A 2-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening continued a fine run of away form that has very much kept European aspirations alive.
Goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa – one in each half – secured Brentford what was a sixth win on their travels out of the last eight games. Chuck the draw with Arsenal into that mix and the transformation since early season has been nothing short of stunning. Thomas Frank enjoying the luxury of a settled team – even able to bring on Rico Henry for the second half in lieu of KLP (a player one observer next to me described as ‘looking angry tonight’) – and really reaping the rewards.
With so much talk in the footballing world about Forest making a run for the Champions League, it is The Bees who are storming up the blindside in the race for Europe. Whilst the elite competition may be just beyond grasp, the prospect of a place in the UEFA Conference is very much on. Only two points separate Brentford from The Cottagers who, of course, still have to visit the Gtech. With Bournemouth and Brighton also vying for that position, the final four games are going to be about as exciting as they come.
That’s to come. For now, it’s all about the game at The City Ground. Thomas Frank sticking with the team who thumped Brighton and then able to watch them do to Forest what had been done to us in the reverse fixture just before Christmas.
The home side didn’t look at the races in the opening period. Perhaps the disappointment of the FA Cup, tired legs and pressure getting to them. With referee Darren England brandishing his cards like there was a fire sale at Clintons, including one early on for KLP, he was the one who was centre of attention.
Sepp van den Berg with probably their best chance of that opening period from close in but Matz Sels in nets pulled off a fine stop to deny his header just after the quarter hour mark. Yet there was a feeling of inevitability about what may come and, sure enough, it did with half-time beckoning.
Nathan Collins playing a long ball over the top which fell for Schade. Ola Aina getting himself in a muddle (that’s the polite term), the German managing to keep control and steer it home. 1-0 and Brentford on top.
The second-half saw essential changes. With biblical levels of rain falling, Forest had no choice but to step it up. The Bees content to absorb and stop anything thrown at them. Collins and van den Berg dealing with whatever came their way. Chris Wood nullified. Kayode a beast on the right. Elanga in particular struggling to match the latest find to roll off the Brentford production line.
Mark Flekken in nets, coping admirably with anything that came his way and then with twenty minutes to go, getting his second assist of the season.
Another long ball, this time finding Wissa. Again, the control from the Brentford player in complete contrast to the opposition. He cut in and then delivered the sweetest of chips over Sels. The sort of goal, and celebration, anybody present will remember for a long time.
It really was THAT exquisite a finish.
2-0, game over. Forest’s hopes of salvaging anything diminishing by the second and Brentford showing the wherewithal to see the game out. Bryan Mbeumo almost making it three but overcooking it and curling the ball over. Sadly, there was to be no eighth Wissa-Mbeumo double but, perhaps more importantly, there was to be no stress inducing late goal to halve the deficit. Instead, another clean sheet. Another away win. Another chance to keep the dream alive.
Next up, Manchester United on Sunday. The Gtech will be bouncing for that one.
That’s to come. For now, our game by game search for the top five players of the season. As always, five points being awarded for star player, four for second place, three for third etc with the totals added up game-by-game to find an overall winner after game 38.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 34 (vs Nottingham Forest)
1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Nathan Collins
Another towering performance from Nathan. There were several genuine contenders for star player this time around but for me, Clive, he stood out over all of them.
The prolific Chris Wood, having such a good season that he must be nailed in to everyone’s Fantasy Football team, didn’t get a look in. The Bees content to let Forest try and come at them, safe in the knowledge that Nathan is performing heroics at the back. Confidence flowing out to the rest of the back four.
He had the most pass completions and, of course, can add the assist for his ball to Kevin Schade. Sky Sports also naming him their man of the match whilst you could see what it meant to him, and the team, in his post match interview. The passion and drive for the run in clear to behold.
Top, top work Nathan Collins.
2nd (4 points) – Yoane Wissa
Oh my. What a finish for that second goal. You could watch it time and again.
Yet it was as much the importance of it, as the quality, which stands out. To suddenly get some clear air heading in to the final 20 minutes, in a half where the hosts had shown the upper hand, was absolutely vital. It was a game changing moment in more ways than one.
As always, Wissa ran his legs off. Put in one heck of a shift on a night where the opportunities for rewards were slim. He didn’t stop though
3rd (3 points) – Michael Kayode
If Nathan did it in the middle, Michael was gargantuan on the right.
I have to be honest, I thought we might go for the experience of Kris Ajer in this one. Thankfully, Thomas is the manager and he has really now laid down the future direction of his team. Michael rose to the challenge and then some. It really was ‘None shall pass’.
I thought the loanee was outstanding and cannot wait for him to sign over the summer if this is how he plays.
4th (2 points) – Yehor Yarmoliuk
He bossed the midfield. A midfield that includes Christian Norgaard.
If Thomas has his new look defence in play, what about the future state midfield? Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard and Norgaard are now the way forward. With Vitaly Janelt now out for the season, Yehor really has a chance to keep showing his quality. He was everywhere last night and all the more important given the needs to absorb and break up play.
5th (1 point) – Mark Flekken
Hard lines to Sepp van den Berg but Mark gets the final slot for this game.
He was, yet again, 100% reliable and solid. Moreso in treacherous conditions. Pulled off a number of fine saves whilst his distribution is really becoming a potent weapon. We’re so used to Brentford tearing up the flanks and through the middle, it caught everyone cold that we chose to bypass this an play it on for the fast runners (twice). Mark’s ball was perfect.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Overall (after Matchweek 34)
All of which means that a nil return for KLP in this makes Mikkel Damsgaard our player of the season with four games to go. Congratulations and well done, Mikkel. Everything else is still up for grabs though and with Nathan Collins now just a single point outside the top five, who knows what might happen when Manchester United visit on Sunday.
1st – Mikkel Damsgaard (90 points)
2nd – Keane Lewis-Potter (65 points)
3rd – Bryan Mbeumo (57 points)
T4th – Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken (56 points)
