Brentford head in to Saturday lunchtime’s game at Chelsea with a spring in the step. Nick Bruzon previews.
Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Burnley at the Gtech was lit up by three beautifully taken goals, including those stunners from Bryan Mbeumo and Saman Ghoddos. However, it was as much the positivity of The Bees’ attacking intent that brought a smile to the face with chances created by the bucketload and only the brilliance of James Trafford in nets keeping things respectable for the visitors.
Neal Maupay in particular must be wondering how he didn’t score. It was certainly through no lack of effort from a player starting a first Brentford game in his second stint. Trafford just had ‘one of those games’. Besides, there was plenty else to look at in his performance. Playing up front, Neal’s interplay with both Wissa and Bryan was a joy to behold. Whilst the offside flag and the ‘keeper denied him in this one, he had a key role in creating all three of our goals.
Hence Thomas’ biggest decision for Saturday. Does he go with a back three and front two or stick with the same formation that was so devastating against the team from Turf Moor? We know that Ben Mee is getting ever closer to a start – he was on the bench for the Burnley game and played an hour for the B team during the week.
Whether this fixture is too soon for 90 minutes from Ben remains to be seen but I’m sure we’ll have three centre-backs at some point. When Thomas deploys this option – we know he often has a starting and finishing XI in mind – remains to be seen. However, having our player of the season back in action can only be seen as a huge bonus. Moreso given the broader absentee issues gripping the squad.
Whatever else happens, Aaron Hickey is available following his one-game suspension. Well though Vitaly Janelt did covering at left-back, this one is a no-brainer. The German will return to midfield with, presumably, Frank The Tank dropping back to the bench.
As for Chelsea, they seem to have found their feet in recent weeks. 7(seven) points out of a possible 9 in October have seen them hit the top half of the table following a sluggish start in which it seemed Frank Lampard hadn’t been sent the memo about Poch taking over. September had seen them particularly abject with the run of results including the 0-0 at Bournemouth and a home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Whilst the ship has now steadied a little, there are still injury concerns although nowhere near those experienced by Thomas Frank. Then again, recent fixtures at Stamford Bridge have shown the Bees that positivity brings its own rewards. Last season’s 2-0 win came after the preceding campaign’s 4-1 trashing of (counts back on fingers) Thomas Tuchel’s side.
A third Premier League win on the bounce at Stamford Bridge (not a typo) would see Brentford leapfrog our hosts. With their own supporters having the much-anticipated news about the trip to Wolves being shifted to Christmas Eve confirmed yesterday, might there be a muffled air of discontent in a ground where the atmosphere has never been the most raucous?
It is a decision which shows utter contempt for supporters as well as everyone involved in the matchday experience from first aiders to those serving the tea and all in between. Likewise, something which has direct impact on Brentford with the traditional Boxing Day fixture now shifted to December 27.
We’ll no doubt talk more about this in the coming weeks, even though nothing will change. Instead, all focus needs to be on what happens on Saturday. However you follow the game – radio, TV or in the stadium – it promises to be an intriguing clash.
Enjoy!
