No Ivan? No problem. Brentford went to Tottenham on Saturday morning and came back with yet another magnificent away win. The 3-1 victory for The Bees about as comprehensive as they get. Spurs going for it from the off, running out of steam and then put to the sword in the most brutal fashion. The pat on the knee for Daniel Levy from (presumably) his wife a hilarious cherry on the cake. There, there. It’ll all be ok in the morning. Now, there’s the small matter of completing the double over Manchester City on Sunday in order to try and secure 7th place in the table and whatever European vacation may come as a result.
Brentford fans enjoy the moment. Nice jacket, sir
The Bees were brilliant. Giving us our usual conundrum as to who was the star player? Who made up the rest of the top five? How is the race to find the season long top performer going. HAs anyone played their way into contention for a start against Manchester City? Or a finish?
Brentford 2 West Ham 0. It was as routine a win and emphatic a display as one could ever hope to see. The visitors with their minds on other things although seeming to have forgotten they are still in a relegation battle – don’t @me, the table doesn’t lie. Brentford missing Ivan Toney but still at their brutal best and now looking ahead to the game at Tottenham on Saturday.
Who wears short shorts?
As ever at this point we look back to the game just gone. Who was the star player? Who made up the top five? Did anyone do sufficient from the bench to warrant a starting berth at Spurs? Did Ivan’s absence make a dent in the season long effort to find our overall top performer?
Brentford 2 Nottingham Forest 1. The Bees moving five points clear of Fulham (and about three divisions ahead of Chelsea) as the Premier League edges towards conclusion. With the trip to Liverpool next up, the European dream remains alive in the hands of Thomas Frank and his magnificent Bees.
Bees Buzzing. Tricky Trees, felled. That late, late winner celebrated in style.
As ever at this point in the weekend, we look back at the game just gone. Who shone for Brentford. Who created the headaches for Forest? Who was the star player, who made the top five and who leads the season long race to be crowned our top performer of the campaign? Could anyone break in to the starting XI for the trip to Liverpool and what were the main talking points?
Brentford 1 Aston Villa 1. A game the Bees may well feel should have been won, such were the chances created, on an afternoon in which football was the only winner. What a fantastic game between two sides pushing for a European place. The next chance for the Bees to follow that particular dream comes in the West London derby at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
For now, as ever, the chance to look back for Brentford. To see who was our star player . Who made up the top five? Who leads the season long race to be overall top performer. Who caused Aston Villa headaches and who may be in contention for that trip to Chelsea.
A rare home defeat for Brentford. Newcastle United 2-1 winners in a game dominated by VAR and dark arts. Lucky mascot ‘Grandad’ (see last column) unable to inspire The Bees.
As ever at this juncture, we look to see who shone for Brentford. Who was star player and who made up the rest of our top five. Has there ben any change in the season long race to find our top performer etc etc.
Brighton 3 Brentford 3. The Bees head up to Old Trafford and Wednesday night’s battle for a Champions League place with Manchester United off the back of another game unbeaten. That’s just once in the Premier League since late October following a draw at the Amex that, being honest, had us defending for our lives at times – such was the attacking intent of our hosts.
Who was star player at Brighton?
Whilst Wednesday promises much, for now time to reflect on how Brentford fared at Brighton. As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for the Bees. Who created problems for the Seagulls and 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 we kick off against Manchester United? Likewise, how did Brentford ‘official’ get it so wrong in their own selection?
Well that was quite the weekend. As Ivan Toney warmed up for England duty by helping Brentford move another point closer to Europe and further clear in the race to be crowned the best placed football club in West London (don’t @me Chelsea and Fulham fans,the table doesn’t lie), up at Manchester United things took a surreal turn that promises to have huge repercussions.
We have, of course, all now seen the triple red carding awarded to Fulham in their FA cup defeat. Surely? The major talking point of which was Aleksandar Mitrovic sent off and shoving referee Chris Kavanagh. This, after getting himself involved in the incident that had already seen Willian dismissed for his handball on the line. Manchester United going on to win the game has probably been the least talked about moment ever since.
Jaw dropping scenes at Old Trafford
Mitrovic has now been formally charged. Whilst violent conduct would normally warrant a three game sentence, the FA have already set their stall out by saying, “The standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrovic for the sending-off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient.In addition, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”
Chris Sutton has called for a ten game ban. Others are looking for longer, citing the Paulo Di Canio red card in which referee Paul Alcock was given a shove and then stumbled backwards, falling to the ground.
Paulo Di Canio got an 11 match ban for this push on referee Paul Alcock in 1998…pic.twitter.com/s6wCCTqJI4
The player was suspended for elven matches after that incident, which saw him leave the field of play immediately after.
Whether Alcock’s fall was exaggerated is by the by. Raising hands to an official is a footballing taboo up there with launching a kung-fu style kick on a spectator. Whatever the provocation, you just don’t do it.
Look at Mitrovic sequence now. And I have, many times already.
He got himself unnecessarily involved.
Pushed the referee.
Squared up to the referee, right in his face. Had Mr Kavanagh not stepped backwards it looked as though we were approaching headbutt territory.
Mitrovic mouths off at the referee.
Waves his finger at the referee in a style much akin to a teacher telling off a naughty pupil.
Mitrovic walks away then goes charging back for a second go at the referee.
Mitrovic has to twice be pulled and pushed away by his own team mates. Physically restrained from approaching the official.
What a terrible example to any children who may have been watching.
Surely, now, the book will be rewritten and then thrown hard in his direction? Metaphorically speaking, of course.
For all the gobbing off Brentford fans have had to endure in recent week about Ivan Toney, all of a sudden its gone very quiet over at The Cottage. There can be no defence of what was the most heinous of onfield acts. Supporter Richard Osman’s assertion that a ten game ban would be unfair, met with not unexpected short thrift.
Make no mistake, this will be talked about for years. Much as the Cantona and Di Canio incidents still are to this day. Moments where players have gone so far beyond the acceptable norm that the FA have had no choice but to take drastic action, regardless of what the provocation may have been.
One can only presume hands will be held up – in acceptance rather than at the referee – as any attempt to deny charges will only be met with further shock. Mitrovic appealing? Not really.
Even now, I can’t help but rewatch it. Wondering ‘did it really go that far?’ – yes, being the answer. Wondering at what point he thought this was appropriate or likely to make the referral change his mind. Every second longer into the incident, the hole being dug deeper.
Yet, at the same time, is it right to take pleasure from a display like this towards the referee? To see a player so lose his head that a gargantuan punishment is undoubtedly coming his way. To see the club also charged with failing to control their players. That’s down to personal opinion – stop sniggering at the back, please.
For now, calm has returned but the FA’s decision as to what happens next will be one the entire footballing community will be hanging on. Too lenient? Too tough? There’s no real idea as to how far they’ll go. Di Canio got the 9 games. Cantona nine months. At amateur level it’s a year.
One things for sure, we’re not going to be seeing Aleksander Mitrovic for a while.
Brentford 1 Leicester City 1. The Bees head into the break level on points with sixth placed Liverpool following Saturday’s draw at the Gtech. A well earned rest now awaits those not on international duty before the trip to Brighton. For us fans, a chance to reflect once more on the pantomime theatrics of James Maddison.
Everyone’s favourite pants villain was up to his usual theatrics
As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who created problems for Leicester City and 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 the season picks up again at Brighton?
Southampton 0 Brentford 2 The Bees back to winning ways at the first attempt after that monumental unbeaten streak hit the buffers at Goodison Park on Saturday. Thomas Frank’s team under the cosh at times but titanic at the back and exhilarating when given the chance to push up. Brentford now the best placed team in West London (with games in hand) and sniffing around those European places. Here’s to more when we entertain Leicester City this weekend.
The highest placed club in West London
As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who gave Southampton nightmares and 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 for the game with Leicester City?
Brentford 3. Fulham 2. The Bees now 12 games unbeaten and chasing hard on the heels of the European pack. Saturday’s trip to Everton next up following this fine, fine win.
As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford in Monday evening’s West London derby. Likewise, who caused Fulham headaches and 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 for the trip to Everton?
BrentfordFC 