Is Jota set to return?

With MK Dons due at Griffin Park on Saturday, there was exciting news for Brentford fans in the world of social media. Whilst, I’m sure, new Head Coach Dean Smith is by now fully aware of the state of his squad, there was a one man campaign on Twitter to remind him about player availability.

In a genuinely exciting update for fans, Jota published a couple of photos and updates late Thursday evening that have got Bees supporters buzzing.

If anybody was in any doubt about his fitness or availability for selection for the Milton Keynes game, ‘The King’ has been happy to update us. And whilst Dean Smith doesn’t appear to be on Twitter as yet, what a start to his own reign in having the player available once more.

With the talismanic Spaniard clearly itching to be back in action after being crocked by former fan favourite Jonathan Douglas in the season opener against Ipswich Town (the equivalent of being run over by an oil tanker),  I wouldn’t want to be Karl Robinson tomorrow if Jota gets a chance to face MK, Although, to be fair, much like Steve Evans I wouldn’t want to be Karl Robinson any time.

In addition, he has also bolstered his Twitter ‘banner’ with a new ‘hashtag’ – #Jotainthelastminute . There’ll be more than a few pints spilled on Saturday if he manages to get on the pitch at some point and do what only he can do.

It does what it says

I’ll forgive Jota anything.Nobody needs another moan from me about hashtags and, frankly, I’m too excited about the prospect of seeing our man back in action to even (overly) mention the likes of #beardclub or #bignewambitions .

Instead, let’s hope it’s a phrase that can start trending at 4.50 on Saturday night. Dean Smith has been talking about his brand of exciting football in the midweek press conferences – here’s the perfect opportunity to see that in action.

And if it sets Mark Burridge off, then all the better…

Will it be Jota in the 90th minute….again?

 

The Clem and Keith show provides distraction from the chaos

Amidst all the mayhem and chaos surrounding Brentford as they lost out at Charlton Athletic, I completely missed Sunday’s other news earlier. Namely, that coming from the Priestfield, Gillingham, where new manager Justin Edinburgh was the main draw for Clem from the Football League Show. The game with MK Dons was the one selected for our favourite roving reporter’s feature match and, as such, a chance to see whether Gillingham could become only the sixth team all season to take three points when ‘the albatross’ is in attendance.

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.

Clem catches up with Justin before making it 7(seven) unbeaten.

A result that suits nobody despite unexpected brackets

As Brentford were doing their thing in the Championship, a league below us MK Dons were the latest team to run the gauntlet marked ‘Clem’ as the visit of Bristol City was the popular journalist’s game of choice.

Yes, its time for Clemwatch. The Sunday morning staple examining whether the Football League show roving reporter is worthy of his reputation for jinxing whichever team he highlights on that evening’s programme.

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.

Pre match pressure for Clem. And Karl

S

Today is all about the heroes

Brentford travel to Millwall today in a game where a win can take the Bees into the play off zone. However, before we get to the significance of that one, a quick reflection on last night’s results – not Uwe’s Wigan Athletic (oops) but, of course, Warrington Town knocking Exeter City out of the FA Cup.

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.

Can anybody swap me a Will Grigg ?

In all the excitement of Brentford’s 125^th anniversary this week, a story has completely passed me by as it seems we are not alone in celebrating our formation. Whereas we chose to mark the occasion by honouring it with, amongst other things, the game against Sheffield Wednesday, League One MK Dons have adopted a different approach to note their proud ten years of existence.

The League One team’s website reports that they have launched their own ‘sticker album’ as a means of celebrating a decade since their inception. Produced by Esportada (certainly don’t sound like a Panini), fans can collect 120 stickers that include the current squad, ‘action’ shots from classic matches and some club ‘record’ holders.

There’s more excitement, though. The first five people to complete their sticker book receive a free subscription to MK Dons player.

This is all true. Should you wish, then you can see the full story here. Personally, as a grown man had I elected to switch allegiances to this recently manufactured team, I can’t for one second believe I’d be participating in this primary school ritual.

Still, if it works for them then all I can do is raise a celebratory glass to Karl Robinson and his team.

Now, can anybody swap a Will Grigg?

Artists impression of the Will Grigg sticker – only on loan; not swapped

Jane Eyre or 3D Zombie warfare?

Those were the two choices presented by Mrs. Bruzon for our TV viewing the night before Brentford took on MK Dons and, of course, the (then) table topping six-pointer between Wolves and Leyton Orient.

The Brentford game was just too big. A chance to take first place should the Molineux game end in a draw (which, of course, it duly did – thanks Orient and Wolves. Nice one).  And so, in order to be at Griffin Park with no bad blood I fell on my sword, gritted my teeth for two hours of Brontë inspired tedium – school governess and brooding estate owner coyishly tiptoe around each other for 120 minutes before finally kissing – and took that hit for the team.

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.

Can The Bees make it (lager) top against MK Dons?

Brentford had a brief taste on Boxing Day but with Wolves hosting Leyton Orient at Molineux today, something has to give at the top of League One.

Until Wolves wrapped it up in the 90^th minute against bottom side Crewe and Late-on Orient also won at the death, Brentford had led the table for the first time this season. This is some progress from the twelve-point gap of a few weeks ago and, should the Bees win at home today, at the very least we will end the year in second place.

MK Dons are no mugs, of course. Their mid-table position disguises the fact that they have taken the full nine points on offer from the last three games. This also included doing us the favour of winning 2-0 at Wolves. Chuck into the mix the return of Karl Robinson, after last year’s bizarre incident

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.