the programme pieces, ask the club. I’ve no idea. Having done these for years and years for nothing more than enjoyment, there was no out reach from them over the summer. Dropped like Alvaro Fernandez reaching for a cross or simply the fact that we’re a Premier League club now who employ professionals rather than rely on the good intent of plucky amateurs and want a fresh approach? Who knows? It was fun whilst it lasted and very much an opportunity I’m grateful for. Thank you.
Good luck to the team there producing what is always a wonderful read. Tonight’s issue is no exception with the club using it to promote life saving CPR skills. We’ll have a heart-shaped ‘CPQR code’ on the over and our shirts – a gesture as wonderful as naming our training centre after Rob Rowan. Something that has been met with universal acclaim amongst the Bees faithful.
Yet or those wondering if I’m in it still then the answer is, sadly (as much given the circumstances) a no. Like I say, I hate talking about myself but given I’m currently being asked about this by lots of our fans, thought it best to save you the effort. That said, if anyone wants to talk Brentford then go for it. I’m the one in green jacket.
Even a week on, it’s impossible not to still be smiling if you are a Brentford fan. The 4-1 humping administered to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (even Real Madrid only got a 3-1 there a few days later) up with the very best we’ve ever witnessed our Bees on the road. Think how incredible it was seeing Yoanne Wissa grab that late, late winner at West Ham earlier in the season then multiply the feel-good factor by a zillion. The same player doing the same thing at Stamford Bridge, although of course, but that point the game was well out of sight. Chelsea supporters had already performed an exemplary fire drill routine at the far end and this time the goal was the cherry on the icing on the cake. An afternoon that will live long in the memory and now one that gives the chance to step on with Sunday’s visit from West Ham.
Players celebrating with the fans as the goals fly in
Brentford will be chomping at the bit to get back out there. To pick up where we left off at Chelsea. A week to recover from the huge shift put in sees the same matchday squad available. Josh Dasilva still misses out although, incredible though it sounds to say this, even fit he’d have been doing well to force his way in – such was the performance last weekend. Instead, the main decision Thomas Frank has to make will be whether to tick with the 3 centre backs or revert to the traditional back four employed in the defeats of Norwich City and Burnley.
Nobody saw it coming at Carrow Road ; even when the team was announced. People expected more of the same at Stamford Bridge. Including yours truly. Instead, switching back to our more defensive set up actually resulted in one of our most devastating performances of the campaign. Brentford very much pushing up with Christian Eriksen dominant. Everything will, one again, go through him when we step out against West Ham. He’s just too good not to. That’s not to diminish the performance of anyone else with Brentford showing just how good we can be when everybody is on their game. When the balance is right. When you play with confidence. When the crowd are behind you. The reverential hush of Stamford Bridge shattered by the non-stop roar from the Bees’ faithful. What a huge difference it made.
Christian Eriksen – the superlatives are fast running out
I’ve given up trying to outthink or predict what Thomas Frank will do. For all the snide comments about our head coach and our squad, we’re doing phenomenally. We’re pulling the results out of the bag. The Norwich, Burnley and Chelsea games have seen 9 goals and nine points.
The only recent blip being Leicester City away. Even that could, perhaps should, have been different but if nothing else, the absence of that man Eriksen showing just how important he is to us. Enjoy him while you can and keep everything crossed we’re somehow able to talk him in to staying for another season.
The Bees can feel hard done by at Leicester City
As for West Ham, they’re likely to be in as fine spirits as ourselves. Thursday night saw a 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals. The chance of reaching the last four still very real, although David Moyes is playing the ‘league places’ card and (outwardly) very much fighting on two fronts. Will he freshen up with the fringe players or go for broke? All but two of his starting XI lasted the full 90 minutes against Lyon and with much of the game played with 10 men (Aaron Cresswell seeing red just before half-time) will changes come? Will the focus be on what is a very realistic chance of lifting a European trophy?
One has to hope so. If for no other reason it’ll give them the chance to move on from 1966 or winning the FA Cup in 1980. Trevor Brooking’s header now 42 years on although you’d be forgiven for thinking it was yesterday.
Whomever David Moyes goes with, Said Benrahma will be keen to impress. There was no doubting the love for him from Brentford fans in his time with us. Thanks to Covid we never got to say a proper goodbye whilst the game at the Olympic stadium saw his threat nullified. He’ll likely start this one, too. If for no other reason than being the one to make way at half-time as David Moyes rejigged his side to cope with their self-inflicted on pitch deficit. As ever, the solution will be in taking the game to our opponents and cutting out the playmaker. In keeping the ball, breaking at pace and pinging it around with precision. Rico, Bryan and Christian (Eriksen) will be key to this.
What a swansong from Said.
Sunday is going to be huge. For both teams. Brentford can still make the top ten of the Premier League. Every win and point will be vital. West Ham will have even loftier ambitions, sitting just three points behind fourth placed Tottenham as it stands. It’s frustrating to have had the game pushed back a day but that’s always the risk as we hit the business end of the season. Instead, today can be spend watching the next stage of the relegation battle. If nothing else, the midweek review of those teams facing the drop (and calling the final three) has very much upset Leeds United fans. Barely anyone else took the bait although I still stand by that call. Everton – Manchester United this lunchtime is going to be fascinating.
There may be more games moved, in theory. Brentford official shared the below update following the Chelsea – Real Madrid game. So the game with Tottenham will be played on Saturday 23rd April, then.
Until then, the ‘top five’ player review from the Chelsea game is online and up. Talk about tough decisions to be made – of the best sort.
Sadly, 11 into 5 just won’t go. No matter how much you try to crunch the numbers.
As a final thought, I may be biased but the cover for tomorrow’s matchday programme is just stunning. Top, top work from Dave Flanagan. Very much a work of art and poster quality stuff. May well have to get one of these framed up.
Top cover art from Dave
For what its worth, I think it’s his best of the season to date. Hats off all round for the team that put this one together. As much for the decision not to go with a cat motif. Kurt Zouma, we’re looking at you. Meow.
I can’t wait for this one. The sun is out and the place is buzzing. Bring it on and see you there.
Is there anything else can be said off the back of Brentford trashing Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday ? Well, yes. As Thomas Frank and his side now get ready for the weekend’s visit of 1980 FA Cup winner’s West Ham, we look back at the game just gone.
What an afternoon at Stamford Bridge
As ever at this point, time to see who was the Brentford star man. Who made the top five against Chelsea? Can we whittle it down from a choice of 11? Does Josh Dasilva have any hope of breaking into the starting XI against 1966 World Cup winners West Ham on Sunday? Who is leading the hunt for our overall top-rated (on a game by game basis) player of 2021-22.
Sometimes there just aren’t sufficient words. Football of the highest order. An afternoon of the most incredible passion. Brentford putting in one of our best ever performances on the road as Chelsea were ripped a new one at Stamford Bridge. The 4-1 scoreline truly deserved as the Bees turned on the style in a manner not seen since, perhaps, Fulham away (the Stuart Dallas game) in our first Championship season. This was next level, though. Champions of Europe? You’re having a laugh ! Third in the Premier league and blown away as easily as an empty crisp packet caught on the breeze. Brentford were ruthless. Dominant. Outstanding. Ballsy. Devastating. Chelsea made to look second class citizens. Real Madrid now, surely, about to face the most enormous backlash when they visit the Bridge on Wednesday. That’s their problem though. This is all about the Bees. This is all about another chapter being written in the story that keeps on giving. What a way to warm up for West Ham next week.
Celebrations for the first goal (of our four. That’s four)
We’d come into this one with a ‘nothing to lose’ approach. Christian Eriksen was back after missing out at Leicester City through Covid and his stock was high after the most wonderful return to international action during the two week break. Yet even a devil may care attitude or the inclusion of a player who is up there with the best in the world, couldn’t prepare us for what came next. For the scenes in the crowd. For the noise that not so much drowned out Chelseas as silenced them (36 minutes on the clock before we heard our first decent noise from our hosts). For the performance of a Brentford side who, after going in 0-0 at half time, came back out to score more times in 45 minutes at the Bridge than even David Mellor might have achieved in his most hedonistic days (don’t visualise it, don’t visualise it).
With Brentford reverting to the three centre backs that had seen us so cautious on the road previously, any thought that we’d come to suck it up was quickly dispelled. Brentford taking the game to the opposition. Eriksen pinging it around. Bryan, Rico and Mads Roerslev slicing through the channels. The Bees on top and, err, pushing up. 0-0 at half-time giving confidence that we could perhaps snatch something. What came next is up there with the most crazy scenes and the incredible results we’ve ever borne witness to. Limbs? It was like an explosion in a doll factory.
Ironically, it was Chelsea who scored first. As at Arsenal, just minutes into the second half and the score turned from 0-0 to our hosts taking the lead. Unlike at Arsenal, this was a flash in the pan. Granted, a moment of brilliance but one that was a bolt from the blue rather than the eventual culmination of pressure, pressure, pressure. Antonio Rüdiger’s shot from distance moving through the air, clipping the inside of the post and finding the back of the net. David Raya close but unable to keep it out. The ball leathered in from over thirty yards out and a wonderful strike. Hats off Chelsea. Yet anyone thinking this was now a done deal was bout to be rudely awoken.
Within seconds , Vitaly Janelt had levelled it up. Bryan Mbeumo teeing up as he took two defenders out of the game and the German fired home form just inside the box. Bees fans erupted. An outpouring of equal parts disbelief and joy. What a moment ! Yet here was better to come. Two minutes later and Christian Eriksen had given us the lead. Again, Mbeumo the architect. His run up field on the counter attack culminating with a beautifully placed ball to Christian Eriksen. The Dane carving a hole deep into the Chelsea defence and making no mistake with his first time effort. Oh, the smile from the player . The clenched fist. The outpouring of love from the stands. The players again celebrating in the corner in front our the travelling faithful. It was dreamland for Brentford, and there was more to come.
That’s the lead!
Within the hour, it was 3-1 Brentford. Again, Vitaly Janelt. Again, Bryan with a hand. Again. Freeing up Ivan for a quite delicious pass. Though the eye of a needle. Three defenders taken out in one touch and Janelt lofting it over Mendy from the corner of the six yard box. The crowd going bonkers.
This was madness. In the best sense. Another celebration from the players in the same corner. Their broad grins and screams of joy telling you everything about what this meant. About our team spirit. About the sheer incredulity of the situation. What a moment. 60 minutes gone. Brentford now leading Chelsea by 2 goals. Clear air and the gap growing ever bigger.
There’s the third goal
There was more to come. Much more. A disallowed goal for Chelsea. The correct call, btw. Another chance down the far end that should have been buried. The home fans then pouring out en-masse. Their supporters leaving The Bridge as quickly as the points. The home end looking as though the previously imposed sanctions had been reintroduced . There were more empty seats than a studio recording of Mrs. Browns Boys. Was this why they had played ‘The Liquidator’ as the team first took the field of play?
Yet if the Chelsea fans had given up, the opposite was true for Brentford. The team being roared on at ear shredding volume. Wissa coming off the bench and, with his first touch, doing to Chelsea what he had done to West Ham earlier in the season. A late goal – albeit this time the cherry on the icing on the cake rather than the decisive strike. The result was the same. Brentford fans all over the place and the trademark celebration, arms aloft in that W pose. 4-1 Brentford. Moments left. This time it really was game over. This time, it was history being made. No crumbling to the reputation beforehand. No concession to their galaxy of stars or the Champions League winners’ badge that adorned the blue jerseys. Just sheer, unadulterated guts and joy.
And that’s four…
The celebrations continuing long after full time. Nobody going anywhere. Players and staff celebrating with the fans. Savouring the moment. Peter Gilham in the front row of the upper tier showing just why this was the perfect birthday present. He’s seen it all but surely nothing like this in his 75 years. Walking out afterwards, catching up with friends we’d missed in the stadium.. The reaction – universal. An almost numb feeling of joyous disbelief. That three pint buzz followed by a lot more, for real. Tim Lovejoy. Tim Lovejoy. Tim Lovejoy. Your boys took one hell of a beating. And it was magnificent.
There’s more to come on this. If nothing else, trying to pick the ‘top five’ for our post match player review. For now, though, let’s just bask in what was one of the single best ever Brentford performances. A proper ‘I was there’ moment.
Sunday morning and I’m still smiling. Match Of The Day just rewatched for the third time. This was special. Next level stuff. Now bring on West Ham…
Another international break is done and dusted. Brentford are back in action with the visit to Chelsea this Saturday afternoon. This, the first of four London derbies that take place over April with the trip to Stamford Bridge followed by West Ham (h), Watford (a) and then the month being completed with the televised visit from Spurs. Having gone down 2-1 at Leicester City last time out, it’s probably fair to say that an improbable last tilt at the European places is now off the table but top ten is still feasible. Just 6 points separate us and a Foxes team currently straddling the meridian line that separates top from bottom in the Premier League.
It was good to clear the head over the last two weeks. There has still been a feast of football to enjoy. And the England games, too, where Harry Maguire became the target of the domestic boo boys because, well go figure. Football, eh? Sorry, sorry. Supporters pay for their tickets so their own players are fair game. Apparently. On a more positive note, there was a debut for David Raya when Spain beat Albania whilst Christian Eriksen made all the headlines with not one but two goals in his two games for Denmark.
Just about everything he does puts a huge smile on the face. I still can’t believe he’s playing for Brentford and his goals during the break were of the highest quality. Game by game he’s looking better and better. The West London derby will be all the better for his return to the side after missing out at Leicester with Covid. Who knows what might have been had he been available for that one.
Instead, he gets the chance to face a Chelsea side who may have half an eye on the midweek Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. If nothing else, how often do these three teams get mentioned in the same paragraph in genuine context? Times are changing – and for the better.
Whilst Eriksen was the main talking point our other Christian, Norgaard, was there with the assist for the goal against the Netherlands whilst Mathias Jensen also made it on the pitch – meaning at one point Denmark had that triple Brentford midfield. With Josh Dasilva back from his red card suspension but now suffering from a hamstring injury, expect the same again at some point today – albeit Vitaly Janelt likely to start over our number 8.
As for David Raya, what a moment in Spain. A first international appearance and something reflective of the wonderful form he has been in this season for Brentford. The only blot on the night being the equaliser his team conceded just prior to retaking the lead. Even that was one given a huge helping hand, or should that be face, by Myrto Uzuni. The goalscorer didn’t know much about an attempted clearance from Francisco Torres, who rather than guiding a hoofed long ball back to his ‘keeper, left Raya flat-footed after steering into the Albanian’s face and then past our man. Certainly one for the dubious goals committee but, regardless, surely the first of more to come for David.
Our artist (me) spent ceaseless minutes recreating this one – very much comic defence
His presence will be vital this afternoon. We all know how much he has been missed and how welcome his return has been since the FA Cup fourth round at Everton. Perhaps more important has been the formation shuffle that has seen us revet to a more traditional back four. Kris Ajer shunting to the right. Whether Thomas holds his nerve or reverts to type will be key. Personally speaking, I’d rather take the chance of sticking with what works. Playing the three CBs / two wing back combo at Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal saw the majority of the game spent on the back foot. Eventually, the pressure told and the goals (against) came. Whilst the trip to Highbury 2 almost saw what would have been a hilarious equaliser grabbed, the net result of all three has been nil points.
Personally speaking, at this point in the season I’d rather we play confident and, at worst, go down fighting. The difference being we now have that man Eriksen to help drive us forward in a game where nobody outside of TW8 expects Brentford to come away with anything. It’s a free hit. Nothing to lose – everything to gain. The last thing on anybody’s agenda is one, or three, points for the Bees so why not just do what so well? Stick it to the opposition and rely on Pontus, Ethan and David to lock it up at the back. What’s the worst that could happen?
It’ll be a fantastic atmosphere today. At least, from the away fans for whom we now have a full house once more. The sanctions imposed on Chelsea now adjusted to allow for ticket sales. Let’s hope that other nonsense we’ve all seen has no place. Kudos to Thomas Tuchel for his own comments on that.
More importantly, the game is on! At one point yesterday I looked out the window to see a blizzard. In April. At best an unexpected outing for the orange ball. At worst, a possible P-P. Yet the snowflakes vanished as quickly as they arrived and so we’re all systems go. I can’t wait for this one. I can’t wait for this month. See you there and bring it on !!
We’re half way through the first week of international break. Another ten days until Brentford head to Chelsea for a league game in which there was good news for us Bees yesterday. The narrow defeat at Leicester City now put behind us. Fantasy football teams left gathering dust. No bad thing in the case of yours truly, whose attempt to jinx Leeds United on Friday backfired terribly. Three players selected yet rather than this seeing them fall apart (again), they mounted that stonking rearguard action at Wolves to turn 2-0 down into an eventual 3-2 victory. At the same time, rather than the consolation of a plethora of points that should go with an on pitch win, the net result was a measly three. Three. Points. I give up. That long time aspiration to be a football manager one best consigned to the waste bin of history.
Bruzon’s falling apart. Again.
Anyway, aside from Leeds United and the Foxes putting a dent into the weekend (as ever, you can catch our take on the Brentford ‘top five’ from Leicester City here), there’s been another dalliance or two into the world of football fantasy. Namely, kit design. We shared some of them on these pages in the last few days but, along with some other efforts where we’ve messed around in Photoshop (see – it can be used for more than just venting the spleen about Mrs. Brown’s Boys) why not stick them all up in the same place?
If nothing else, we’re getting close to that time of the season where talk turns to what we’ll be running out in next season. Expect clubs to start dropping their 2022-23 efforts over the coming weeks and, whilst we’ve traditionally left things late, we already know that our home shirt will remain the current home shirt. Huge thanks from from the Bruzon family piggy bank on that decision to roll over this season’s design.
The flip side to this equation being we’re guaranteed a new away and third kit. Jon Varney has already confirmed that, “We hope the new away shirt design will excite our fans who remember the 80’s and early 90’s, whilst the new third shirt is designed very much for the future!”
What does all this mean, though? The obvious guess would be a return for either the Hummel fractals or more blue on blue for our change colours. Possibly even the one season wonder that was the Funky Bee centenary crest. Go on Bob, I dare you…
Could the 2022-23 be heading down one of these routes…
Or, of course, rather than colours it could be a reference to our much loved ‘castle badge’ which was everywhere in the 80-90s . Tapping into that retro vibe very much in evidence at the moment. A bit of castle action. A helping hand from one of my favourite (non Bees) Umbro kits of all time. A sash. My word, an actual sash on a Brentford shirt…
…. or perhaps adopting the Castle badge once more?
As for the ‘one for the future’, that’s as open to interpretation as you want. Could we be going back down the trailblazing route? Specifically that adopted with the brown / orange? Whilst it is, without doubt, up there with our best ever change strips in years, it’s fair to say that one split opinion. Incredibly, some people didn’t like it – I know, I know – so would take a huge leap of faith to retread that path. Then again, combine those colours with some yellow and our much repeated ‘Bus stop in Hounslow’ tag for the obvious solution. One we’ve talked about before and would take balls of marketing steel to adopt. Albeit, just imagine…..
Just for the meltdown…..
Then there’s our favourite yellow and black combo. The one unveiled in the window of a Bathroom shop (c/o our then sponsors, Bathwise) . Albeit remixed into more of a Bee motif.
Or something more simple but (and with apologies for shoddy photoshoppery) showing colours appropriate for what’s going on in the wider world at the moment.
It’s all complete guesswork and, with no inside knowledge, nothing more than a bit of fun. The point being that talk will soon be starting. The guesses will begin. The reveal will be dropped on us.
We’ve had it all over the years. Fans involved. A youth team member leaking the picture. The week long strip tease inflicted upon us by (now Leyton Orient) chief executive Mark Devlin. The only ask this time around being that whatever it is, please make it quick and make it soon. And Bob, if you are reading – I’m available….
How not to ‘launch’ an away kit. Curse that leak
Until then, which of these would you pick ?
Which of these would you pick for the #BrentfordFC 'third' shirt next season ?
Theo other, actual, news from yesterday was the news that Chelsea tickets are back on sale. With the terms of their sanctioning tweaked, Brentford fans with over 2,000 TAPS will be able to get these from today on a first come, first served basis. 1,600 were already sold before the shutters came down which, by my rudimentary calculations, means we have another 1,400 to go. Don’t @ me if that maths is wrong. Just move quick smart if you want in. Full details here, on Brentford ‘official’.
Until then, you can have a vote on the kit or catch up on that Leicester City piece.
BrentfordFC 