With Manchester United thumped last weekend, this Sunday sees neighbours City try their luck at Brentford. It promises to be a fascinating fixture for so many reasons with the ‘head’ saying only one possible outcome yet the ‘heart’ hoping for the other. At least, that’ll be the thought process from the neutrals.
City all-conquering (usually). All spending. A team packed full of star names, global talent, and spearheaded by the quite magnificent Erling Haaland.
It would be fair to say that Pep Guardiola’s talismanic goal machine is back to his very best at present. Scoring with consummate ease for both club and country. A brace away to Monaco on Wednesday, adding to his eight goals in six Premier League fixtures so far. That’s double the next closest with a clutch of players – including our own Igor Thiago, who does love to leather them – on four.
To the casual observer, they should make short work of a Brentford team that operates on a fraction of the resources or household names.
To the casual observer. Those with a closer eye on things know that just isn’t how football works. The Bees finally hit their groove against United in a 3-1 win that, really, should have seen a way broader margin of victory.
Altar Bayinder in nets for the Red Devils, keeping things briefly respectable before Igor Thiago doubled Brentford’s lead just 20 minutes in. Matthias Jensen wrapping things up at the death with a strike, I’m genuinely flabbergasted to say wasn’t included in the contenders for ‘goal of the month’ announced yesterday.
His movement towards the target zone was silky-smooth. His finish, one described then as ‘A thumped howitzer wrapped up in a tracer bullet of a piledriver.’ Bayinder left no chance, although to be fair, not even the great Schmeichel would have stopped it. Peter, Kasper, or the dog from Corrie.
It leaves Keith Andrews with two problems, of the nicest sort, as he prepares for this one. Firstly, the formation.
It’s no secret that playing three centre-backs has seemed to produce more headaches than benefits this term. The system reverted to two on Saturday, and look what happened.
The Bees have more margin to fill the midfield and actually push into the opposition’s half. Jordan Henderson – player of the month for September – delivering those glorious balls forward with laser sharp accuracy whilst Damsgaard and Yarmoliuk ran riot. That’s before we even look at the wide men doing their thing.
Yet we also know that Keith’s style of football has been a lot more cautious than Brentford fans have been used to. Perhaps in part this was due to everybody finding their feet together, but letting the handbrake off after the Fulham debacle worked wonders. Will he have the confidence to do it again, regardless of the calibre of opposition? Let’s hope so.
The other issue he faces is that of substitutes. Who to bring on and when? It may seem an obvious statement, but given the slim pickings over the years, all of a sudden, the reverse is true.
Fábio Carvalho and Reiss Nelson both missed out against United but were confirmed as being ready for this one. Frank the Tank seems to have relished every second he’s been given off the bench, whilst we all saw what Matthias did. I was impressed with Vitaly’s late run, too. Chuck Kris Ajer, Rico Henry, and KLP in to the mix to realise that five subs don’t seem nearly enough.
Gone are the days of seeing the line-up and thinking ‘Ooh. The bench looks weak. It’ll be a tricky balance of choosing who to bring on and when. Adapting to the situation and reading the game rather than subs by numbers at the pre-ordained times.
Then again, that’s why he’s the head coach – making the big calls and taking the plaudits when they work. It’s way easier to read a game from the safety of the stands rather than the white-hot emotion of the touch lines, where every decision made impacts so many beyond.
We digress. In short, City are back to their blistering best at present with the structure and players to beat just about anybody. Then again, they’ve by no means had it all their way in recent seasons, with Brentford picking up more points from their illustrious opponents than the vast majority of teams over the same period. The fans know this, and the players know this. If Keith gets the right setup and hits the ground running once more, then anything could happen.
Igor Thiago has the taste for goals and a foot like the proverbial traction engine. Set him free, and it could be carnage.
I can’t wait for this one. However, you can follow it – in the ground, on TV, or via other means, enjoy!!!
