Another night of Championship action saw more going the way of Brentford. Nottingham Forest warmed up for Tuesday night’s six-pointer after being pegged back by Reading to draw their game in hand 1-1 at The City Ground. Elsewhere, Fulham failed to trouble the scorers as they ended proceedings at Charlton with a 0-0. It is a result that leaves the temporarily third placed team two points ahead of The Bees but with an extra game played. And as a curtain raiser to Saturday’s FA Cup action, Leicester City looked in devastatingly strong form as they blitzed West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League. I guess you could say, West Hammered…. I’ll get my coat.
For a night where Brentford fans had to sit back on the couch to watch things unfold around us (or ‘Kirsty and Phil’, as happened in our house – I’m keeping those remote control green cards up my sleeve), it all went surprisingly well. The Nottingham Forest performance was one that the BBC described afterwards as “A lacklustre game”, in which they left it very late to take the lead before letting the visitors back in just three minutes later. Sound familiar? Pretty sure something similar happened 11 days ago, too. Things are somewhat grim when Reading are deemed your Nemesis but it is still another point. Former Bee Lewis Grabban (what must he be worth these days?) scoring the goal for the home team which moves him to within two of Ollie Watkins at the top of The Championship golden boot chart.
The result itself leaves Brentford fifth, for now, with Forest going one point ahead of us. However, with their visit to Griffin Park scheduled for this Tuesday destiny is very much in our own hands. Victory for The Bees is guaranteed to take us back to third place. This, after Fulham were held at The Valley. Huff, Puff, Oooh but no reward would seem to have been the order of the day there. As we’ve said many times, most recently at Huddersfield last Saturday, if you can’t find the back of the net it counts for nothing. They’ll be as happy as we were to remain unbeaten, of course, but it does mean we have a wonderful chance to restore the natural order of things at the business end of The Championship. Perhaps even crank up that pressure even more on Leeds and West Brom – both currently choking (another) seemingly uncatchable lead like Greg Norman in a bunker.
All of which sets Tuesday up wonderfully but before that we have the small matter of Leicester City in the FA Cup. Expect a big house and a wonderful atmosphere for that one, regardless of who Thomas Frank chooses to start with.
Interestingly, I saw a tweet from the GPG last night suggesting some form of possible team news. A number of squad players missed the B team game in Portugal (including Mads Roeslev and Jan Zamburek) whilst the legend that is Sam Saunders got a run out towards the end, suggesting it somewhat unlikely he’ll be lined up for a stunning comeback to first team action. Or was it a late fitness test? One can dream.
Certainly, Sam’s return to action was one that that nobody saw coming until official Twitter did their thing. Whilst it is perhaps a leap too far to ever imagine he’ll be able to forsake his new role for a return to first team action, the chance to say “And this is Saunders’ territory” for real once more has certainly put a smile on the face this morning.
One can dream
Sam wasn’t the only Griffin Park hero doing his thing, either. The club has announced that Marcus Gayle has taken up a role as a Club Ambassador. Chief executive Jon Varney telling ‘official’ that, “His service both on and off the pitch to Brentford has meant that he’s already much-loved by both supporters and staff alike. Marcus has such a lot to offer by representing the Club on matchdays and continuing to build our profile in the industry as well as supporting key projects in the local community and our plans for the move to our new stadium“.
Well said, Jon. And well done Marcus. A hero to all, his service on the pitch was legendary. Here’s to things continuing off it. You can read that one in full, here.
Marcus – then and now
As for Leicester City, they got their shooting boots warmed up in some style as they returned to winning ways against one time World Cup winners West Ham. 4-1 is a landslide at any level and was a result which, whilst boosting confidecne, was marred by injuries to both Nampalys Mendy and Jamie Vardy. The latter suffering an apparent hamstring problem which he attempted, but failed, to run off.
At full time, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers told the press that “It is not his hamstring which is good. Hopefully over the next couple of days it will ease off and he will be fit. Jamie is a real talisman for the team but if we are going to have success it is about the team”. All of which suggests that had there been any chance of him starting at the weekend, that has now gone the same way Leeds’ confidence levels i.e. dead in the water. Full details of that one are on the BBC match report.
It’s a huge shame for the player and the club, of course. Vardy now denied the chance to run out at Griffin Park before we move home whilst The Bees miss out on the opportunity to test ourselves against the very best. If nothing else, Leicester’s form is one of the few things keeping the top end of the Premier League vaguely interesting. Making it technically competitive in a division where, as it stands, Liverpool are thirteen points clear with two games in hand. Even the Scottish top flight is tighter than that (not a typo). So a short absence for Moriarty’s other half can only be a good thing.
Yet, like us, regardless of who may be missing it is very much about using the whole of your squad to the best of the situation. I have no doubt this is going to be as tough a challenge as they come. And it is one I cannot wait for. The BBC studio is already in place and the pitch ready. All that remains is for two more sleeps to happen and then we can get things going.
Bring it on. See you there.
Here’s to more of this on Saturday…
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 