Forget West Ham. Now is the time for Scott to do his thing at Chelsea.

It has been a week of surprises and a week of shocks. Scott Hogan is still a Brentford player (at the time of writing) whilst Mrs Browns Boys won ‘best comedy’ at the National TV awards on Wednesday A bigger voting shock than Donald Trump or the Brexit result, and about as funny as Lee Hurst tied to a bomb for an hour. Yet the unfathomable success of the alleged comedy means we will only be subjected to more of the tedious Agnes Brown (for years to come). And it meant my  mind has been elsewhere rather than laughing at West Ham’s inability to prise our star man away or, of course, looking forward to the FA Cup fourth round with Chelsea on Saturday.

But if Scott is going nowhere, as it stands, then will he play against Chelsea on Saturday? Surely our best hope of beating the team that Dean Smith described yesterday as “The current leaders of the land, away” (promptly forcing me to recall the point where the draw paired us with a visit to Westminster and the Bees running out against Theresa May’s cabinet – get stuck in, Macca) is by playing our strongest XI. And that includes Scott.

Dean was in belligerent form at Thursday’s Brentford press conference, telling the media that ”Scott is available for selection. He has trained all week as he did last week” and that “we made it abundantly clear after the game last week that my decision about whether he plays or not will be final”

Dean speaks to the media on Thursday

If he’s been training and is available then, surely, he starts? Or at the very least makes it off the bench if Chelsea are looking like clawing themselves back into it after an hour and we need to turn the screw?

I can’t believe a player would suffer a minor injury for a second week in succession and so with that excuse out of the window, will Dean pick his main man?

The words used were very careful. Dean hasn’t said he will pick Scott. Just that he is available and that he (DS) will be the one to make the call. Nobody appears to have pressed him on the question – will he start? A shame, as at times our media would do a better job grilling bacon than grilling a head coach with the questions that everybody wants to know the answers to.

At the same time, keeping the cards close to the chest is no bad thing. If Brentford fans don’t know and the press don’t know then you can be sure that Antonio Conte and his Chelsea team don’t know.

On a personal note, there wouldn’t be a better stage to impress his would be employers than at Stamford Bridge. If West Ham needed any further incentive to loosen their purse strings and get into the real world, then a goal scoring performance in the backyard of the Premier League leaders would surely be the perfect audition.

Should Dean start him given all that has gone on? Forget Lee Hurst’s nonsense from yesterday – something that The Guardian took apart in such wonderful style. This is a real world situation and a genuine dilemma. Would you pick Scott?

For me, it is an absolute yes. We can’t be held to ransom. If nothing else, one could call it squad rotation. Especially with the Aston Villa game coming up on Tuesday.  But what a way to rotate a squad, brining the likes of Scott Hogan and Jota into starting XI.

If Scott remains at Brentford then he’s going to play for us anyway, so let’s just carry on that he’s ours until such time as a proper offer comes in. Frankly, if he does the business against Chelsea then we’d be well within our rights to chuck an extra couple of million on the valuation

As Dean noted, “We know the pool of talent that they have but we will be going all-out to win the game. You only have to look at who could play.”

In my book, ‘all out’ means picking your best players. And that includes Scott Hogan. He’s 17/5 to score at any time.

Now where are the deeds to the house?

Nick Bruzon

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Dean on the grass as he takes a leaf from the big book of Warburton

It was press day yesterday, ahead of Brentford playing their final pre-Christmas game with Saturday’s trip to Leeds United. As Dean Smith gets the chance to take on his former team-mate Garry Monk and our own form finally turning around with those back to back wins, could the Bees make it three in a row?

The bookies have the home team as favourites. Not surprising for a side who have only lost 1 of their last 8 at Elland Road and who are currently in the process of bolstering their position in the play-off zone. But the Bees are firing again, creating chances and even putting some of the away. At times via the boot of goal machine Scott Hogan; at others via the backside of Maxime Colin. But however they go in, they all count.

We’ll be boosted by Daniel Bentley being selected for the EFL team of midweek although, by all accounts, Tom Field can probably feel somewhat aggrieved not to have joined him. Which begs another question – does Dean stick with his young protégé ? With three wins from three Brentford appearances he has looked nothing but assured and I’m sure he’ll get a start.

The other Dean related talking point is one which came from Thursday’s press conference. The last two weeks have given us ‘blips’ and ‘skill sets’ but this time around it was all about who was on the grass.

Amongst other injury updates he told us that:

“Rico Henry has been out on the grass with us”

“The squad is looking well and there are a lot more bodies on the grass now which is really good.”

“A lot of players will be coming back onto the grass with us”

But it wasn’t all about getting on the grass, as he added:

“A lot of this week is recovery and the analysis suite, not the grass “

But the one that really caught my eye was a line that could have come straight from the big book of Warburton That, of course, a volume that over the years produced such classics as :  “The football department is in good shape” , “raw, blistering pace”,  “Pitch geography” , “Andre Gray – the thinking striker “ and, of course, “You walk around the stadium, the first time for me this morning, and you smell the history.”

Positive news about Alan Judge was shared with Dean’s  revelation that the player  “Is out there sprinting and getting his deceleration correct in terms of his mechanics.”

Despite sounding more like an Austin Allegro than a footballer, we can only be very excited by this update. Will he play again this season? Will it be for Brentford?

For now, that’s all secondary. Just the fact that he is at the stage of recovery after suffering that horror challenge at Ipswich can only be cause for celebration.

Here’s hoping it is cause enough to inspire his teammates to that third win on the spin.

Could we see scenes like this once more?

Nick Bruzon

Sex, pies and audiotape (there’s no sex. or audio)

Like many Brentford fans, I was buzzing when I got home last night. A 2-1 win over Cardiff City had seen Scott Hogan add a further brace to Saturday’s last minute equaliser against Bristol City. The Bees had made it 13 points from 15 and the Last word, high on the delights of victory, had gone up early. Now it’s time to (apologies) go again as we round up the other bits and pieces from Tuesday.

A fine win but what else happened ?

First up, Broadcast Moose. Anybody who read the post match article would have seen his comments about Russell Slade refusing to talk to him after the game. My gut reaction was that the Cardiff manager was exhibiting yet more of the sour grapes that he seems to have reserved for the Bees.

I’m pretty sure there was something mentioned about an FA Cup once whilst he was hardly full of praise when guesting on the Football League show that season. Mind you, if I’d been the victim of Manish repating the “Slade at Christmas” joke (wonderful once, woeful a second time) then I might feel a tad irritated.

Now, I’m not looking to defend Slade. Like Steve Evans, he cultivates a personality (at least, with fans) that is one of a bullish and outspoken manager. Reap what you sow. Behind closed doors he may be a lovely chap. I just don’t know, sadly. And I say sadly because I have it on good authority that at least one of Beesotted’s wonderful FA Cups made it into his direct ownership last season. Did he laugh, cry, store it up in the back of his mind? Who knows? But I digress.

Having cultivated this personality he’s there to be shot down and last night’s whine from Moose was, on the surface, such an opportunity .

Yet, Yet, Yet. Having slept on it , something doesn’t sit quite right.

I’m not too proud to admit I lay in bed last night, thinking about Russell Slade (and I hope to God my wife isn’t reading today). Or, more specifically, and probably even worse, Broadcast Moose. Hey, at least it wasn’t Jeff Stelling.

I may not know much about football’s inner workings but I do know that managers normally speak to the press and give some form of post-match conference. Sure enough, checking News Now he certainly appears to have spoken to journalists, with various pieces now online that detail his comments. For example, Sky Sports have quoted him as saying, “We lacked that clinical finish in the first half when we had total control. In the second we lost it a bit, they became a threat on the counter and we defended poorly”.

So what’s Moose’s beef? He was, as ever (yawn) banging on about the state of the catering during the game – a routine that is about as endearing as being forced to watch the season’s opener of ‘Football League Tonight’ on an infinite loop. Whilst Kelly and George have, thankfully, upped their game, Moose hasn’t changed the record.

But putting the pies to one side, what was really bugging me is  – why would Slade treat him like this?

Surely in the press area he’d have no choice but to answer the questions? Surely if one journalist had been singled out for a snubbing then this would have been more widely reported?

I don’t know what happened for sure – or where this contretemps actually took place. That, something Mr. Moose has failed to mention whilst making his quite provocative comments, including: “What a bad loser Russell Slade has become….,tonight point blank refused to do a post match interview….Mr Slade could only grunt no”

It takes a lot for me to think about Russell Slade as having the moral high ground but I’m just putting it out there for the sake of balance. Russell / Ian, if you are reading…..?

Moose – at least he was happy about the pies

As for the rest of last night. Peter Gilham wins the award (should one exist) for moment of the evening, or at least half time, after exhibiting more of that deadpan brilliance for which he is so loved. Whilst talking about the opportunity for fans to get involved in the club’s social media, he mentions “Snapchat”, paused for a moment and then added, “Whatever that is.”

Peter, I’m with you .

Toumani, He’s done it again. Again. After getting his second Leeds United goal at the weekend against Reading, least night he took his total to three, grabbing their second in a 2-1 win over Wolves. Whilst I was desperately sad to see Toumani go, I’m thrilled to bits for him that the floodgates are now opening. That said, I know I’m not alone in taking this ‘personally’ after such a long wait! Leeds fans must have now “been on the pitch” (metaphorically speaking) more times than the average episode of Dragon’s Den.

And finally, I couldn’t end without further mention of Scott Hogan. Or, specifically Matthew Benham and our head of medical, Neil Greig. Without their investment of faith in the player (not to mention financially or in terms of time) there’s no way we’d be celebrating his goal scoring prowess this week.

It would have been so easy to pay up his contract and let him go. Not Brentford. We’ve always treated our injured players well and boy is that being rewarded now.

Congratulations to Scott, of course. But huge thanks to Matthew and Neil.

Nick Bruzon

It’s all a bit Carry On, Brentford. But who’s joking?

It’s April 1^st. It’s a good thing ‘press day’ took place yesterday as Brentford gear up for the trip to Nottingham Forest and a return to league action. Could there be any truth to Beesotted’s latest ‘exclusive’ on the Griffin Park hall of fame? Surely Mark Chapman wouldn’t stoop to these levels? And will ‘official’ look to join in with the hilarity (blue and white 2016 ‘away’ kit to be revealed soon?)

If its humour you want then the closest I can offer is somewhat of an odd vibe yesterday as Dean Smith gave his press conference aswell as enjoying a gentle probing from BBC Billy Reeves. “Philipp Hofmann has been on the grass”, it was reported at one point. This, to help him recuperate from chronic back pain. Clearly, the medicinal benefits not to be underestimated. Of training, that is.

As for those other injuries, the midfield has taken a double hit with Dean confirming to Billy that Josh McEachran could well be out for the rest of the season after suffering what is feared to be “a refracture of the second metatarsal” (looks like he’s broken that foot, again). It is a huge blow for the player and the team – moreso given Dean has also confirmed John Swift will be missing for at least the Nottingham Forest game.

Following the injury suffered on England U-21 duty, John has had to have five stitches in his gash and it is, apparently, “very angry”. I have no idea what Swift’s angry gash looks like and nor would I want to. However, with Dean confirming that all is now forgiven following the strange affair of the ‘hipster meme’, you can be sure that the Chelsea loanee would have figured in his plans otherwise.

Could Dean be forced to pick himself?

For me, Clive, this then means that whatever our head coach says about other players being given a chance, he doesn’t really have any choice left in who he plays on Saturday. I’ll be very surprised if the team varies much from: Button, Bidwell, Nico, Harlee, Barbet, Macca, KK, Woods, Judge, Canos, Vibe.

That said, the bench may have a slightly more unusual feel to it. Could we see any of the development squad making the step up following their fine 4-2 victory over Barnsley in midweek to join the likes of Jack O’Connell, Sam Saunders, Marco Djuricin, Scott Hogan, Andy Gogia and Jack Bonham on the subs list ?

Or am I miles off the pace here and Dean be planning a bit of a shake up following his 10 defeats out of 13 in 2016? Who knows how much choice he genuinely has but you can be sure Saturday’s teamsheet will be awaited with intrigue.

The other key point of his interview with Billy was an unexpected level of honesty. “I can understand frustrations….I’d be probably booing if it was my team”, was a somewhat frank admission made at one point.

Fairplay to Dean for saying what many supporters have been thinking but I just hope this doesn’t come back to haunt him. We’re not total idiots and can see what is, or isn’t, happening out there. I’ve a hell of a lot more respect for Dean treating us like this than adopting the Arsene Wenger ‘head in the sand’ approach. If I had a pound for everytime the Frenchman didn’t see an incident I’d be a rich man by now.

Of course, he’ll need to be a tad careful. Those sort of comments can bite you on the behind and were a trademark of Marinus era Brentford (remember that? Personally, I’m trying not to). I guess the flipside is that by Dean’s own admission he doesn’t feel out of his depth whilst, in regards to Matthew Benham and the management set up he sees himself as “very supported”.

“A few of our defensive players are having a bit of a lull”, he admitted at one point. Somewhat like saying that the Titanic was having a few issues with water retention yet, at the same time only half the problem. Over reliance on Judge (I’d be intrigued to see how we play without him) and a lack of penetration in front of the goal being equally key.

Dean has his work cut out for him, that’s for sure. We’re not out of the woods yet by any stage and Championship survival is by no means assured. The good news is that destiny is still very much in our own hands and whilst that gap is getting tighter, even the bookies still see us as 33/1 to be playing in League One next season. Equally, Dean knows the areas that need work.

The question is, how does he fix them for Saturday? At Nottingham Forest, we find out.

Defensive lulls a scintilating topic

 

Even when Manish is on holiday, Clem still delivers

Sunday morning and, despite Brentford not playing yesterday, we still have plenty of Clemwatch action. From Portsmouth v Northampton Town in the JPT and then Alfreton v  Torquay in the conference, our ‘man with the mic’ has been out and about doing his thing. An achievement all the more impressive, given Saturday’s lack of The Football League Show on BBC.

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 along.

Clem can shake his fists, but the stats aren’t improving after his visit to Portsmouth

Well done Wolves, push up Brentford and a soaking for Woking.

We need to start today by saying congratulations to Wolves. Whilst Brentford failed to pick up one of the two victories needed to secure promotion, our title rivals had no such problem in getting the three points they required.

Despite a mid season wobble that let Brentford back into the race, Wolves have been an excellent side and so deserve to end the campaign by going up rather than down (as has been the case for the previous two).

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.