A letter to Father Christmas. And kitman Bob

And relax. After a frenetic period of speculation, match action and the eventual appointment of Dean Smith as the new Brentford Head Coach, supporters can finally catch their breath. Fans tuning in to last night’s Southampton – Liverpool Capital One Cup action were reminded of a Griffin Park great whilst those amongst us with a kit obsession have a tough choice to make later today.

But I’m going to start, briefly, at St. Marys – simply because of the one sided scoreline that saw Liverpool run out with an astounding 1-6 victory. Even more so given the speed with which Southampton opened proceedings – Sadio Mane grabbing the opening goal with less than 40 seconds on the clock to give the home side an early lead.

For me this was significant for several reasons – not least the ongoing quest for brackets. Liverpool grabbing their sixth in the 86^th minute left us with that delicious possibility of the videprinter ticking over to 7(seven). Sadly, it wasn’t to be but that period is a moment that always adds an extra frisson of excitement to any game for neutrals (or is that just me?).

For us Bees, there was additional significance in this being The Saints heaviest home defeat since going down 6-0 to Brentford back in March 1959. That, a game where the legendary Jim Towers did his very best to single-handedly inflict brackets as he bagged four goals.

His reward – having to walk home, as Jim himself explained in a ‘Where Are They Now’ interview a few years ago “By the time we got back to Brentford all the buses had finished and I didn’t have a car in those days. I had to make my own way home after scoring four goals. I don’t think Jermaine Defoe had to do that!”

Say what you want about Liverpool, but they looked good doing it last night. The black ‘third’ shirt is another trait they share with Brentford as the Bolton game saw our equivalent get another airing on Monday. I have to be honest that my own initial enthusiasm for our blue ‘away’ kit has worn off a tad but this new one is a stunner.

There’s none of the superfluous trim that has blighted previous efforts – specifically our last attempt back in 2009-10 where we had more additional gold than Mr. T.

Pity the fool who wears this one

This is just simple black and white with a wonderful hint of silver. And I want one. Badly. Indeed, from talking to Brentford fans it seems I’m not alone in this respect and so can only imagine a series of hastily scribbled notes are being written to Father Christmas.

But equally, much though we love it, fans are also aware that this shirt is not on general sale. The only way to get one as things stand (aside from being Sam Saunders) is via the charity auctions in aid of the Royal British Legion which end today.

This really is a wonderful way to raise money for a great cause although, regrettably, the current prices are probably a leap too far for yours truly. Nice though these are, Mrs. Bruzon would probably have my guts if I came home for Christmas with Sam’s match worn shirt for me and no budget left for anything beyond some magic beans for her.

Given the chances of getting one through general release are as likely as seeing a bracketing, perhaps the marketing chaps or Kitman Bob might have next season’s ‘away’ shirt under their noses without even realising it.

I can’t wait….

The ‘3rd’ kit is proving very popular amongst fans I’ve spoken to

Nick Bruzon

Mark Chapman gives strip tease as Bees prepare for Blackburn

I’ve had Will Smith stuck in my head for the last 24 hours and it’s not a good thing. Whilst most sane Brentford supporters will be getting ready for the trip to Blackburn Rovers and wondering if we can bounce back after the midweek defeat to Hull City, my mind has been elsewhere.

I blame deputy head of Media and Communications, Mark Chapman. In a good way, mind you. He published a story on the official site yesterday announcing that we’ll be in a new third kit and one which, for the Blackburn game, will have the additional detailing of the Royal British Legion poppy.

And so instead of looking at those normal pre-match points – of which there are many – I’ve been focused on trying to oust, “Here come the men in black” from its unholy place as the current ‘earworm’. And, at 6.45 am on Saturday morning, it is a challenge that still shows no sign of being successful.

Here come the men in black etc etc etc

All of which is providing somewhat of a distraction. Then again, the regular reader of this site or the matchday programme (where ‘the last word’ may have been dumped by powers outside of my control but I still get to annoy you with ‘kit obsessive’) will know about my fascination with all things ‘kit’ related.

This brief teaser we’ve been offered as to the latest effort has certainly piqued my curiosity. Moreso, because it won’t, officially, be for sale to the general public or fanatics. That said, anybody feeling particularly generous will be able to bid on the Blackburn matchday shirts to raise money for the aforementioned British Legion. It is a wonderful cause but at this time of year it may, sadly, be a gap that remains in my collection.

I’m not, generally, a huge fan of black shirts. Specifically because the Bees should play in blue as our away colour. Then again this is a third shirt. Moreso, from the glimpse given, is looking like one that could be really quite special. With a hint of the silver last seen in our special shirt to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, it looks like it could be something to potentially break into our top five ‘away’ kits of all time.

Brentford – unbeaten in silver

And enough with the shirt.

Getting back to all matters Blackburn related, the main question that Brentford fans will be wondering is whether Alan Judge will put in an appearance against his former club.

From what I’ve read, it would seem unlikely that October’s Championship player of the month will appear but one can live in hope. Besides, if the team can match the same heights and intensity as seen on Tuesday against Hull (at least, until the Tigers turned it up to 11) then we have every chance.

Hull, somehow, raised their performance one better than the maximum 10

Moreso if we get the chance to look at Sam Saunders. He was on the bench during the week and I’m itching to see Sam involved at some point. If nothing else, our much-touted dead ball coach hasn’t had too much success from free kicks so far this campaign. As one terrace wag is forever noting, “I hope he’s not being paid on commission”.

Then again, if the man who elicits that most favourite of phrases whenever the referee whips out his can of shaving cream – “And this is Saunders territory” – is playing then there could be food on the table once more, Chez free kick coach.

One man who won’t is Lewis Macleod. As Kevin O’Connor’s development squad recorded their fifth successive victory on Friday, Lewis lasted just thirteen minutes before being replaced by Josh Laurent. The article on the club site includes the explanation from Kev that, “It was just precautionary really….He said he felt a tiny twinge; we’re not taking any chances with him, so we took him off.”

And as a final thought, I was going to stick up the Will Smith video but, frankly, I’m not that cruel. And besides, thinking about Sam Sunders for the last 15 minutes (in a footballing sense) has proven somewhat of a pleasant distraction. So instead, I’ll take you back to last season’s game and Jota’s wonder goal in our 3-2 victory at Ewood Park.

The phrase ‘Burridgegasm’ was one coined that day and which has stuck ever sense. Then again, when you see the video and hear the comms, we can understand why.

Let’s hope they’ve finished mopping up in the Blackburn press box.

With club hero Ben Burgess and the aforementioned Mark Chapman joining Mark Burridge in the Beesplayer commentary box, I know where I’ll be at 2.30 today.

Enjoy the game.

Nick Bruzon