Frankly, there’s no other game I’d rather be watching.

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 !

More of the same would be incredible

Nick Bruzon

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It was Ivan. With the header. In the library.

I’ve heard some self-indulgent tripe before yet this is one to top them all. Mikel Arteta has used the build up to Wednesday evening’s top of the table clash between Arsenal and Manchester City to further whinge about Brentford. Specifically the goal Ivan Toney scored for the Bees on Saturday to level things up in the 74th minute. An apparent VAR error allowed the goal to stand and despite the apologies from PGMOL (the referee’s association) about a human error, he’s still been banging on. 72 hours on and we’ve been overloaded with Arteta’s image being beamed across our TV screens, complaining to anybody who would listen about the officials and the fact he had been denied a win.

Great finish, Ivan

I tell you what. I love it. Absolutely love it. Not just the hypocrisy but the fact that Brentford have played Arsenal and their management as easily as a second hand fiddle. We’ve been there before after Ivan Toney’s comments last season when the Bees beat Arteta’s team in the first game of the campaign. You remember – we ran out 2-0 winners and went top of the Premier League. A moment followed by Ivan tweeting about his ‘nice kick about with the boys’.

How we lauged. As much then as in the subsequent meltdown that emerged from the Arsenal TV documentary where Arteta declared,”It’s still in my stomach, and I have managed to keep it in my stomach for six months. This is Toney after the game when we played them at Brentford.

“You know what he did, you know his tweet? ‘Nice kickabout with the boys this afternoon’. So, today they play in our house guys, and there is only one team in that f****** pithead. Only team, they don’t play, we take the f****** ball, we take the game and we go for it. Let’s win this f****** game let’s go.”

Nice kick about with the boys. ⚽️ @BrentfordFC

— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) August 13, 2021

Sure, they did win. Just. 2-1. Well done. Yet our own retribution this time around was ten times sweeter. Brentford were magnificent on Saturday. Picking up where we’d left off from the defeat of Manchester City at the Ethiad. From the 3-1 trouncing of Liverpool. From an unbeaten Premier League run that stretches back to Aston Villa away (move along everyone, nothing to see there) in late October 2022. From a season that saw Manchester United humbled 4-0 in our first home game.

Have some respect for the opposition, Mikel. Have some class. Let’s be clear. Arsenal were lucky to get away with even a draw. Totally outplayed, let’s not forget that only the woodwork preserved their modesty in the first half. Ivan, Bryan and Rico carving them open with aplomb whilst, of course, Mbeumo had a legitimate goal denied early on.

Gabriel channeling his inner Tom Daley and falling over under no pressure whatsoever was deemed to be some sort of foul after we’d found the back of the net. Where was VAR then? Where was Thomas Frank crying his eyes out to anybody that would listen? Nowhere, because that’s not what we do. That’s football. Much as it hurts, a game is played out over 90 minutes. It doesn’t always hang on single moments. Cripes, if we are going to that level then where was the late penalty that could have been awarded to Brentford for handball?

Arteta’s claim that Ivan’s goal, “Cost Arsenal two points that are not going to be restored so we are going to have to find those two points somewhere else in the league” is nothing more than salty nonsense. Bitter excuses about his own team’s ineptitude. About his own team’s inability to outplay a magnificent Brentford side who, frankly, should be the ones feeling upset about only taking a draw. 

The subsequent racist abuse dished out to Ivan Toney at full time by Arsenal fans was as abhorrent as ever. Nobody needs further lecture from me on that side and we are all with Ivan in feeling sickened. Albeit nobody can really put themselves in his shoes. Not truly. Yet if anything, it shows the entitled attitude that permeates the Emirates. They don’t win so play dirty. They don’t win so go crying to the referee.   

The simple fact of the matter is that Arsenal enjoyed 63% possession and had 23 shots over the course of the 90 minutes. If they were unable to do anything more than limp to a draw then that’s their problem. Not PGMOL’s. Not Brentford’s. 

Arsenal and Manchester City slug it out this evening in a game that is truly impossible to call. Part of me hopes Pep’s team take advantage of the psychological frailty clearly now creeping into a Gunner’s side who prior to the Brentford match had, of course, lost at Everton. Part of me doesn’t actually care. For Brentford, the priority has to be continuing the unbeaten run. Continuing the push for Europe and maybe even the top four. 

We were wonderful on Saturday (and you can catch up on the post match debrief & top five players, here) but the result  has been and gone. Win, lose or draw the attitude from Thomas Frank has always been one of reflecting for 24 hours then boxing it away. Whatever happened. Focus on the next game. 

Mikel Arteta would do well to follow similar advice although I hope he doesn’t. Getting under his skin – under any team’s – is always a wonderful feeling. Always a sign that little Brentford have been underestimated. Again. 

Long may it continue.

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 22

Post match debrief and player ratings.

Arsenal 1 Brentford 1. For the Gunners, a side left feeling as though two points have been very much dropped in the race for the title. For The Bees, a feeling that if anybody deserved the win it should have been the team from West London. Certainly, based on the performance and chances created. Football doesn’t work like that though, no matter how proud we all are about the performance in our 10th game unbeaten. Next up after an emotional afternoon at The Emirates ar Crystal Palace and another chance to continue that push for Europe.

No words needed

As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who enjoyed a nice kick about with the boys and who caused Arsenal (and Mikel Arteta) such consternation ?  Likewise, we find out who is leading the top five in our season long quest find an overall star player (aswell, of course, as the game by game marks). Will any of the subs have played themselves into contention for a starting berth when Crystal Palace visit the Gtech on Saturday?

And as ever at this juncture, you can find the answer here in the post match debrief and player ratings

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 22

Post match debrief and player ratings

Brentford 3. Southampton 0. A win that sees us remain unbeaten in the Premier League since late October and the best placed football club in West London. Chelsea, Fulham and the Loftus Road mob all trailing in our positional wake. It was a win that saw us closing in further on the European places or, dare we say it, higher? The trip to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday could be interesting that’s for sure…

As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who were the players to cause Southampton nightmares. To so upset Nathan Jones. Likewise, find out who is leading the top five in our season long quest find an overall star player (aswell, of course, as the game by game marks). Will any of the subs have played themselves into contention for a starting berth at Arsenal?

And as ever at this juncture, you can find the answers here in the post match debrief and player ratings..

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 21

Are we about to say ‘Adios’ to Sergi ? Whatever happens, we’ll always have Wembley. And Reading. And Arsenal. And….

Oooh. Sergi Canos (Ooh. Ahh). I wannna know-ow-ow-ow-owww, how you scored that goal…….

I was there when the (then) Liverpool loanee did just that for Brentford at Reading back in December 2015.

I was there when he scored that stunner against Blackburn  – our first game at Lionel Road with supporters allowed in following the relaxing of lockdown rules.

I wasn’t there when he ended up at the station with supporters making their way home after his 2 goals in that incredible Championship game at Burton saw 3-1 down at HT turn into 5-3 win (but that’s another story).

I was there when he scored our first ever Premier League goal as we went on to beat Arsenal 2-0 and go top of the Premier League table on that wonderful Friday night under the lights.

Like most if us, I was there for pretty much all of it but now it seems Sergi is a Bee no more with his signing for Olympiacos being broadly reported as a ‘done deal’ ahead of today’s transfer deadline day.

THE MOMENT – Brentford 1 Arsenal 0

Oh, Sergi Canos. My 9 year old son’s favourite player for as long as we can remember. That’s going to be a tough one to break to him. The player who made his 249th appearance for Brentford as we beat Liverpool 3-1 earlier this month. Who, even in that most recent appearance inspired one of the most beautiful moments between opposition supporters, with the cry of, “He left cos you’re shit’ ringing around the Gtech. A game where a chance meeting with yours truly at full-time saw his enthusiasm for the game and warm approach to the Brentford fans hadn’t waned any.

Err. Happy Birthday my good friend?

Sergi Canos. The player who took time out of his day to talk to supporters.

Who hung out with the fans, not just at the station but on the Braemar Road forecourt when injury robbed him of game time. Who made dad (me) look like the best parent ever by signing a birthday shirt for our Harry. 

Any nerves felt when given the chance to speak to a favourite, ever player immediately disappearing when the chance arose. That was the Sergi effect. All smiles. All enthusiasm.

H in awe….

The player who loved the Bees and gave his all every time he pulled on a Brentford shirt.

Whose bromance with fellow Spaniard Jota was the stuff of much good-nature back in the day. The fine tuning of the King’s car met with swift and brutal retribution.

How it started…

How it finished

Out of position or playing where preferred, he always put in 110%. The comments in regards to his recent posting about a favourite position, the latest round of bollocks from the usual hate mob. The same tedious few who had already caused Sergi to talk about how previous social media abuse had impacted his own mental health. The same gang who had already been responsible for the incessant vitriol towards our own head coach (how IS the Frank Out campaign going, btw?) and Matthias Jensen (mmm, and how is that going, too?).

Thankfully, they remain a minority amongst the broader fanbase. Sergi’s name and ‘that’ question ringing around the stadium every time he takes to the pitch.

The season ending game against Leeds United last campaign, where we had the opportunity to send them down, saw him come off the bench, level things up with 12 minutes to go, send the crowd nuts at the prospect of what may come next then promptly get booked for the celebration. A second yellow a few moments later and that was Sergi in a nutshell. Enthusiasm, passion and goals. Sadly, on this occasion, it didn’t quite go our way but it was very much the thin end of a wedge that normally saw him finding success and celebration.

Smile by Harry. Inspiration by Sergi.

Sergi’s time with Brentford has seen us heading in an ever upward direction. He started the play-off final against Swansea and by the time he finally left the field of play, we had one foot good in the Premier League. Those post-match scenes will live forever in the memory.

Whatever happens between Brentford and Olympiacos today, we’ll always have Wembley. We’ll always have Burton. We’ll always have Arsenal. We’ll always have Reading. We’ll always remember a player who, incredibly, is still only 25 years old. He seems to have been around at Brentford forever. 

That signing photo – how long ago does this feel?

It’ll be a sad, sad time when he moves on. Not just in our house but all around West London. Sergi, if you are somehow reading this, thank you for everything. Thank you for the great times and wonderful memories. Thank you for everything you did for Brentford and the fans.

Thank you for making me look good in front of my boy and, more importantly, ALWAYS making his day whenever paths crossed. The best of luck in the future and may our paths cross once more in the future. There’s always Europe…

It was great to see you all on Tuesday❤️ @clarkey0734
Now we need your help to get the 3points on Saturday. Let’s get Griffin Park rocking 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/DkCxWKQ8lF

— Sergi Canós Tenés (@sergicanos) December 14, 2017

As for now, I’m trying to think of my ultimate Sergi moment. Arsenal was amazing, of course. Such an outpouring of joy and love amongst the fans. For our team, for Sergi and a celebration that showed just how much it meant. It was the goal that took us to the top of the ‘as it stand’ Premier League table. And we went on to stand there all night long.

The play-off final, incredible. A team performance of which he was the very heart. All the hard work. All the blood, sweat and tears coming together on that afternoon. Celebrations that will leave on forever.

The strike against Blackburn equally special. It was our first time watching football together once more. The moment we’d been waiting for throughout lockdown and since that last ten together at griffin Park. Sergi had been copping social media nonsense and so for it all to come together and be answered in such emphatic style was almost karmic.

Then there’s ‘that’ goal. Whatever your favourite Sergi moment, that has to be up there. The video will be doing the rounds. My own words from the time, the morning after that game, still feel as fresh to me now as they did back then. That’s what a strike of such quality will do.

Then Sergi Canos happened.

It was a goal that had Brentford fans purring with delight and Liverpool supporters waxing lyrical about a player they’d rarely mentioned – certainly across our social media timeline. But then, when you score a goal like this, it’s no wonder they were trying to take the credit for it.

Ryan Woods, man-of-the-match by a country mile, lofted a perfect ball to the Spaniard out on the right wing. His first touch was sheer perfection as he lofted it past Stephen Quinn in a style almost reminiscent of Gazza leaving Colin Hendry for dead at Euro ’96. One man gone. By comparison he made drifting past his second man, Michael Hector, looks positively easy before firing home on the diagonal from the edge of the box to the far corner.

Bees fans went bonkers and Canos was ecstatic. Bond was left shaken and stirred whilst Tom Moore has to reopen his book on ‘goal of the month’ . Even Channel 5 recognised we were at the Madjeski.

But hey, why not enjoy it one more time? Over to you Mark Burridge. Over to you, Sergi Canos….

#TBT
🎵Oh Sergi Canos, oooh ahhh, I wanna know how you scored that goal 🎵

It's two years to the day since @sergicanos announced himself with that strike against Reading pic.twitter.com/IH6oHdhgiK

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 28, 2017

Brentford v Arsenal. Post match debrief and player ratings

A 3-0 reverse for Brentford at the hands of Arsenal. Last season’s victory over the Gunners now nothing more than a wonderful memory. The Bees brought crashing down to earth with a bump on Sunday lunchtime.

It was a busy, busy afternoon for David.

Whilst the result may tell the story, did anybody come out of the game with any credit for Brentford? Who shone for The Bees against an Arsenal team who returned to the top of the Premier League table in some style. Have any of the bench players done sufficient to make the starting XI for our next game, Brighton at home? Who was our star player? Who else made the top five in the season long quest to find the top Bees’ performer? 

And as ever at this juncture, the answers can be found in the post match debrief and player ratings review. Here.

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 7

Nick Bruzon

Bees stung by table toppers on a low key afternoon.

One to file under ‘bad day at the office’. Brentford welcomed Arsenal to the GTech on Sunday lunchtime and left on the wrong end of a 3-0 reverse. The destruction of Leeds United last time out now nothing more than a happy memory rather than something that could have been used as a springboard to even bigger and better things. The 11th hour posptponment of our game at Southampton following the death of Queen Elizabeth II very much slamming the brakes on our momentum. In an understandably muted GTech yesterday, it was our visitors who were able to pick up where they’d left off before – the top of the Premier League table.

A solemn occasion

There are no regrets on this side. No anger. Arsenal outplayed and outclassed Brentford at every step of the way. Thomas Frank’s decision to opt for three centre backs one designed to try and contain our opponents. It had worked so well last season but this time around we seem to have settled (been pushed into) more of a more traditional back four. A set up that allowed us to attack en-masse with the two full backs still pushing up. Instead, The Bees began on the back foot and struggled to get beyond that. The visitors going for the jugular from the off and giving us little or no breathing space in a midfield that was still missing Christian Norgaard. With little news on his longer term recovery, one can’t imagine he will be back and match fit any time soon.

On the plus side, Ethan Pinnock was hanging with Buzz and Buzzette outside the ground before kick off. The prognosis for his own return something the player said would be after right International break. Good news indeed, although who then misses out the sort of problem Thomas Frank must relish trying to unravel.

That’s one for the future, for now it is all about Brentford and Arsenal. The Gunners brutal. Devastating. Giving a clear demonstration of why they are the only team in the land keeping Manchester City off the top of the table. The sternest test faced by The Bees so far this season by some distance. It was a test we had no chance of passing after William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus had given our guests a two goal lead with less than a half hour on the clock. Two headers. Two goals. Too bad for Brentford. The midfield packed tighter than a pair of Tom Jones’ jeans.  Our own Triple Js – Jensen, Janelt and Josh Dasilva  – unable to make any real headway. Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey putting in the hard yards down the flanks.

Bryan Mbeumo with the closest chance just prior to half-time but that was it. Very much playing second fiddle on an afternoon where the atmosphere was the only thing flatter than the pint of Guinness served up during the interval. Truly the worst pint I’ve ever experienced – and there have been some bad ones over the years. Brentford very much with a problem clearing our lines, it would seem. Not for the first time yesterday.

Brentford (L) v The Griffin – (R)

If anything, it set the mood for what came next. Fabio Vieira ending any thoughts of a fairytale comeback for Brentford within minutes of the restart. His shot from outside the box beating everybody to fly home off the inside of the post. It was devastating. Game over, Man. Game over. Anther forty minutes to struggle through. The only feasible option left being that of goal difference containment. Something David Raya did his level best to maintain. Arsenal, on the other hand, when not attacking doing everything possible to channel all of football’s dark arts. Injuries. Niggles. Time wasting. Cramp. Hammy pratfalls. Referee Mr. Coote unable, or seemingly unwilling, to do anything about any of it.

The sad thing being there was no need for any of it. They were the better team on this occasion. We haven’t been owned this much since Matthew Benham took over.  It just gave an ever more frustrating feel to an already frustrating afternoon. Any thoughts of coherent flowing football snuffed out by shenanigans and shithousery. Arsenal, the only team to sit down longer than popular music’s James. 

That’s on them. They won. So it could be said that the gameplan worked. To be honest, a strangely muted Brentford team could have still been playing now and I don’t think we’d have found a way through. One Ivan Toney free kick momentarily suggesting a replay of ‘that’ moment against Leeds United but it went over. Mikkel Damsgaard also with a half-chance but that was about it. Hats off to Arsenal. Likewise their fans who, along with the Bees, gave the perfect display during the pre-match silence, the national anthem and then the 70th minute applause.

A rare first half foray forwards

For me, the applause on the 32nd minute for Robert Rowan was equally poignant. This with the feeling of much more a spontaneous, personal and fan lead gesture. We’ll never forget. 

The sad news continuing late into the night when the GPG shared this update… 

Very sad to hear that Howard 'Bill The Fish' Billings passed away yesterday evening 17th September

Bill was a very well know face on away days and his own turnstile on the New Road Griffin Park

RIP Bill. You will be missed.#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/ZhHNWGvSDP

— Griffin Park Grapevine (Brentford FC) (@bfcgpg) September 18, 2022

There can’t be many amongst us who didn’t know or, at the least, recognise Howard. An absolute legend of Griffin Park and a Bee through and through. Along with former manager Fred Callaghan’s sad passing also being announced, it’s been a sad week all round. I’m sure the club will do all they can to remember these two Bees’ legends when we are all together again for Brighton.

For now, time for International break. We’ve the the small matter of Ivan Toney in the England squad. Friday night in Italy could be a whole lot of fun. What price on him to score ? Well, 13/8 for an anytime bet. I might make a small investment. Purely for research purposes.  

The only other unfinished business from the game yesterday is that of our Star Man and top five player awards. That piece has gone live and you can find it here….

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 7

Nick Bruzon

All set for another nice kick about with the boys?

Sunday lunchtime has The Bees back in action. Our first game since Ivan Toney was called up for the England squad. No doubt set for another nice kick about with the boys. Table topping Arsenal the visitors but with confidence sky high following the 5-2 tanking of Leeds United last time out, we won’t be afraid of anyone who might try to play in our house. Guys there is only one team on that f**king pitch – and it’s us! Just ask Jesse Marsch. Or Erik ten Hag. Yet with the trip to Southampton curtailed following last Friday’s news about The Queen, could momentum have been lost? Or will it be seen as an extra game in the back pocket ahead of returns for Ethan Pinnock and Christian Norgaard (errr…)? Sergi Canos has already been deemed fit for the weekend. What price a return from the bench and another moment to match last season? You know, when he scored our opening goal in a game where the The Bees beat the Gunners and topped the Premier League.

What a game last season….

Of course, this time around it is Arsenal who have come flying out of the traps. Their 3-1 defeat at Manchester United in the previous fixture being the only reverse on an otherwise unblotted copy book. Five wins on the bounce prior to this has seen them top of the league table going in to this weekend’s abridged fixture list and, to be fair, looking magnificent. Manchester City may have traded in Gabriel Jesus but he has found his feet, fast. Granted, not as fast as Erling Haaland at the Ethiad but, to be fair, not even Ivan is banging them in that quickly.

Arteta’s other impressive summer signing from City, Oleksandr Zinchenko, is unlikely to feature in this one. Thankfully. He is one of several injury-related question marks but the strength in depth they now have means that whomever features in the first XI is sure to provide a top (top) level threat. Then again, one could say the same about Brentford. Whilst Manchester United was the headline grabber, for me the performance agasint Leeds United was up there with our most impressive in years. Ben Mee just magnificent at the back and, on any other day, would have been star man in this game by a country mile.

Then, Ivan stepped up and did his thing. Three goals of the highest quality. A trademark penalty, ‘that’ free kick and then the presence of mind and calmness of finish to hold his position until executing that quite delightful chip over half the Leeds defence. No wonder Marsch took his frustration out on Keith Stroud. Jesse hold on. As popular music’s B*Witched once sang. As if any could forget the double-denim sporting toe-tappers’ first single not to top the hit parade.

View from the South Stand – Ivan does it. Again. This time, Leeds United

We digress. As ever. C’est la vie. Ivan very much the man of the moment. Arsenal the team on fire. The game one to absolutely whet the appetite. If for no other reason given what happened last season in what a first ever fixture at this level for just about all Bees’ fans, barring a few. It’s a quite incredible memory to have but, equally, one to now recall in fond terms rather than rely on as any barometer of form. That was then. This is now. Both teams have changed. Both teams are better. With Thomas Frank utilising his five substitutes every game, Brentford are very much set up with a starting and finishing XI. Yoanne Wissa very much doing his thing from the bench in quite delightful style. Aaron Hickey giving Rico Henry a run for his money down the opposite flank.

And, for the record, how Rico has missed out on England selection is a question I’d love to put to Gareth Southgate. Gareth, if you are reading… ok, he isn’t, but I can’t be alone in wondering that one. Moreso, given some of the out of form ’staples’ selected once again. Rico’s chance will come and what better time or place to show why he should have been called up than Sunday at the G-Tech. I’m sure the England coach will be in attendance and whilst, of course, Ivan Toney will understandably be the centre of everyone’s attention, let’s not put it past Rico to show what he has too.

I can’t wait for the one. The decision to cancel football last weekend, when every other sport continued as per, a decision I am struggling with. Surely it should have been all or nothing ? We can’t change it now but we can make up for lost time. The build up and conclusion will likely be more sombre than normal – the announcement from the club telling you that – but once referee David Coote gets things underway you can bet on the roof being lifted off.

The other Brentford story form the week was another home shirt. Whilst, of course, we’ve blazed trails in retaining last season’s kit, there has been a slight tweak. A quite wonderful tweak. Long sleeves are back. Almost non-existent amongst any Premier League team, Umbro have supplied us with this most wonderful of features. As a complete and self-confessed shirt nerd it has always been my default choice, albeit one denied since the Championship (one of a few yellow Skyex aways, obtained c/o ‘other sources’, aside). Now they’re back. The club shop has them in stock and this Sunday will see yours truly wearing it in anger.

Perhaps with a jacket, given the weather has turned…

Leeds United fell apart (again) a fortnight ago. You can catch up on all of that, here. Will it be Arsenal’s turn on Sunday? I can’t wait to find out. See you there.

We do love a ‘long sleeved’ in our house

Nick Bruzon

Old man shouts at the wind as Gameweek five approaches.

Next up for Brentford, Crystal Palace. Two teams who received another reminder (would that one were needed) at the weekend, that it is goals rather than justice which wins football matches. For The Bees, a 1-1 draw at home to Everton was a game where despite a full on assault on the visitors’ goal (and woodwork) it took until the 85ths minute for Vitaly Janelt’s equaliser. Palace meanwhile stormed into a 2-0 lead up at City that, arguably, could well have seen the add a third to that tally but for the officials. Sadly for them, they were up against a team boasting Erling Haaland. His second half hat-trick, tucked away in under twenty minutes, saw Pep Guardiola’s team run out 4-2 victors. Elsewhere, Richard Keys has crawled back out from under his rock to remind the world what a twat he is. When Fulham have the moral high ground, this following his comments about table topping Arsenal, then you know not all is right with the world.

We can only start with the game at Selhurst Park this evening. For Brentford it is a chance to pick up where we left off against Everton. There are no easy matches in the Premier League, regardless of how they may look on paper or in a Qatari TV studio. The Toffees set up their stall to play in a certain way and despite our very best efforts, finding a way through was a mostly futile task. Credit, such as it is, to Everton. They had a gameplan, stuck to it and almost pulled off what would have been a morale-boosting win. Instead they found themselves pegged back to record a second point of the season. The Bees came close but, in the end, it wasn’t sufficient to take the win. On another day perhaps we might have. Instead, the two teams gave supporters the consummate lesson in taking chances when they present themselves.

No complaints.

Brentford came close but couldn’t capitalise on chances created

As for Crystal Palace, one has to feel for them. Whereas The Bees went to the Ethiad last season and tried to do what Everton did to us on Saturday, Palace took the opposite tack and went for it from the off. Watching back, it was as exciting a start to a game as one could expect. Even if the ending had a familiar inevitability about it. In Erling Haaland, Manchester City have only made themselves even stronger. You can’t put a price on such a potent finisher with the golden boot already looking as though it will have a new home. Six goals in his first four games is a blistering pace to set. Good luck to Nottingham Forest tomorrow night. 

Still, that’s a problem we won’t have to worry about for al little while. Instead all the focus is on Selhurst Park. Vitaly Janelt and Keane Lewis-Potter both impressed from the bench against Everton. Much as they did the week previous at Fulham. Whilst both combined for the equaliser it was as much the energy and renewed vigour they brought to the finishing XI.

One can only assume they’ll both be in with a very realistic chance of starting this evening. Yoanne Wissa was very much off his game whilst, and this may be blasphemous, I thought Josh Dasilva struggled. He’s an absolute player and a half but Saturday just didn’t feel like his day. Perhaps a change around is coming. Pontus remains touch and go at the back having missed out at the weekend whilst we already know Mikkel Damsgaard isn’t ready for a start. Yet.

Last season’s 0-0 was deemed a hard fought point at the time for newly promoted Brentford. An impressive start continuing after ‘that’ table topping 2-0 defeat of Arsenal. This time around, I don’t expect the challenge to be any easier. Patrick Viera has seen his team face the toughest of openings with defeat to the Gunners part of a run that also included  Liverpool away (1-1). Aston Villa were swept aside 3-1 with the impressive Wilfried Zaha grabbing a brace (albeit missing a penalty before putting away the rebound) aswell as Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe also grabbing the plaudits. 

Last season’s 0-0 at the Palace was hard fought

Injury news suggests Zaha may well be a doubt for this evening. Here’s hoping, given his prolific scoring rate. He’s bagged five of their last six league goals at Selhurst Park aswell as finding the net in all four of 2022’s home wins. Keeping him quiet (preferably absent) and nullifying the impressive Eze would seem to be key the strategy should Brentford have any aspirations of adding to our points total.  It is another ‘way’ sell out despite being available on a variety of other sources. Primarily BT Sports – a place where, thankfully, anybody unable to make it will at least be spared Richard Keys.

The former Sky Sports dinosaur is now working for (checks internet) beIN Sports of Qatar where, at least he is consistent with how out of touch he remains about the modern game. His weekend rant about Arsenal, having just recorded their fourth win on the bounce to make it 12 Premier League points out of 12 and top the table, even included the line about their coaching staff ‘celebrating like they’ve won the FA Cup’. Now where have we heard that before? The reason for his ire – the opposition. A proper ’teams like’ diatribe about Fulham. 

Been there. Done that

Granted, I’ve no time for their sponge cakes, gin bars, clacker banging, foam-finger waving, Michael Jackson loving atmosphere but, you know, each to their own. On pitch, there’s nobody in the top flight that is just going to roll over and die every week. Nobody incapable of giving anyone else a real test. This isn’t a division where Derby County’s mergre 11 points and goal difference of -69 from 2007-08 is under any threat.

It is a league where anybody is able to beat anybody on their day. Just ask Manchester United. So to bang on about Arsenal over-celebrating a win that maintained their 100% start to the season was as insulting to them as it was to their opponents. And that’s a tough thing to have to write.  Perhaps somebody better get down there and explain offside to him.

Maybe it was nothing more than desperate attention seeking. An attempt to sound relevant having been absent from the public eye for so long. Nothing more than an old man shouting at the wind. It’s a shame his patter wasn’t as smooth as his hands and instead he remains as out dated as ever. Still, that’s his problem.

Instead, for us it is all about Brentford and Crystal Palace. On whether Thomas will stick or twist with his staring XI? On another day, we may well have had a hat full against Everton. You can read the full post-match debrief here, btw. The important thing now is how we kick on and I can’t wait to find out….

2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 4

Nick Bruzon  

Brilliant Brentford batter United.

Is this what they mean by ‘second season syndrome’? Saturday evening saw Brentford write yet another incredible chapter in a story which continues to leap from the pages of a Hollywood movie script. If last season’s home opener against Arsenal had been a nice kick about with the boys, this was a full on bullying. A 4-0 spanking of Manchester United was a performance to rival the destruction of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season. The Bees utterly dominant and scoring goals for fun. Each attack leading to another one on the board and, in the end, the only disappointment being that we didn’t make it to the 7(seven) goal bracketing of United that seemed more than possible with little more than half an hour played. Frank out !!  

At least in the Chelsea game our hosts had been vaguely involved. On Saturday, Brentford didn’t allow Manchester United the chance to even step foot in the game. The Bees on them from the off. Even the camaraderie seen in our pre kick-off huddle compared to our visitor’s standing around listlessly in their puke green kits telling you all you needed to know about the mental approach. There were points to be both won and proven here. The narrative around Christian Eriksen allegedly ‘saving our season‘ (yawn) being put to bed in a style that even the good people at Dormeo would have appreciated. 

What came next was like nothing seen at Lionel Road. The ferocity of approach up there with the play-off semi. United on the back foot from the off. Brentford hounding their rivals. Running with the ball. Passing it around with aplomb. Mathias Jensen on fire. Christian Eriksen greeted with a cacophony of boos every time he got near the ball. What must he be thinking now? “Left for the money” sung the crowd, amongst other things. He’s walked in to a living nightmare and one which only got worse with every passing minute.  Man U? More like Manure.

Within ten minutes, Brentford were ahead. Josh Dasilva receiving the ball from Jensen, drifting across to a shooting position and lashing it low from well outside the box. David de Gea should have stopped it but instead, all he could do was let it squeeze through him and into the back of the net. It was a good shot and let’s also credit the build up of pressure as a contributory factor. David Raya at the other end seeing his squad position for Spain moving up another notch.  

Credit, too, for the way Jensen took the ball off Roanldo to provide the assist. The tantrum prone stropmeister then left sitting on his haunches for a good 30 seconds after the ball had hit the back of the net. Like Eriksen, all his nightmares coming true. Unlike Eriksen, he had no fight. No stomach for a battle. Instead of getting up to inspire his team his game descended into a series of theatrical dives and hissy fits. One thumping of the pitch in frustration having the entire North stand in fits of laughter. 

An overprivileged show pony who should have been leading by example. Instead, his petulance and ego only contributing to United’s demise.

Get over yourself, Ronaldo

But if Josh had put us into dreamland with that early goal it was nothing compared to what came next. Jensen doubling the lead after de Gea played a woeful pass out of defence to Eriksen ( think Alvaro Fernandez at Anfield levels of bad) who was sold totally up the river. Jensen reacting quickest and cleverest to nick the ball and with a beautiful shimmy, create the space for 2-0. The cheers as loud as the Bees were brilliant. 

Two became three as Ivan Toney plopped it straight on to Ben Mee’s head in a crowded box and then, with 34 minutes gone, the pick of the bunch. Jensen again at the heart of everything. He won the ball off of Jaden Sancho in our box and played a delightful ball half up the pitch straight to Toney. His own first touch then delivering an exquisite raking pass on the diagonal straight to the feet of the on running Mbeumo. Luke Shaw’s clumsy challenge on th edge of the box evaded and the ball stroked home for 4-0. FOUR. NIL. Brentford 4-0 up against Manchester United with little more than a half hour played. My word. 

There it stayed until half-time. I genuinely expected United to come back out in different kits, blaming the shirt colour for blending in with the grass as the true reason for the absolute shoeing they’d received. Instead, there was more of that vile green which I’ll be amazed should it ever see ther light of day again. Equally, I expected them to come out at 100mph – Erik ten Hag having delivered the mother of all team talks. Instead, there was nothing. Sure, a bit more endeavour but no real chances. Instead, Aaron Hickey showing that his flattening of Ronaldo meant that we weren’t going to roll over in the second period.   

Aaron Hickey on Cristiano Ronaldo 🤣😂👊🏽pic.twitter.com/DXJ86A9TYS

— Everything Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@AboutScotlandd) August 13, 2022

4-0 it stayed. It could have been more. Probably should have been more. Yet to be upset with ‘only’ ending the game third in the Premier League and with one of our greatest results ever under the belt would be nothing short of churlish. The full time celebrations showing just what it meant to everyone inside the stadium. That Manchester United were terrible is their problem. You still have to beat your opponents and Brentford did it in a style that made the world sit up and take notice. 

Full time as enjoyable as ever

One had to feel for their supporters. Obliterated by Brentford and their misery further compounded by the RMT strike meaning all trains back to Surrey were cancelled.

Or, should that be, almost all their supporters. Professional gobshite Terry Christian was still giving it large before the game. This, despite last season’s gloating having already blown up spectacularly in his face. Some people never learn. 

So we play Brentford again in their 3rd cup final in a year

— terry christian (@terrychristian) August 13, 2022

Still, that’s his problem. For me and for Brentford fans it was another beautiful afternoon. Another of those times you have to pinch yourself to see just how far we’ve come. Ten years ago we were drawing 0-0 with Bury at Gigg Lane. I was there for that one and now, well….  

It was demonstration that all the money in the world counts for naff all when you are that shambolic. That, ultimately, you cannot put a price on team spirit and mindset. 

All the talk coming into the game was about Christian Eriksen. All the talk coming out of it was about Mathias Jensen. He was incredible. Let’s not pretend otherwise. The star man awards (how to pick 5 out of 16 I have no idea) are now up and you can find them here. Otherwise, perhaps might just go and watch Match Of The Day once more. Think we may be first up. 

Jensen – a work of art

Nick Bruzon