Well that all came out of nowhere. Whilst we’ll get to Brentford (and begin the Wolves preview) shortly, along with another new idea for Lionel Road, we can only begin at Leeds United where former Bees boss Uwe Rösler has been shown the door by Massimo Cellino. In his place, Steve Evans jumps straight from parting company with Rotherham United to becoming the Italian’s sixth head coach in 18 months.
You couldn’t make it up. Uwe, who had previously struggled with a doomed Wigan Athletic before being relieved of duties, didn’t stand a chance given the controversial owner’s previous track record. And now, just 12 games into his new career at Leeds, it’s all over. The FA followed this up by promptly banning Cellino from running his club after being found guilty of another tax offence.
But just when it couldn’t get any crazier, a 2013 quote from Evans began doing the rounds. For anybody who has had his or her head in the sand for the previous 24 hours, it’s below.
We all say things that we ultimately live to regret but this is a whopper. Even more bizarre is the line, “I want to be the captain of a Cruiseliner, not The Titanic”.
By what stretch of the imagination could Rotherham United have ever been considered a Cruiseliner? A pedalo, perhaps. We all know Evans loves shooting his mouth off but even by his standards this one was odd.
Given his vociferous personality and Cellino’s ‘no-nonsense’ approach this is either going to be the ultimate stroke in managerial genius or the Italian will be looking for manager number 7(seven) by Christmas. I’m betting on the latter option.
As for Uwe, what next? He left Brentford in a great position to return North where, sadly, things haven’t gone to plan. The Bees kept going without him whilst we all know what happened next at Wigan and now Leeds. Supporters are already muttering about him coning back but I think that Cruiseliner has long since sailed.
Much as there is emotional familiarity there, the club kept going without him. I’ll be eternally grateful for the position he got us to but it was Mark Warburton, with the backing of Matthew Benham, who was ultimately able to make the big step.
Then again, but for that penalty…. (hey, it’s been a while).
Back in West London, the development squad recorded an impressive 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace. Moreso, considering Brentford were 2-0 down in the second half. However, a Montell Moore effort and two Sam Saunders goals in injury time (or ‘Autumn’ as its known on the training ground) were enough to complete a remarkable turnaround.
The win is great news, but even better is the thought of Sam Saunders returning to such imperious form. One thing the team has been crying out for is the sort of flair and enthusiasm brought by the likes of Sam and Jota (thanks, Dougie).
Whilst Charlton Athletic on Saturday is probably a bit too optimistic, could we see him back in time for an appearance in the QPR game on Friday week? What a time to come off the bench that would be.
The main reason we are talking about all of this is because the Wolves game, originally scheduled for tonight, has been put back 24 hours. Us football fans are very much creatures of habit and to play midweek on anything but a Tuesday feels somewhat odd. It shouldn’t but it does.
Much like when we lose the toss and the opposition does the sneaky trick of making us swap ends so we kick ‘the wrong way’ in the first half. It is a situation that rarely ends well (go on statisticians, prove me wrong) and leaves me feeling less than comfortable.
On the plus side, it means the players have had a bit longer to recharge after Saturday’s win over Rotherham but will it make a difference? For those of us not going, Mark Burridge, Ciaran Brett and Mark Chapman provide the Beesplayer comms. Where we can find out.
And finally, Lionel Road. Whilst we are still awaiting that photo of Mark Devlin and Matthew Benham leaning on shovels as we finally ‘break ground’, discussion around the stadium, and how it will look, continues. And overnight, the possibility of the Brentford monorail has risen from the ashes once more.
By possibility,I mean in no more form than just my own warped imagination where a photograph of the St. Pauli sausage train crossed my social media timeline. Whilst now, sadly, defunct, back in 2010 the VIP seats at the German club were served by this most special of train services.
Running every five minutes from the club kitchens, it brought hot bratwurst to those in the top seats. Presumably, to be washed down by the individual beer pumps at every chair.
If Matthew Benham is reading (you never know) how about something similar at Lionel Road? What finer way to have your pie served than without even having to leave the seat?
At a time when we are looking to make the new ground that little bit different (and the ‘hot seat’ idea is already one that has previously met with approval), how about it?
Nick Bruzon
It’s official! Nobody saw this coming (especially Alan Irwin)
2 SepIt’s official – Brentford have signed Portugal U-21 striker Betinho on loan from Sporting. Just read that again! Brentford have signed Portugal U-21 striker Betinho on loan from Sporting. The story is so incredible sounding that you wouldn’t believe it to be true if it you’d read it any place other than in club news or on the BBC.
It’s official – the deal to take Adam Forshaw to Wigan Athletic from Brentford has finally gone through, a week after the price finally reached an acceptable level (you can’t blame Dave Whelan for trying his luck).
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.
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