Brentford welcome Everton on Saturday, determined to get back to winning ways following last weekend’s first defeat of the season at Newcastle United. Nick Bruzon previews.
Brentford welcome Everton on Saturday, determined to get back to winning ways following last weekend’s first defeat of the season at Newcastle United. It was a game that saw both teams create chances to win it before being decided by the shonkiest of shonky penalty decisions. And the Academy Award goes to…. Anthony Gordon.
The former Everton man may have conned referee Craig Pawson but the frustration felt by Brentford fans regarding that decision was nothing compared to the subsequent news that Rico Henry will now miss the remainder of the season. This, following his ACL injury. The flying fullback now starts the long road to recovery whilst Thomas Frank has decisions to make about how his team look.
The Bees have now lost three of last season’s strongest performers – Rico, David Raya and Ivan Toney – for a variety of reasons. That’s football and two of those three will return. The question for the shorter term is more one of how Brentford do what they have always done and adapt to circumstance.
On paper, it seems a simple decision. Aaron Hickey switches to the left flank that he is familiar with whilst Mads Roerslev gets his chance for an extended run on the right.
Mads has only impressed when he has played there and whilst Kris Ajer may have aspirations for his own shot at that position, at the very least Thomas is likely to rotate the two of them from the bench.
The rest of the team will be as was. Likely to go two at the back (Collins and Pinnock would be my choice). A midfield trio of Janelt, Jensen and Norgaard with the usual front three – Schade, Mbeumo and Wissa. Neal Maupay will be itching to get out in front of the home crowd but will need to be content with a place in the stands, given Premier League rules preclude the loan player from facing his parent club. His time will come.
As for Everton, wow. Alexa: show me awful. They have had an abject start to the campaign with a solitary point from their five games played and a return to losing ways at home to Arsenal last time out. It was a game that many of us watched, as much to see how David Raya fared on his debut for the Gunners and it’s fair to say that’s 90 minutes we’ll never get back. The Toffees were horrific – a moribund performance of long ball that, if it continues, is sure to see them start life at their new home in the Championship.
Phil McNulty, Chief football writer for the BBC, described it as, “A dreadful performance from Everton, lacking in cohesion, creativity or the slightest piece of attacking quality”.
Personally speaking, I think he was being kind. It was more of the same based on the campaign so far, with Sean Dyche currently pushing for the ribbon in the annual Premier League sack race.
All of which makes them the most dangerous opponents imaginable. A desperate team of hoof ball merchants with their backs to the wall and already looking like they are in a relegation battle. In goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Brentford’s former number 26 at centre-back, they still have enough quality in their backline to frustrate the opposition.
It won’t be pretty. It won’t be easy. Anybody thinking this one is a foregone conclusion couldn’t be further from the truth. Watch them grind it out in defence then try to catch one on the break.
At the same time, Thomas Frank has the squad and the tactics at his disposal to see Brentford bounce back after the agony of St. James’ Park. For what it’s worth, I think he’ll do it.
