Another game against Manchester City. Another win for Brentford. Can we play you every week ringing around the GTech as last week’s B-team game and the earlier season triumph at the Ethiad were followed with three more points for The Bees. The only side to do the double over them this campaign and a season where we have ended it as the best team in West London. Fulham trailing in our wake. Chelsea closer to the relegation spots than Brentford. Don’t @me – the table doesn’t lie.
Ethan’s goal is celebrated in the stands (with apologies for self-indulgence.)
As ever, and for the last time this season, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who made up the top five against City and who is our overall star player of the season. The person who has ranked up the most ‘top five’ points over the 38 games just gone.
And as ever, you can find the answers here, in the post match debrief and player ratings article. One with as much ‘other stuff’ in it this time around, reflecting on what has played out this time around, as those final standings. Enjoy…..
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. Southampton 0. A win that sees us remain unbeaten in the Premier League since late October and the best placed football club in West London. Chelsea, Fulham and the Loftus Road mob all trailing in our positional wake. It was a win that saw us closing in further on the European places or, dare we say it, higher? The trip to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday could be interesting that’s for sure…
As ever at this juncture, we look back at who shone for Brentford. Who were the players to cause Southampton nightmares. To so upset Nathan Jones. Likewise, find out 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 at Arsenal?
Manchester City 1 Brentford 2. Not a typo – it really did happen. Ivan Toney very much the man of the moment – just as he had been on Thursday when Gareth Southgate chose to overlook him for England and the World Cup. A decision seen as farcical at the time and one made all the more ridiculous as our man did his talking on the pitch against a team of Qatar bound players. Against the strongest club side in Europe.
Ivan, Ben et al did their talking on the pitch
Yet this game, this performance, was up there with the very best, ever, from Brentford. Of all time. It was simply sublime. It was a world away from all the frustrations of the last week as it is possible to get. Forget Forest in the 90th. Forget Gillingham. Forget England. This was all about beating Manchester City. Not a typo.
As ever at this juncture, we need to pick a star player. To find the top five Brentford performers. Always a tough task and one made even harder this time around considering not only where we were but also just how fine we played. And as ever at this juncture, you can find the answers here in the post match debrief and player ratings review. ENJOY !!!!!
Wednesday evening and Brentford welcome Chelsea to the Gtech for a 7.30pm kick off. A slightly unusual time although, for those of us living close to the ground, a more sociable one. Good luck to those coming from further afield or those Manchester United fans heading back to London after their own game with Spurs kicks off at 8.15pm tonight. The price fans pay for the broader carve up of TV football. Don’t even start about Christmas and New Year fixture times…. Yet for now, with the 2-0 defeat of Brighton still fresh in the memory, all focus is on another encounter with the team from Stamford Bridge. There can’t be anyone amongst us who could forget what happened the last time we met. Could a repeat be on the cards?
What an afternoon at Stamford Bridge
It’s unlikely, let’s be honest. Brentford were magnificent that afternoon and whilst fully deserving of our 4-1 win, that was then. This is now. Ownership and management have changed. Graham Potter has his team back in form with five wins and four clean sheets on the bounce, including a Champions League double over AC Milan. Incredible though that afternoon back in April was, and it was, a repeat scoreline is priced at 90/1 with the bookmakers. Lightning doesn’t strike twice, does it?
That’s not to say Brentford won’t fancy their chances. Ivan Toney is very much the man of the moment and the opening goal of his brace against Brighton is one of those that can’t be watched enough. Even our Harry had it on repeat over breakfast yesterday. The vision, skill and confidence to even take on that back heel, let alone pull it off, was something to behold. Next level brilliance. His second, from the penalty spot, oozing that unearthly calm with which we are all so familiar yet still end up baffled by a technique which has do far proved to be unstoppable for The Bees.
Ivan did it again from the spot on Friday
The downside is our injury prognosis. Thankfully, the return of Ethan Pinnock has been timed to perfection. With Thomas Frank revealing yesterday that Pontus Jansson is out until after the World Cup, we’ll now be seeing that partnership with Ben Mee given a chance to flourish. Also absent for the same period will be Aaron Hickey. He missed the Brighton game and is now out for a similar period to his captain after suffering ligament damage following a twisted ankle. The plus side is the ability of Kris Ajer and Mads Roerslev to fill in – depending on whether we play two or three centre backs – but there can be no doubting the loss that Aaron will be. A player who had very much hit the Premier League ground running and was making early inroads into the season long campaign to find our own star player for the season.
With reserve goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also out for a few months (if I recall correctly he injured an ankle saving a Kris Ajer penalty in training, but don’t @ me if my memory is playing up) then we’re definitely looking a little thinner. It goes without saying Thomas won’t want Neil Greig knocking on his door any time soon although the plus-side being that at least Christian Norgaard has been pictured in training once more.
Out on the grass and being match fit are two toady different things but there’s no doubting the boost that seeing last years player of the season has brought to fans.
Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of this soon
As long as we don’t suffer any further fitness blows then Thomas Frank still has enough about his squad to give anybody a match. Something Brighton discovered on Friday night where despite dominating the possession stats, the Seagulls were clinically despatched in a manner that gave huge encouragement. But for the woodwork, Bryan Mbeumo might also have had a wonder goal added to his tally. Plus ca change. It’s 2021/22 all over again.
For all we’re revelling in the memory of that 4-1, a more pertinent indication of the Chelsea danger would be the 1-0 defeat inflicted earlier that season. Édouard Mendy in nets was simply incredible for the visitors that night, keeping his team alive during a backs to the wall second-half from the battling Bees. A point was the least our performance suggested but as we always say, deserved to gets you nothing. Stats and possession are worth naff all (just ask Brighton). Balls in the back of the net are the only thing that count. If anybody has a point to prove it won’t be Chelsea. It will be Brentford.
I can’t wait to discover which way this one will play out. Roll on, err 7.30pm. Bring it on and see you there.
In the meantime, please do take a look at the Brighton post match debrief and our current star player review. You can find that here. Thank you .
Finally, and its a bit awkward talking about myself, I’ve been approached by so many supporters this season asking about these pages – namely the fact that they have all but gone to sleep – and the programme articles. Specifically asking why have they both stopped?
Being honest, I love talking and writing about Brentford. Likewise the enjoyment it seems to bring and the kinds words are always appreciated more than anybody could imagine. Equally though, life is just SO busy at the moment and there’s only so much one can blog about orange balls in the snow and the correct use of brackets after a 7(seven) goal trashing or berate Mrs Browns, boys, The England ‘supporters’ ‘band’, people drinking ‘espresso’ (it’s a blinkin’ S, not x), Star Wars Day etc etc etc
Why? Why? Put them in a car park and let them sort it out rather than bother us
Mainly though, I don’t have the time and last season saw the blog, two programme articles and a piece for Hollywood Bets competing equally for time and attention. So the decision was made to cut back on these pages and focus on the Star player pieces, which are always good fun to write and have seen the two different columns slowly merging. We still may post the other stuff up here but it will be a lot, lot less for now.
As for the programme pieces, ask the club. I’ve no idea. Having done these for years and years for nothing more than enjoyment, there was no out reach from them over the summer. Dropped like Alvaro Fernandez reaching for a cross or simply the fact that we’re a Premier League club now who employ professionals rather than rely on the good intent of plucky amateurs and want a fresh approach? Who knows? It was fun whilst it lasted and very much an opportunity I’m grateful for. Thank you.
Good luck to the team there producing what is always a wonderful read. Tonight’s issue is no exception with the club using it to promote life saving CPR skills. We’ll have a heart-shaped ‘CPQR code’ on the over and our shirts – a gesture as wonderful as naming our training centre after Rob Rowan. Something that has been met with universal acclaim amongst the Bees faithful.
Yet or those wondering if I’m in it still then the answer is, sadly (as much given the circumstances) a no. Like I say, I hate talking about myself but given I’m currently being asked about this by lots of our fans, thought it best to save you the effort. That said, if anyone wants to talk Brentford then go for it. I’m the one in green jacket.
A 5-1 reverse for Brentford at Newcastle United. Like last season, another six goals at St. James’ Park but this time around there was to be no even split. The Bees thumped in a game where the scoreline does nothing to illustrate just how baffling some of the defensive decisions were. With Brighton up on Friday night, surely a reaction is incoming….?
Whilst the final scores may look brutal on paper, did anyone emerge with any credit for Brentford? Who shone for The Bees against a Newcastle United team who made light work of continuing their climb up the Premier League table in some style. Have any of the bench players done sufficient to make the starting XI for our next game, Brighton at home? Who, or was there, a star player? Who else made the top five in the season long quest to find the top Bees’ performer?
Brentford 5 Leeds United 2. Any lingering frustration from the final game of last season was well and truly put to bed at Lionel Road on Saturday afternoon. Next up, the trip to Southampton at the weekend.
Ivan opens the floodgates
Despite the obvious goals from Ivan Toney, could anybody edge past him in the quest to discover our star man? Who else shone for Brentford against a Leeds United team for whom Patrick Bamford was arguably their best defender (how he managed to steer the ball away from David Raya’s unguarded goal line is still a mystery)? Have any of the bench players done sufficient to make the starting XI for the game with Southampton?
And as ever at this juncture, the answers can be found in the post match debrief and player ratings. Which is now online here.
Crystal Palace 1 Brentford 1. Another point for The Bees and another last minute equaliser. Leeds United visit on Saturday and won’t fancy playing a team who play to the 90th minute and beyond.
This time around it was Yoanne Wissa who found the net for Brentford and shattered Crystal Palace hearts late on. Was it sufficient to earn him a starting berth for Leeds on Saturday ? Who was our star player? Who else made the top five in the season long quest to find the top Bees’ performer? Is anyone sweating on their place for the visit from Jesse Marsch’s XI ?
As ever at the juncture, the answers can be found in the post match debrief and player ratings. Which is now online, here….
Fulham 3. Brentford 2. A game of two halves, five goals but no points. This time.
The Bees managed to get themselves level
As ever at this point we look to see who makes our top five, who gets the star man award and who could be in with a chance of starting against Everton.
The morning after the weekend before. An intriguing two days of Premier League football where, of course, for Brentford the only result that really counted was the 3-2 reverse at Fulham. A scoreline that does little to tell the story of a game that went back and forth until, eventually, there was 90th minute heartbreak after the Bees had thrown a second-half kitchen sink at our hosts. It was a defeat where any feel good factor from last weekend’s demolition of Manchester United was gone in 44 seconds although one in which, eventually, the result really could have gone either way. Elsewhere, Everton warmed up for Saturday’s trip to Lionel Road with their first point on the board whilst the Priti Patel saga had further ‘light’ shed on it. You’ve been warned so please feel free to leave now if that upsets you.
However, the real subject for discussion this morning has to be the game at Fulham. By all rights, Brentford should have been dead in the water and out of sight within the opening quarter. 2-0 down after Joao Palhinha had doubled their lead with twenty minutes on the clock whilst between their opening pair, Aleksander Mitrovic had also seen one chalked off by VAR. Truly, it was a woeful start from The Bees. Think Southampton away or Everton (FA cup) levels of bad. We would also accept: Burnley (a) or Norwich (h).
Brentford reeling. The team that had blown Manchester United off the park just a week earlier now being outclassed and outpaced. No movement and second to everything. Fans still showing wonderful support but wondering where anything would come from. Fulham one goal away from properly putting it to bed. Except, of course, they didn’t. As we’ve all seen now, The Bees clung on until 44 minutes when Christian Norgaard leathered a corner kick from Mathias Jensen straight past Bernd Leno on the volley. Our first and only real moment of attacking intent leaving the Fulham ‘keeper for dead. 2-1 at half time and, suddenly, the scoreboard offered a glimmer of hope.
It was an opportunity seized with both hands. Ivan Toney a man possessed as he found the back of the net three times. One, fair enough offside. One, on 55 minutes, as close and dubious as they come. It took a good two minutes of VAR deliberation and set squares before his trailing leg was eventually adjudged to be interfering with play. As he turned away from the Fulham goal. They’re the rules but, as we’ve seen so many times, they don’t half kill the game. It was a beautiful finish and deserved more.
Had we equalised then, who knows what might have been? Brentford with their tails up and driving forwards. As it is, things were levelled on 70. Ivan Toney, again. This time the goal allowed to stand – moreso as there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. 2-0 down and looking dead in the water now back to 2-2 and only one team in the driving seat. Fulham woke up. David Raya in nets absolutely wonderful. Save followed save as the game swung back and forth. Toney denied a late penalty after Mr Bankes deemed he’d thrown himself to ground when clean through in the box and bearing down on goal. As he does. Apparently.
A game that swung back and forth
In the end though, it wasn’t to be. Mitrovic doing a Jota. 90 minutes on the clock and he out jumped Bryan Mbeumo (don’t, just don’t) to steer home a ball that could, probably should, have been well cleared prior. Brentford not quite able to see it through. Fulham with all the points. What is their to say?
No complaints from here. We’d shot ourselves in the foot early doors but at least had sufficient about ourselves to launch a quite wonderful fight back. A game is won over 90 minutes, not 20, and whilst we couldn’t quite do the business this time the opening three games have shown there is enough about this team to suggest the season will be an exciting one.
For now, the other takeaways from the game perhaps revealing the real reason for defeat. A pre-match encounter with Harry Potter (Simon, not the boy wizard) brought about this shocking revelation that.. “I’m teetotal today.”
“I’m sorry? What?” Was the reply from TC with genuine incredulity. The human embodiment of Gunnersaurus, Brentford’s own Winston Churchill, universally known in TW8 for his bighearted exuberance and love of all things Brentford. Perhaps those vocal styling were stifled by a dry throat. Who knows?
Brentford’s own Harry Potter
Elsewhere, there was the bizarre sight, or should that be sound, of Freed From Desire being played moments before the teams walked out. Seriously? I mean, not complaining but talk about a way to stoke up the away fans. The only thing missing was a AA with Hey Jude. By all accounts, they’s also played YNWA when Liverpool visited last week. Go figure.
Right up until Norgaard's goal, the first half highlight for #BrentfordFC at Fulham was five mins before kick off and this comes over the tannoy…. pic.twitter.com/zRmOMcHEDS
Then there was the away end. Appreciate they are still finishing off their new stand on the river side (something that has taken even longer to build than La Sagrada Familia) but having a mixed zone of home and away fans in the bar areas behind the goal felt odd. That’s the polite term. Unsegregated football hasn’t been a thing for decades and whilst we’re all a friendly bunch in the main, it’s an emotional game. A trailblazing step in the right direction or an accident waiting to happen? There was no bother that I saw although I heard differently from others. Their next few home games see visits from Brighton and then Chelsea. Good luck.
For Brentford, Everton are next up. An 88th minute equaliser saw them pick up a first point of the season at home to Nottingham Forest. Only Wolves, Leicester City, West Ham and Manchester Untied below them in the table. It’s not been the best start, with injuries and departure compounding to their woes from last season. On paper, the perfect opposition for Brentford. In practice, they’re already in survival mode. A caged tiger of a team. Backed in to corner and fighting for their lives or, at the least, to prove all the pundits wrong. The awesome power of everyone’s favourite Brazilian, Allan, currently confined to the bench but surely set to be unleashed at Lionel Road.
Pele. Zico. Ronaldo. Socrates. Allan
Ok. Turn away now if you are going to get upset about more Priti Patel. Last time out we asked on these pages what had happened there? Put the questions out there to try and understand why our stadium had been turned into a political arena? Moreso, when the person in question holds views that are so diametrically opposed to those of the club. We eventually got a brief statement saying that she had been invited by the Premier League, journalists had gone off topic and it wasn’t our media team controlling events. It was as neutral an ‘answer’ as would have been expected.
Bees United were quicker out of the blocks, noting that, amongst other things whilst it hadn’t been us that invited her, the club “Should have anticipated that the media would ask about wider political issues such as government policy towards asylum seekers. Brentford’s stadium thus became the background for political views which are not universally shared by fans”.
Whatever the explanation. Whatever the outcome. One thing is clear that we all share different views. The vast majority of Brentford fans would seem to be extemely unhappy about what played out. I’m still of the belief that things could have been handled differently. That things should have been handled differently. That’s me.
We’ve not even had a formal piece on the real reason for her visit but, all things considered, that horse has long since bolted and perhaps it is best one we all box off.
Our club have always been amazingly proud of their values and the amazing work being done on that front. If any positive can be taken out of all this, it is that the reaction of so many supporters shows how much we all share these. That, for me, is the real story to take away from all of this. Now let’s never talk of it again.
Finally, if there was one thing worse than the final score at Fulham it was the disaster that befell yours truly after the game. With the club putting out a tweet before kick off about the wonderful change shirt being worn for this match, the thought process naturally gravitated towards the brown/orange. Which was duly worn. Rightly so, until walking back to the pub it snagged against a bit of metal on the side of a white van. Disaster. Nooooooo. Ruined.
Like punching a hole in the face of the Mona Lisa, a masterpiece has been ruined. Kitman Bob? The club shop? Anyone? Is there a spare out there? Does anyone have one of these Jaffa caked beauties lying around gathering dust? I’ll be at the Everton and would be happy to broker a deal. Probably let’s play safe and say in an XL.
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