Brentford welcome Sheffield United to the Gtech on Saturday afternoon, looking as much for a win as to avenge one of the low points of the season. Namely, December’s reverse at Bramall Lane.
The abovementioned result coming at the absolute depths of Brentford’s absentee crisis. The injury list deep and exhaustion clearly setting in. It was a game decided by one shot at goal. An effort where we could politely say that Mark Flekken was perhaps deceived by the flight and trajectory of James McAtee’s long-range strike.
We can say that as much because, of course, Mark has since looked like a man transformed. The Brentford goalkeeper (and his defences – both original and mk ii ) feeling much more settled. The shot-stopper now storming up the blindside of our game-by-game player ratings chart and supported likewise by the addition of an ‘actual’ left back to the defence along with the returns of both Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.
Saturday’s game at Aston Villa, that see-saw 3-3 draw, began with Ivan starting on the bench. Unless Thomas has new injury updates to announce in Friday’s press conference, this one would seem all set for Toney, Mbeumo and Wissa to be unleashed together.
With our visitors having shipped a colossal 82 goals in their 31 games so far(an average of 2.65 per fixture and 15 more than Burnley, the next leakiest defence in the Premier League) the threesome must be licking their lips at the prospect of eating at the all you can score buffet. Indeed, the Blades are on target to blitz the record for most goals conceded in a Premier League season – Swindon Town setting that bar back in 1993-94 (with 100 goals at 2.38 per game).
Even better for Brentford, on paper (we all know how these games should never be taken for granted, just look at Burnley ‘away’), is the possible return of Kevin Schade. He was looking like a man possessed before injury so cruelly robbed him of his chance to shine.
Now, we know that he has been deemed fit and there was some talk of him featuring in the squad at Villa Park. Whilst that didn’t play out, could we see him come on from the bench this time around? It would be the most wonderful boost for the Bees if so. His pace is terrifying whist the home game with Crystal Palace saw him open his account with a quite stunning effort.
As for Sheffield United, they go into this one knowing they will already start next season on -2 points, after being fined by the EFL for defaulting on payments to other clubs in their 2022/23 promotion season. That is, of course, assuming they don’t reel in what is effectively a 10-point gap to safety and pull off an escape to rival even Steve McQueen’s efforts on a Triumph TR6. That, one which ultimately crashed and one can only suspect the same fate for United. The only question being when, rather than if.
They have a whole host of long-term injuries, albeit Chris Wilder was doing his best to sound optimistic about Jack Robinson’s prospects following his injury when not losing against hapless Chelsea on Sunday (not a typo. Chelsea really are hapless). Indeed, that game and the previous against Liverpool saw some quite wonderful fighting spirit from the Blades. Brentford cannot assume anything against a team still just about drinking in the last chance saloon. Even if they are under the table and looking queasy at this stage.
There’s nothing more dangerous than a side backed into a corner and fighting for survival. This one is as incumbent on the Gtech crowd to make huge noise and get behind the team from the off. An early goal would be marvellous and could see the floodgates open. An experience United are quite familiar with this season.
Let’s not just turn up thinking this is a done deal. We have the potential. We have the team. We definitely have the support.
Let’s do it!!
