As our rivals show their true colours, what kit clues can we learn so far?

With the odds of anything exciting happening in Brentford at this time of the year 5/1 or longer, its been the perfect time for a summer break. And coming back on line today, it’s all been going off. At least, if you are a kit nerd as fellow Championship stablemates / Adidas label mates Sheffield United and Sunderland are amongst those to launch their new home kit. But should we be looking further to Germany and Bayern Munich?

There’s been some off-field stuff too, but we can only begin with kit and the desperate search for any clues as to what the Bees will be wearing in 2017/18. New launches (especially at Championship level where template design is so often the way for many clubs) are fallen upon as hungrily as a past his sell-by-date detective trying to unravel a two year unsolved crime when presented with fresh evidence. Whilst said ‘evidence’ is probably steering everyone up a blind alley, there’s no harm taking a look. If you chuck enough mud, perhaps some will stick no matter how inaccurate the guess.

As such, can we read anything into what has come out so far?

The weekend saw Sunderland off the mark with an effort reminiscent of our own 88/89 centenary shirt. Broad stripes being replaced by a plethora of thin efforts in the traditional red and white. With matching collar and cuffs in black, will it be sufficient to save Sunderland from our own fate from 19 years ago?

Namely, the shirt looking pink when viewed from a distance of anything over five yards away. More importantly, could Kitman Bob have something like this up his sleeve? Here’s hoping not, if initial feedback from Brentford supporters on social media is anything to go by.

Are Sunderland emulating the Funky Bee?

My own opinion is that this one is a stinker. But who knows? In the flesh it may look better. Stranger things have happened.

Then, on Monday, it was Sheffield United’s turn. Their shirt for next season is a stunner. Broad red and white interspersed with black pinstripe puts one in mind of the Brentford 2000-02 shirt. After that, things take a left field swerve. Unusual black shoulders and black side panels ensure the Blades will be looking sharp next season. It’s different, no doubt, but I love it.

Could this give us an indication as to how the Bees may turn out? Kitman Bob Oteng was revealing nothing about our own version beyond an admission on Twitter that, “I personally like this new home shirt than last season”. And, likewise : “Well it’s red & white ! That’s it.”

Sheffield United looking sharp ahead of 2017/18

Yet if these are both twists on the traditional red and white combo, Adidas have really pushed the envelope with Bayern Munich’s forthcoming shirt. Adding white stripes where these are not usually seen they have, as we saw with Juventus in the previous column, produced something that is retro yet stylish. Wonderfully stylish. Perhaps it is seeking this in red and white already (rather than my own ham fisted photoshop) but I think it’s the best of the bunch to date.

But we won’t be wearing this. Sadly. If for no other reason than why would Bayern let us get our hands on their kit ?

Bayern Munich’s new kit. I’ve seen wurst.

Looking elsewhere in the Championship we’ve also seen Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Birmingham City reveal Adidas branded kit. ‘Safe’ would seem to be the key word here which is a shame from many respects.

Very much fitting into the ‘goes well with jeans’ category, there’s nothing to overly get the pulse flickering although at least Mark Warburton’s boys will have a touch of pinstripe. For the nostalgic amongst us, a nice nod back to 82-84 and 92-94.

Adidas play it safe looking further across the Championship.

This is, as ever, all conjecture though. Last season’s Brentford shirt took us all by surprise. I have no doubt Chief Executive Mark Devlin, Kitman Bob et al will be planning similar this time around. That is to say, taking us by surprise rather than a safe, goes well with jeans piece of football fashion.

Let’s be honest, none of us have a clue. No matter what we’d like the answer to be, no matter what we chuck out there on social media, we really don’t know anything. No matter what we think. There’s nothing we can do but wait for the answer to be revealed. Whenever that may be. And I can’t wait.

The big news off field concerns Nico Yennaris. It was announced yesterday that he has signed a four year contract extension in a deal which will keep him at Griffin Park until summer 2021. This is great reward for a player who has crept up the blindside to become an ever present in the Brentford team and very much one of our unsung heroes. The only player to feature in every game last season, despite some formidable competition around him, Nico’s goal at Birmingham City is still one that gets the juices flowing. Even now. Here’s hoping for more of the same next season. And if you’d like to read more, Brentford official has the full story.

Contract news for Nico

Along with dreaming about kit and nothing much else happening, the other traditional thing at this time of year is the plugging of the season review e-book. Please. Stay with me – this time around it is for a great cause . All funds raised are being given to the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. Likewise, any subsequent sales form the previous versions.

Containing the least bad of the blogs from May 16 to May 17 and a bit of new material too, you can pick it up, here. It’s all for a great cause and, hey, you may even enjoy it.

So why not do something great to help our club. What else will £1.99 get you? What better way to spend some time on the commute to work, the beach, by the pool or even hiding out in the toilet at work? You might even enjoy it !

For less than the cost of half a pint on match day, it’s the season review that has been designed to fit in your pocket (if you are using an i-phone).

HUGE thanks to everyone who has downloaded it so far.

Nick Bruzon

Absolute football and an absolute tonking. Bees sting Forest (?!) as fake champions crash out.

What can you say after that? The Last Word was due to be on temporary hiatus this week (hence no update on the 1-1 from Portman Road) but another away win for Brentford, and in such wonderful style, has prompted an early return. With most of the football world focussing on Arsenal receiving another 5-1 tonking at the hands of Bayern Munich (the Germans romping to a 10-2 aggregate defeat and what happens when you allow non-champions in the Champions League) those outside TW8 probably won’t pay much notice to the defeat of Nottingham Forest. A 3-2 win for Brentford at the City Ground as the Bees made it 10 points from the last 12 saw the Tricky Trees prove anything but, save for a brief flurry as the game reached a denouement that was probably more fraught than it needed to be.

To read the rest of this article, season 2016/17 is now available for download on e-book in the retrospective: Welcome Home, King Jota (Brentford FC season review 2016/17)

Priced at just £1.99, all sales are being donated to the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.

Likewise any sales from the previous titles – Celebrating like they’d won the FA Cup (2013/14), Tales from the football village (2014/15) and Ready. Steady. Go Again. (2015/16) – are also now going to the BFCCST.

Containing the least bad of the blogs from May 16 to May 17, you can pick it up, here. Its all for a great cause and,hey, you may even enjoy it…..

Jota – carried on at Forest where he left off at Griffin Park

Even Alan Jugde (not a typo) was spotted in attendance.

There are just too many questions

 

 

Absolute Radio. No Bees but talked about Arsenal at ten to seven, ten to eight etc

Nick Bruzon

The good, the bad and the ugly. Bees win, Liverpool draw with West Ham and Kingsley is back. A week in football (Europe special).

Brentford got back to winning ways after despatching Burton 2-1 despite the best efforts of referee David Coote. Newcastle United and Brighton traded places at the top of the table, twice, as Dwight Gayle’s hat trick saw him move a further goal ahead of our own brace grabbing Scott Hogan. Nottingham Forest’s derby defeat to, erm, Derby saw the Bees climb an additional place to 15th on Sunday via the medium of goal difference whilst art the bottom it’s as you were. Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United occupy the relegation spots although the Millers did, at least, have the pleasure of beating QPR. Stop. Sniggering.

That’s the latest Championship action in nutshell. Yet there has been so much more going on in the division and beyond. In the latest edition of our regular, weekly feature we look back at those things you might have missed from the world of social media.

This week it’s a European special although, of course, we start with Brentford. With new co assistant head coach Thomas Frank joining in the week, was the win down to him?

Perhaps. Although captain Harlee Dean was quick to recognise his team mates. How much better to read this sort of thing rather than any ‘going again’?

Before kick off, this faith wasn’t shared by all. Careful, they’ll remember you.

And it wasn’t just the musical choice that was causing some supporters pain.

But in our last game before Christmas, those three points were all that mattered. There was a festive vibe before kick off and one that was matched at half time as supporters crowded a forecourt that remains dominated by that beautiful tree. Great work to all at the club for what really is a wonderful centrepiece.

Hats off to Beesotted for a clip that needs no other words, beyond…..Push Up, Brentford.

Absolute legend.

Mr Push up Brentford.

Pushing up since 1948 #brentfordfc pic.twitter.com/1eMXqpgxkK

— Beesotted Brentford (@Beesotted) December 10, 2016

And as our penultimate Bees related thought, those of you with a yearning for all things Spanish may want to look away now. Please, come back…..

#EibarAlavés + @KingJota = un recuerdo imborrable para los armeros… 🚀

Previa: https://t.co/hxVpuNaw5T https://t.co/3oEbAFvqnx

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) December 11, 2016

From Eibar, further into Europe. In Portugal, Benfica have officially killed football.

In Germany, Manuel Neuer has officially killed fashion.

In the Champions league, Spurs limped into the Europa places whilst Leicester City had a familiar face between the sticks as they went down 5-0 to Porto.

Still, that didn’t stop them humping Manchester City 4-2 on Saturday night. Well done to the Foxes although perhaps City still had their minds on a shocking incident that occurred as they played the dead rubber against Celtic.

North of the border, Celtic may be running away with the title but that doesn’t stop the rest of Scotland having an awful lot more fun. The kings of football Twitter, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, were back and as ever the club remain happy to wade in on any subject.

Meanwhile Kingsley, the unchallenged mascot heavyweight champion of the world, was back. Twice. Oh Buzzette, if only your paths could cross….

 

Back home in the Championship, hapless Fulham were doing what the do best. Being hapless.

Massimo Cellino at Leeds has been found guilty of something again. And banned. Again.

Whilst Norwich City legend Darren Huckerby has hit Twitter with some hime truths.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United did something unheard of in footballing circles. They won a game. Yer prior to kick off, manager Jose Mourinho had been displaying all the seasonal goodwill of Scrooge.

Later on, he went down like he’d been shot. That, or his Peter Crouch robot dance really needs more work.

Liverpool were also in action on Sunday, against West Ham, in a game that was dominated by the goalkeepers.

Although perhaps events prior to kick off had affected both teams. For Liverpool, an opportunity very much missed.

For West Ham, David Gold’s lack of pop culture was apparent to all.

We finish with a double helping of Moose. Ian, that is. He had an old friend in tow on Saturday.

But, as ever, we close with his birthday friend of the week. Which of Ian’s good friends from the world of football did the Talksport DJ wish happy birthday to, via the medium of a Twitter post and picture of them together?

This week: former Bee Les Ferdinand

Nick Bruzon

Matthew Benham (and Luis) make a great weekend even better

It would be fair to say that yesterday’s article attracted a mixed bag of comment from the Leeds United fans after their side had gone down 1-0 to fourth placed Brentford. Some of it fair and sporting; other parts evoking the spirit of John from Wolves (a frequent visitor to these pages last campaign).

That’s football – we all have an opinion and the multitude of options available in cyberspace make it all the easier for us to express it.

To read the rest of this article, season 2014/15 is now available to download onto Kindle (and other electronic reading device) in full. Containing additional material and even some (poor) editing, you can get it here for less than the cost of a Griffin Park matchday programme or Balti Pie.

Thanks for reading and all your comments over the course of the season. For now, I need to make more space on the site for any follow up. However, ‘close season’ will continue in full, further on.

A fair point. But twitter would get even better

Fat fingered spelling aside, this sounds great (and seems popular)

‘Tinpot’ Brentford make it 6 from 6 against Leeds

1974-75. As footballing giants Leeds United were playing Bayern Munich in the European Cup final, ‘tinpot’ Brentford were battling it out in the fourth division with the likes of Workington, Southport, Mansfield Town and Darlington.

How times have changed. Fast forward four decades to where Brentford are the ones pushing for the top flight and, with it, the possibility of Champions League qualification. Leeds, meanwhile, are wallowing in the memories of days gone by as they flirt dangerously with the Championship relegation zone.

To read the rest of this article, season 2014/15 is now available to download onto Kindle (and other electronic reading device) in full. Containing additional material and even some (poor) editing, you can get it here for less than the cost of a Griffin Park matchday programme or Balti Pie.

Thanks for reading and all your comments over the course of the season. For now, I need to make more space on the site for any follow up. However, ‘close season’ will continue in full, further on.

Could Leeds clean up against tinpot Brentford ?

Manchester United morons redefine loyalty as Brentford plan Arctic trek.

Its fair to say Manchester United have had a car crash of a season, relative to their recent standards. Their Premiership title is all but lost, entry to next season’s Europa League looks unlikely whilst they are ranked as 33/1 rank outsiders in a field of eight, for a last hope of glory – the Champion’s League.  Sadly, I’ll miss what could be (yet another) defining moment in the Old Trafford debacle as I’m going to be travelling North to watch Brentford at Oldham.

I say sadly. My footballing choice will always start and end with Brentford – moreso if that rare opportunity (in this first season of parenthood) to ‘play away’ presents itself. However, I have a ghoulish interest in what is due to unfold, quite literally, as Manchester United take on Aston Villa at lunchtime.

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.

Forget Arsenal and the League of alleged Champions. It’s all about League One, tonight

Whilst most neutrals may have their eyes on Arsenal and their doomed attempt to turn around a two goal Champion’s League deficit against Bayern Munich (dream on, chaps), tonight the real action is in League One. With a mere three points separating the top three, Brentford entertain Tranmere whilst Wolves travel to Swindon Town and Leyton Orient to Port Vale.

It really is a case of –  who blinks first?

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.

From Götze to Gertcha. My fantasy XI beats Arsenal and the Brits

Former Brentford goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a chump of himself on national TV last night after he was sent off for Arsenal against Bayern Munich in the Champion’s League.  That, or he was trying out for a role in the next Nescafe advert, judging by the hand gesture he directed towards the fourth official on leaving the pitch.

I’ve actually got a lot of time for the goalkeeper and regular readers may be aware that the Arsenal man is actually in my all time Brentford XI of the last 25 years. Maybe not always the most skillful of the players to fill their respective berths but certainly the most committed. The team that, if I could pluck from their respective seasons, I’d love to see in action.

To read the rest of this article, season 2013/14 is now available to download onto Kindle, in full. Containing previously unseen content, you can do so here for less than the cost of one matchday programme.

 Thanks for reading over the course of the campaign. For now I need to make space on this page for any follow up.  The ‘close season’ / World Cup columns continue in full, further on in this site.