Brentford head into Saturday afternoon’s game with Bournemouth as one of only six unbeaten sides in the Premier League. With five points already under the belt following last week’s 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace, the Bees find themselves sitting ninth in the fledgling table.
The only thing less surprising than finishing all square with The Eagles was Rico Henry’s omission from yet another lopsided England squad on Thursday afternoon. This, despite giving a man of the match performance in our season opener with Spurs. A game that was, let’s not forget, played out with Gareth Southgate in attendance.
If any benefit can be taken it is that that a decision which is the national team’s loss can only be Brentford’s gain. Rico will have even more to prove, not that he should have to based on a wonderful last few seasons, before taking a well-earned break. With Bournemouth setting up as a back four behind two holding midfielders and a lone striker, expect the play to be out wide with himself, Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade running at pace down the flanks.
Indeed, Kevin Schade will likely be the other player most people have eyes on. His opener against Palace was a thing of beauty. A moment of genius on an otherwise laborious afternoon for the team that wasn’t helped by an atrocious rainstorm. The weather killing the momentum that Brentford had been building. With his first goal on the board, I’m fully expectant that more will follow.
For the visitors, anyone hoping to see our former Bees starting is set to be disappointed. Ryan Fredericks (calf) and Emiliano Marcondes (foot) are amongst a whole clutch of players likely to remain in the medical room whilst Chris ‘agent’ Mepham has only played thirty minutes in the league. That being the season opener with West Ham where he earned a yellow card for his troubles. Expect him on the bench again although any repeat of ‘that’ moment in the Championship play-off semi-finals will be gratefully accepted.
Mepham did play in the Carabao Cup midweek, as did our own Ben Mee. This is magnificent news for Brentford with 2022/23’s player of the season getting 75 minutes on pitch. The partnership of Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins is one that has thrived in his absence and I have no doubt Thomas will stick with more of the same on Saturday afternoon. Yet to have Ben back as an option, whether from the bench or ready for when we step up to a three centre back formation, is nothing short of the selection headache one could only dream of.
That’s all to come but for now the focus has to be on picking up the win and continuing that unbeaten run. The Champions League spots are within touching distance and yesterday’s draw for this season’s tournament has only served to get football fans salivating further about the prospect of what could come.
Manchester City may already be running away with the Premier League but another three points for Brentford could make things very interesting as the early-season pace setters continue to jostle for position.
Bring it on and see you there!
