What do you want? Information.

I can’t take credit. Looking through twitter on the way home I saw the intriguing suggestion from Tony Cross (well worth a follow on @Lokster71) that there was a crossover sketch between Brentford and TV’s The Prisoner just waiting to happen.

And he’s right. I just hadn’t appreciated, almost fifty years since the cult classic first aired, how appropriate those opening scenes are. With Brentford fans waiting for the much promised ‘statement’ in regards to the managerial situation, on Monday the club website remained frustratingly devoid of information whilst the fans begged the question, just who is number one?

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.

Woeful week sees Bees lurch from crisis to debacle

A dreadful week for Brentford off field ended in calamitous style on it. Instead of consolidating our play off spot and, even, aiming higher we’ve slipped to 7^th(seventh) place after this woeful defeat to a Charlton Athletic side who hadn’t won in three months prior. This, following the loss to Watford on Tuesday, has compounded a ludicrous five days where the performance at The Valley was every bit as embarrassing as ‘that statement’ and the subsequent tumbleweed out of Griffin Park.

This isn’t a question about the ‘support’ of Matthew Benham.

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.

The Bees fans were (mostly) focussed on the game and showing their support

The situation stinks as Bees fans leave The Valley

Bonus for Bees as Liverpool and Andy Murray need new balls, please

The top of the Championship table locked up that bit closer last night after Bournemouth (whose Eddie Howe was named manager of the month for December) slipped to their second defeat in three January games, this time to Leeds United. All this means that a win for Brentford at Norwich City on Saturday, whilst a big ask, will take us to within two points of the top.

With the Cherries hitting the crossbar with a late penalty (hmm) it was a perhaps unexpected result, being Leeds’ first win in eight games. But whatever the circumstance, even those who blame the Clem like jinx of manager of the month, a Bournemouth defeat only makes the trip to Carrow Road even more interesting than it already was.

The BBC shows how the top eight are pulling away. But can Brentford capitalise ?

It is a trip that will see the Bees bolstered by even more strike power with the news announced yesterday that England under-20 Chris Long has signed on a month’s loan from Everton. Despite not, yet, featuring for their first team this can only be a good thing. Don’t forget, this is the same Everton youth system that has already seen the likes of Jake Bidwell, Adam Forshaw and Conor McAleny make the journey South to Griffin Park.

Chris adds another option up front. Presumably at first, the diminutive striker (5ft6 to 5ft9 depending on where you read) will be used as a change over for Andre Gray. However, being a traditionalist I’m not averse to seeing two men up top and so it is nice to have another chance to mix things up, if needed.

Not only does Chris offer goals but, like Alan Judge, he comes a gift wrapped headline writers dream. I’m already looking forward to Brentford scoring with “A Long shot from two yards out”. Although we’ll happily take one from any distance.

Chris Long – the signing shirt was in evidence yesterday

And being the traditionalist that I am, I was somewhat upset at a missed opportunity last night. Not Sky’s decision to show Everton’s neighbours, Liverpool, in Capital One Cup action against Chelsea rather than the Bournemouth game but, instead, their review of the action in the 10pm newsreel on Sky Sports News.

Don’t get me wrong, I generally love this service although my patience has been tested in recent weeks by the oversize ‘on demand’ logo that continually flashes away on the giant screens behind our hosts’ shoulder. Something as unsightly and distracting as a Steve Evans touchline rant.

However, the show began last night with the Liverpool highlights and an observation that, “The yellow ball was used because of light snow”.

Yellow? Because of snow? Surely it is the universal law of football that snowy conditions = orange ball?

And, whilst the neon yellow monstrosity seems to have become the de facto ball of choice in the winter months, surely it wouldn’t be that hard to honour one football staple that seems to have all but died a death?

Still, one place where yellow balls are to be expected is on the tennis court. So we finish today with a look at a feature being run on the website of the The Guardian newspaper, encouraging readers to design a new logo for Andy Murray. Specifically to honour the 77 years between his Wimbledon victory and the previous British winner.

It isn’t too late to enter and if you’d like “to capture his energy and spirit whilst subtly referencing his affinity with the number 77” (their words) you’ve got a week left to do it here. However, I’d suggest this is one design that, much like British tennis players, probably won’t be appearing on centre court any time soon.

Liverpool may have dropped their balls last night but at least The Guardian readers are grabbing them with relish.

Not appearing on centre court any time soon?

Bees set for Brighton as Liverpool stars reveal shocking 80’s taste

Championship football is almost back with us. Tomorrow sees Brighton visit Griffin Park as Brentford finally get the chance to resume competitive action and, potentially, move even further ahead of Fulham. With the gap already 7(seven) points, a victory over Brighton combined with Reading doing the needful over The Cottagers would see this grow to double figures.

Of equal statistical interest is the chance for Brentford to attain their highest league placing in 60 years, should we move one more place up the table. If my maths are correct, The Bees’ current position of eighth equals the previous benchmark, set in the 1950s (and, briefly, in 1992).

Brighton are no mugs, of course. Having reached the play off semi finals for the last two seasons (the results being a pain that Brentford fans know only too well) they’ve now started to find their legs as another attempt on the Premiership begins.

Despite losing their opening two fixtures they’ve put a little run together that sees them just a single point behind The Bees. It won’t be easy tomorrow but with the International break, at least, giving us the chance to help with a few injuries, I’m confident we can continue where we left off last time out.

If nothing else, there’s the prospect of Betinho. The signing of the Portuguese U21 took most people by surprise and I’m just itching to see what he can do as Warbs’ continental revolution continues.

The signing of Betinho is officially announced to the world

The second part of today’s column requires you to look elsewhere as a series of 1980’s photographs have been collated, most of them featuring Liverpool players, showing footballers relaxing in the opulence of their mock-Tudor mansions

Have you ever wondered what Graeme Souness would look like, trying out as an extra on Miami Vice? Are you curious as to what Phil Neal wore in his snooker room? Want to see Kenny Dalglish – international man of business?

In that case, I can only implore you to take a look at Steven Bloor’s Guardian article about ‘1980s footballers at home’. Featuring everything from Pat Jennings posing awkwardly by the fireplace in a cardigan/action slacks combo to Trevor Brooking taking the world’s first ‘selfie’, you can find the picture gallery here.

Aswell as the Liverpool connection, there’s even a few Bees in there, with Terry Butcher and Kenny Sansom featured.

Enjoy !!

 

Kenny Sansom – in more tasteful gear than seen in the Guardian article