Another weekend, another West London derby. Brentford follow last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea by making the short hop up the road to Fulham.
In between these two games, The Bees have also progressed to the Fourth Round of the League Cup. Drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa and then making short work of the penalty kicks, both in the saving as well as the scoring.
One could only wonder what might have been had Keith Andrew’s team enjoyed a similar experience in the league at Sunderland.
Still, there’s no point crying over spilt milk. The important things being that Brentford are a step closer to Wembley in the cup, whilst also enjoying the quite wonderful feeling of seeing Chelsea scuppered by their own time wasting in the Premiership.
Blues going 2-1 up late on but ultimately denied the victory when Fabio Carvalho levelled it up deep into stoppage time. The additional five minutes added on accrued directly as a result of the visitors’ own time wasting and play-acting.
We’ve had many delicious moments against Chelsea in recent seasons – amongst them the 4-1 win at The Bridge and Neal Maupay getting yellow carded before even making it on to the field of play. To the list, you can add Fabio’s equaliser. I reckon even Dad enjoyed that one.
Now, though, we look ahead to the game at the Putney Museum. For the midweek cup-tie, Keith Andrews picked a side made up largely of bench players, but they really rose to the occasion.
He now has several dilemmas outfield, whilst Hákon Valdimarsson in goal got better and better as the game progressed. He kept The Bees in it with two fine stops and then pulled off those magnificent saves in the shoot-out.
Mikkel Damsgaard has recovered from his illness. Dango Ouattara played really well against Villa. We also know from Keith’s press conference that Igor Thiago is fit once again.
I’d expect all three to return to the starting XI, but after that, it is anybody’s bet about how much we stick to the tried and tested. Certainly, the head coach isn’t afraid to mix it up as we saw against Chelsea – a trio of centre-backs catching most observers off guard when a line also containing the ever-popular Ethan Pinnock was named.
For now, I’m fairly sure Keith will return to two at the back. Start the game by maximising his attacking set-up. Kevin Schade had a blinder against Chelsea, so unless he needs to be rested, he will also return. Indeed, any secret injuries aside, I think it really will be BAU from the regulars.
Kelleher, KLP, Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Henderson, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Ouattara, Schade, Thiago
Tough on those who played so well against Villa but Keith with the knowledge he has all manner of talent on the bench.
A substitutes’ line-up up including Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock, Fabio Carvalho, and the fit again Vitaly Janelt, isn’t half bad.
Not to mention new boy Reiss Nelson returning to his former stomping ground. Gone are the days of asking ‘who, who, who?’ as the team was named.
As for Fulham, well, frankly, who cares? Whomever is wearing their white shirts is almost a side show.
For Brentford, this is all about channeling the spirit of Gary Blissett, Stuart Dallas, and Neal Maupay. About recording yet another derby-day win.
Whether a 1-0 smash and grab or a 4-1 trashing – it doesn’t really matter how. Moreso after last season. Move along, nothing to see here.
That said, one does have to be cautious after Fulham’s own home win in the previous game last Saturday. Largely flaccid up top, it took them almost an hour to register the first of five shots recorded all game; they still clung on to claim a 1-0 victory.
That, thanks to a 94th-minute own goal from Leeds United’s Gabriel Gudmundsson, who powered a header past his own keeper when under no pressure.
Talk about Sophie’s Choice. Who doesn’t absolutely love to see that happen to Leeds United? If anything unites the footballing world, it’s watching the Elland Road club falling apart. Again. Yet at what price?
Perhaps it is best to focus simply on what lies ahead. Let the Michael Jackson fan club concentrate on their cauldron of calm. The neutral stand can be the sea of foam fingers and clappers, it usually is, rested only so the home support can tuck into their sponge cakes and cheese boards.
Those of them that aren’t in the swimming pool. For Brentford, this is all about taking three more points from the team down the road.
Aside from runaway leaders Liverpool, the fledgling table remains tight. At both ends. Putting local pride to one side, if that’s possible, the reward for victory purely from the perspective of the table remains a huge one. No doubt Keith will be salivating at the prospect.
This is going to be fun. Whichever way you follow this one, don’t forget that this 8 pm kick off is also on TV – enjoy the game. For those in the away end, safe travels and be loud. See you on the 267.
