Because of course, you’d walk straight into the first team…

Cripes. We’ve had some players at Brentford over the years who have proven, what we might politely describe as, ‘frustrating’. Paul Davis. Murray Jones. Neil Clement. A perhaps somewhat past his prime Kenny Sansom. Even the likes of Big Nick Proschwitz. That’s football. We all know that for every dozen gems that are unearthed at Griffin Park, there are those who promise much but don’t quite deliver. Betinho, anyone? 

Even the BBC got excited back then

We’ve all shot our mouths off in the heat of the moment. Posted stuff on Twitter. On the GPG. On blog pages. Bemoaning the team or individuals. Moaning about the manager. It’s a wonder Marinus didn’t walk prior to his being pushed just 9 league games into that ill-fated spell in the dug-out. Even Thomas Frank has come in for his own share of abuse in the last few weeks. Thankfully, for him and the fans, the tide seems to be turning there with the reversal in form now coming our way. Honestly, who amongst us thought prior to Bolton that we’d go unbeaten over a packed Christmas programme that was followed up with trips to Bristol City, Birmingham City and a visit from title contenders Norwich City? Yet a little faith in individuals can go a long way. Something I’ve experienced first hand following our own transfer window business last season when the Birmingham three departed.  

I guess the advent of social media has very much given a forum for keyboard warriors to vent their spleens from the safety of their bedrooms. No where moreso has this been seen than yesterday on Twitter. This was no flash in the pan, knee jerk attack but a deliberate and calculated attempt to slag off off one of the best players we’ve had in recent years. A character asassination the likes of which I don’t think I’ve ever seen previously. All justified by the fact that “I didn’t @ him”. Well, that’s ok then. I’m not naming either party. I’m sure you’ve seen it all and, if not, it won’t take Sherlock Holmes to unearth this even now. Not even Brentford FC Loyal on facebook have sunk to this level. And that’s saying something. 

Seriously though, what fan thinks this helps anyone? At a time when morale has just been picked back off the floor thanks as much to the whining from Birmingham City supporters, why on earth would somebody who supposedly supports the team take such a cowardly and bitchy swipe? Why would they look to destabilise a player who is still one of the most highly regarded in the division? 

Attention seeking? Small penis? A desperate attempt to get ‘hits’ and RTs? Whatever motivates you I suppose . Regardless of the consequence. Regardless of everything this player has done before. Regardless of the fact that the midfield and defence have cumulatively sold us so far down the river at times this season, brutally exposing others, that it doesn’t even bear thinking about. 

No player is immune from criticism. I get that. We all have opinions. I get that. They earn more than most of us could dream about. I absolutely get that. Does this justify what was posted yesterday? Not even close, in my opinion. Tweet after tweet of perceived errors which, with the best will in the world, are only going to piss of the fans and find their way back to the squad. Regardless of how mentally strong they are. 

I’m sure and I hope that this is water off a duck’s back. There will likely be those that think I’m over reacting. Perhaps so. But this is my blog and my opinion. And the over arching one here is that what went up yesterday was about as cowardly as it gets. Repeat every part of that to the player’s face. I dare you. Say that to Thomas Frank’s face. Say that to the face of Peter Gilham who, of course, was out there on Saturday. Celebrating his 50th anniversary as ‘man with the mic’ the same way he does every game – exhorting the fans to get behind our boys.

I’ve no doubt also that changes are coming on Saturday. It’s what we do in the FA Cup. Don’t take that as any sort of managerial comment on the performance, or lack of, from individuals within this team. We could all name more than a few who have had their share of calamities this time around. So why highlight one? Any changes won’t be as a result of social media, that’s for sure.

Ending on a positive note, I was sent the most amazing picture yesterday. One that harks back to our own FA Cup campaign of 1988-89. When inflatable were all the rage. And this one was still intact – rescued from the memorabilia collection in the attic (not mine, sadly). If ever we were looking for a good omen and a positive vibe ahead of another cup run then here it is. Could this be the last surviving ‘Funky Bee’.

Bring on Oxford United…. 

The FA Cup ‘Funky Bee’…

Nick Bruzon

A bigger shock then Brentford beating Manchester City? Could Murray miss the cut? Beesotted get the fans voting.

We’ve seen some upsets in our time at Brentford. Most notably , the defeats of Manchester City and Sunderland in the FA Cup although I’m sure each of us have our own personal favourite over the years. Yet what is happening right now at Griffin Park could easily outdo all of them put together. The team from Beesotted are running a poll to find the greatest Brentford ‘misfit’ and the results are not, necesarily, going with form. (Or should that be anti-form?)

Bliss does his thing against Manchester City in the fourth round

 

In their recent podcast – which you can find here – the subject is discussed.

No definitive conclusion was reached and so in a Richard Osman ‘World Cup of…’ style, the vote has gone to the public. Whilst my own gut reaction to this question will always stop and start with one name – Murray Jones – the other candidates are fast delivering a trip to football hell. Paul Davis, Steve Claridge, Lorenzo Pinamonte, Neil Shipperly and Callum Willock are amongst the names to strike terror. Whilst, for the kids, we’ve the likes of Big Nick, Will Grigg and The Hoff up there .

Will Grigg scores – possibly

The group stages end at abut 7am this morning when, I would imagine, Beesotted will go live with their Last-16 head to head knockout. Or the Round of 16, as nobody except FIFA and ITV would call it.

Yet at the time of writing it is a round which could potentially see the biggest star falling early. Heat 7(seven) has seen Murray Jones trailing for most of the the last 24 hours. Whilst (currently) back out in front – surely a first – could he fail to make the grade? Again.

Your vote counts. PLEASE. Get involved. I can only see this heading into a showdown between Jones and Proschwitz. A battle between those of us who were here in ’92 and those of us who are newer to Griffin Park. Do keep your eyes on @Beesotted today and get involved.

The other shock was the non-inclusion of Betinho in the group stages. Dave, Billy (Grant) and team have noted that : “Betinho was a huge debate but the verdict was he was a loanee who played less than 45 mins, has no real previous playing history & hasn’t gone on to do anything since. Plus he didnt have ‘Murray Jones folklore”.

Yet for me, he arrived on such a wave of hype. Such a wave of potential. Yet ended up being such an anti-climax. A lightweight 12 minute flash in the pan. As Rob Rankin (could be) noted on Twitter last night: Remember the BBC news story shocked at little old Brentford bringing in a Sporting Lisbon player with one name.

Even the BBC got excited

So if you do nothing else today, take a look at the Beesotted Twitter feed. It promises to be a scintillating knockout stage.

Nick Bruzon

 

PS – Biggest on pitch upset. For me, it will ALWAYS be Bliss doing his thing against Manchester City. At least, to date. Who knows what January could bring….

PPS – If you really get in the voting mood, I’ve got a sister-poll up and running. To coin a phrase, it does what it says on the tin….

Loving the wonderful #Misfits Trophy from @Beesotted currently doing the rounds, although feel they've missed a category.

What was biggest #BrentfordFC misfit hashtag? (with genuine apologies to Yoann)

— Nick Bruzon (@NickBruzon) November 9, 2017

 

From the best to the worst in football’s role of honour. Plus a new favourite site.

Whilst there were some Brentford fans upset about the recent sale of Scott Hogan to Aston Villa, one would hope that those concerns have now been dispelled. Ably abetted by the two amigos on the flanks, a rejigged formation and a great Dane up top, The Bees have money in the bank and 25 goals in the 11 games since the Scott moved to Villa Park. Things could have been a lot, lot worse as we’ll look at momentarily. At the other end of the field, there was great news for John Egan who was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for Friday’s World Cup qualifier with Wales.

Nobody could doubt John’s performances this season. At one point he was neck and neck with Scott to be our leading scorer whilst, more importantly, has forged a wonderful partnership with Harlee Dean at the back.

📃 Great news for @JohnEgan92 as he's made the 27 man @FAIreland squad for Friday's Qualifier with Wales 👉 https://t.co/qwMf52YAia pic.twitter.com/iGCVfP9Pms

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) March 20, 2017

Brentford ‘official’ share the great news on social media

I don’t envy head coach Dean Smith having to crowbar the pair of them, Yoann Barbet and fellow international Andreas Bjelland into his team. Perhaps the quality at his disposal goes someway to explaining our mid-season persistence with three centre backs. It was a valid attempt but one which persisted for far too long as it became clear it wasn’t working.

Yet, and with the greatest respect to Yoann and Andreas, John and Harlee are – at least in my opinion – our absolute nailed on first choice centre backs. Harlee has been magnificent this campaign and, along with Dan Bentley and John Egan, remains in my top three for player of the season. Although had Jota returned a month or two earlier then that competition would be an even stiffer one.

Jota – c/o Sky. Imagine if he’d come back earlier…..

So news of John’s call up yesterday was one that is thoroughly deserved but has only been a matter of time. John, if you are reading (unlikely, let’s be honest) congratulations. As for Harlee and Dan, give it another season or two playing like this and their matching him on the International scene, for England, is well within the bounds of credibility.

Next up Twitter. A popular subject on these pages for many reasons. Ease of use, interaction with the actual players, Kitman Bob and his BBB giveaways, banter with fellow fans and the most immediate means of learning news updates are amongst the many reason for the site’s popularity here.

For Brentford supporters, there’s a recent addition to our family of familiar faces (© the Middlesex Chronicle big book of ’80s alliteration) out there in cyber space. Brentford Bot.

In their own words, “Judging Positive and Negative mentions of Brentford“.And that’s about all there is to it. But very, very well executed, often deadpan but sometimes laugh out loud funny and showing a tireless dedication to keeping the Bees family updated. I’ve no idea who the power behind the Bot is, but it’s well worth a follow. You can find @BrentfordBOT here.

Brentford Bot does his/her/its (?) thing

Ok – striker sales. We talked at the top end about the departure of Scott Hogan to Aston Villa. Those of us a bit longer in the tooth need no reminding of what has happened in the past – Nicky Forster, Carl Asaba, Gary Blissett, Robert Taylor, Dean Holdsworth, DJ Campbell and even Andy Scott are amongst those who have been sold in their free scoring prime. Goals aside, the other thing connecting these players was their lack of a like-for-like replacement.

To be fair, how do you replace the likes of Deano, Bliss or the FT index? Even for the player, following a fan favourite and goalscoring legend must be thankless task. Yet when this goes wrong it can be truly horrific.

FourFourTwo magazine have just started to publish their list of every league club’s worst ever player. The initial instalment, in a series which is now running daily, runs from Accrington Stanley up to Bury, taking in the likes of Aston Villa, Bournemouth and of course Brentford along the way.

On the Bees front, it feels somewhat awkward badmouthing one of our own yet for whatever the reason we’ve had some players over the years who really haven’t shone. Past their prime, over weight, over rated or just really, really bad. It happens. It happens to every club. So when FourFourTwo approached yours truly for the name of the Griffin Park protagonist, it was one that eventually came about as a result of a public vote. Too much power should not lie with just one man.

It was a top five that included, in no particular order : Nick Proschwitz, Paul Davis, Murray jones, Neil Shipperley and Steve Claridge. Yet in the end the ‘winner’ was a clear one.

And you can find out who, here…

Nick Bruzon