With domestic football having had somewhat of a quiet few months, things have suddenly exploded into life. There’s been more good news for Brentford fans with Scott Hogan looking good in ‘pre-season’ whilst, on the downside, Liverpool have accepted a bid from Norwich for Sergi Canos. Fan favourite Clayton Donaldson has been on tour, and in the bath, with Birmingham City where the St. Andrews club have taken no prisoners when it comes to updating social media. And, there’s been kit news out of Griffin Park……
First up, Scott Hogan. Whilst we all know that he came back from that horrendous injury with a glut of goals at the end of last season, how good to see him on the training ground yesterday. His own Twitter update of “Enjoying my first pre season for a couple of years” said it all, really.
This was accompanied by the picture below, showing the free scoring striker being put through his paces and not, as has been suggested, tripping over a twig. We’ve been there, done that, never again please. Seriously though, this is fantastic news for a player who more than rewarded the faith shown in him by Matthew Benham, Neil Greig and the Bees medical team over the 18 months of his recovery.
Scott’s instantgram update
And from one striker to another. Although this time a former one in Clayton Donaldson who is now, of course, plying his trade at Birmingham City. And, just as a side note, are there any professions other than football where one is deemed to “ply his trade”? Answers on postcard, marked ‘ply’.
Whilst the Bees may be at Jersey Road for now, The Blues are currently in Marbella preparing for the forthcoming season. Sadly they don’t have the equivalent of Peter Gilham’s wonderful tour diary (I can’t wait for this year’s edition) but there is the usual montage of pictures. And the unusual.
Specifically one of Clayton who, coincidentally, we were talking about in the warmest terms just a few days ago. Well, now its time to talk about him in the coldest terms (I’ll put the crowbar away). Not literally as, instead, I’ll leave you with this image of him and Birmingham team mate Jacques Maghoma enjoying – if that’s the word – three minutes in the ice bath.
Things I never thought I’d see
This was taken off their Twitter feed pretty sharpish although still exists, for now, on ‘the wall’ . No idea why. It’s just a bit of harmless fun and good to see ‘the other side’ of football. We have an antigravity treadmill and Cryo chamber. Birmingham have weight lifting and bath tubs (all can be found on our respective club ‘wall’ / Twitter accounts) .
Regardless, Clayton remains a legend in my eyes and its always great following what the big man has been up to.
Could Sergi Canos be back at Griffin Park next season? Playing against us? The BBC report that Liverpool have accepted a £2.5 million bid for the Spanish wunderkind. Not from the Bees but a Norwich City side who have just sold Nathan Redmond to Southampton.
Nobody needs me to spell out the threat and the potential that Sergi posesses. The impact he made at Griffin Park whilst on loan from Liverpool was an incredible one whilst I still get a buzz just thinking about ‘that goal’ at Reading. It was incredible to see it live; watching it on repeat does nothing to diminish the quality.
Mark Burridge has another ‘Jota moment’
If this move does play out then I can only wish Sergi well. He only ever showed the utmost enthusiasm on and off pitch when it came to Brentford. Sure, it would be great to see him back in the red and white but, equally, we’ve not done too badly when it comes to shopping ourselves.
And finally, regular readers will be aware of what could discreetly be called ‘a passing interest’ in all things kit related on these pages. Could we about to be given more news as to what the Bees will be wearing next season?
Much like Peter Gilham’s tour diary, Mark Devlin’s annual strip tease is fast becoming one of the most hotly anticipated moments of the summer. Whilst this year’s has taken a touch longer to begin (or is that just the anticipation), the eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted this on ‘official’ twitter yesterday.
I may have to go and borrow Clayton’s ice bath.
Not my words etc. etc. etc.
Nick Bruzon
And finally…. : The Last Word ‘season review’ : Ready. Steady. Go Again and the three year anthology : The Bees are going up remain available for download. For all the info, the highs, the lows, more highs (especially about Sergi’s time at Griffin Park) then you can do so now.
Its been a wonderful three years. Here’s to more of the same over 2016/17. Thanks, as ever, for reading
BrentfordFC 