Saturday evening’s visit of Chelsea sees Brentford looking to bounce back from the late, late reverse at Sunderland last time out.
That game, a fortnight ago, has been and gone. The transfer window has since closed, Wissa has finally chipped off (at vast expense to his new employers), Reiss Nelson has come in from Arsenal and Keith Andrews has a new member of staff. Jack Lester joining as new assistant first-team coach after Martin Drury left just three league games in. Go figure what happened there. Sources all remain tight-lipped on that front.
Instead, focus has to be on the game in hand. With kick-off pushed back to 8pm to accommodate Sky TV coverage, all eyes will be on TW8 to see if the Bees can halt the momentum of the close-season kickabout-cup winners. It was the summer tournament that nobody cared about, but, urghhh, won’t it be bludgeoned to death now? Bless them.
That said, the Blues are currently second in the Premier League. Whatever you think of their overseas antics, nobody can deny they’ve started the domestic campaign hard with defeats of Fulham and West Ham following the draw with Crystal Palace. Now, a fourth successive London derby awaits with Brentford hosting Enzo Maresca’s costly squad.
The good news for the Bees is that there’s a clean bill of health after the international break. Aaron Hickey won plenty of plaudits following his performances for Scotland whilst Mikel Damsgaard scored ‘that’ goal. If you somehow haven’t seen it then do take a look. Then take credit in the fact that the player, who had a similarly impressive effort unjustly denied him in the defeat of Aston Villa, won’t go crying to the club’s goal of the month committee. Oh, Fulham, are there no desperate depths to which you won’t sink?
Perhaps most impressive was Brentford ending the week with two players captaining their countries. Nathan Collins for the Republic of Ireland and Jordan Henderson for England.
Let’s just pause to take stock. A Brentford player as the England captain.
This is not a drill. This is not a typo. For all the incredible stories we’ve told over the years – from being able to stay alive through to becoming competitive in the Premier League – even the most fanatical and positive of Bees’ supporters would probably have baulked had this come up on their bingo cards. Yet there it was against Serbia – a moment to be truly proud of.
The Bees certainly go into this one on a high. Morale must be through the roof now that the bad penny has finally gone and these most impressive of international honours have been bestowed on Keith Andrews’ squad. By contrast, Chelsea have just been hit with 74 charges relating to breaches of agent regulations. Oops.
Whilst I am sure this will end up all being swept under the carpet and a paltry slap on the wrist administered in about ten years’ time, it is short-term attention that nobody needs and can only be a distraction.
Will the circumstances be sufficient for Keith Andrews to be able to take advantage though?
Let’s be honest, just about every outsider has this one down as an away win. And? We get the same every season but that’s not stopped the Bees inflicting defeat after defeat on Chelsea despite everything seemingly in favour of big spending Blues.
This time around, there are two new look squads. Chelsea having invested heavily but well. Brentford adapting to life after Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken and the other chap who went to Newcastle. To be fair, that’s now old news. Time to move on.
Keith Andrews has been at the helm almost three months. His squad is locked in. He knows his players. All distractions are dealt with. This is now his time to shine. To show just what he can do as a coach – just what his team can do on the field.
Friday’s press conferences may reveal more news although at least Vitaly Janelt has been back in action. Whilst it is probably too soon for a league return, this is a positive sign. Otherwise, I’m expecting Keith to go cagey. To take it slow and cautious. To let his players feel their way into a game which will see a solid set up interspersed with attempts to let Dango Ouattara break clear and run at Chelsea.
Certainly, Brentford have been content to allow their opponents more of the ball so far this campaign and there’s no reason to expect any difference this time around. All well and good as long as The Bees can find the back of the net when they do have control. Villa were beaten. Sunderland should have been. Two ‘goals’ chalked off in the last two games show the marginal differences we are contending with.
Saturday evening has all the hallmarks of being a special one. Unfancied Brentford with the crowd behind them, tails up and the floodlights on. We all know how exciting it feels after dark. Chelsea looking to continue their early season pace and justify that ‘favourites’ tag.
Reputations count for nothing. Past form is never an indication of future success. All we can say is that this is going to be fun. Moreso if The Bees can pick up a second home win in as many games.
Bring it on and see you there.
