Brentford make a first ever trip to Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium on Sunday for a game that will see them handed the chance to overtake the currently eighth placed hosts.
To do this, the Bees will have to achieve something they’ve not managed so far this campaign. Namely, winning back-to-back away games. It’s no secret that Keith Andrews’ side have been as out of sorts on the road as they have been impressive at home. Only Wolves have a worse record on their travels which, given they’ve only picked up three points all season and we’ve now reached half-distance, comes as no surprise to anybody.
That said, Brentford did manage an away win last time. Albeit at Molineux. Was this the monkey off the back or a result that was nothing more than the win expected from anybody when taking their turn against the divisional whipping boys? Then again, who cares? A win is still a win whilst Wolves are perhaps slightly better than their form suggests, given recent performances at Arsenal and Manchester United.
Now, the Bees have the opportunity to do it on the road once more although the primary focus has to be on themselves. Regardless of the opposition. The 0-0 draw with Spurs something that could perhaps be bottled and sold to insomniacs. We’d make a fortune. Yet this was, in truth, largely down to Tottenham’s negativity, time-wasting, Thomas Frank’s desire to avoid defeat at all costs not to mention poor refereeing at the crucial moments.
I’m still clueless (plus ca change) as to how no action was taken, not even the award of a free kick, after Cristian Romero stayed on the pitch having scythed through Igor Thiago. It was as blatant a foul as you’ll ever see so let’s hope Sunday’s referee, Anthony Taylor, can get a grip early and deal with any transgressions appropriately. Stranger things have happened.
Despite Spurs’ approach to the game the Bees still fell short themselves. The midfield lacking the flair of Mathias Jensen and /or Mikkel Damsgaard. Keith Andrews used Friday’s press conference to talk about the pair, noting how Jensen “Wasn’t right to start; he had a bit of a bug”. As for Damsgaard, it was an enigma wrapped in a riddle and served to the press on a bed of intrigue.
“Dams is someone I rate very, very highly. At times this season we haven’t found him in the right areas where he can be as effective as we know he can be, but that’s only a matter of time as we start to evolve and have more control.”
In English, Keith? Is he unfit or dropped? Mikkel was last season’s player of the year by a country mile and has still looked as effective this time around. Certainly, when given the chance. To not have him used properly is hardly the fault of a player whose skills Brentford were crying out for in an attempt to break through a turgid Tottenham side.
Indeed, the whole team selection for that one was as puzzling as the tactical change that had seen the free-flowing football employed to such devastating effect against Bournemouth now abandoned. Even allowing for fitness and other issues, the longer the second-half went on the more it felt like we were flogging a dead horse. Personally speaking, I was surprised to see no changes made until there were only 10 minutes left on the clock.
Again, it comes back to the fact that results and the table don’t lie. The Bees remain just a win away from dreamland. Something we’ve said on more than a few occasions this last few weeks. Keith’s tactical approach may not always be the most appealing on the eye or the logical side of the footballing brain, but the Bees remain a force to be reckoned with at home. He’s got a huge challenge in maintaining this on the road and moreso against an Everton team for whom goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has only David Raya ahead of him in the race for football’s golden glove.
The England ‘keeper has managed eight clean sheets already this season and will no doubt be looking for more. He won’t be alone. Everton have moved from last season’s relegation shoe-ins to a side transformed since David Moyes took over a year ago. They’ve picked up where they left off this time around and continue to push.
That said, Moyes continues to have injuries and absences to contend with. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carlos Alcaraz, Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite remain on the sidelines. Likewise, Michael Keane, albeit he at least has a chance of featuring. Jack Grealish is the player most likely to appear after returning to the bench last time out – something that will be a source of frustration given his sparkling form prior to injury. The Manchester City loanee very much relishing his role as big fish in the small pond after not being able to make it in the shark tank at The Ethiad.
Whomever the home team start with, this one won’t be easy for Brentford. By the same virtue, if Keith is happy to go for the attacking set up then there’s no reason why he won’t chalk up another away win. Taking half-measures isn’t going to overly test a ‘keeper of Pickford’s calibre. Full throttle and going for it is the only way.
If nothing else, nobody needs another dose of Temazepam.
