That brutal sequence of 3 games in 8 days comes to an end on Saturday as Brentford welcome Newcastle United to The Gtech.
At least it provides a quick opportunity to jump straight back on the horse following the midweek reverse at Aston Villa. That one, a game where The Bees were dead and buried before fully in to their flow. Three goals down in little more than half an hour proving too much of a hurdle to clear, despite Mikkel Damsgaard giving hope as he narrowed the deficit early in to the second half. Alas, 3-1 it stayed with Brentford still searching that elusive first away win of the campaign.
The much touted positive being that home form is as diametrically opposed to that on the road as it is possible to imagine. Only the draw with West Ham blotting the copy book of straight wins in TW8. The latest being last Saturday’s 4-1 thumping of Leicester City. With two rounds of the league cup also safely negotiated at home – ironically, serving up next week’s quarter-final with The Magpies – it’s safe to say that the Gtech feels very much like the proverbial fortress.
The defeat at Villa Park was one notable for the absence of skipper Christian Nørgaard and Mathias Jensen whilst Kris Ajer continued his stint on the sidelines. The captain being out was totally unexpected with the groan when the line-up was revealed almost audible. The good news being that Thomas has confirmed it should be nothing more than a brief absence.
He used Thursday’s press conference to tell journalists that, “ I’m still very hopeful that Nørgaard will be available. He trained today on the pitch, so that’s positive.” The head coach then going on to add that, “I’m very happy it’s likely he’ll be ready for Saturday.”
Kris Ajer is possible although it sounds as though this will be one game too soon for Mathias Jensen. Then again, Thomas has this wonderful knack of both shuffling his pack and playing smoke and mirrors when it comes to players. Understandably. Who wants to give the opposition any clues?
Let’s be honest – who saw Kevin Schade being promoted from bench to starting XI for the Leicester City game? I didn’t, that’s for sure. Yet look how he responded. A hand in all four goals with the assist for our opener and then bagging the next three himself for a first, ever hat-trick.
A perfect example of the perennial fact that with Brentford expect the unexpected. The doom and gloom from certain quarters about how we would cope after selling Ivan Toney has been met with sixteen goals scored in our last four Premier League games at The Gtech. Then there was that stint (home and away) of scoring within 90 seconds of kick-off.
Fingers crossed that the visit of Newcastle United will see more of the same. If nothing else, the memory of Anthony Gordon being ‘fouled’ in the away game last season to win a somewhat dubious feeling penalty still lives strong in the minds’ eye. That’s the game where Rico Henry was crocked and is still out, even now, and which we lost by that solitary spot-kick. Let’s not forget, either, that 2023/24 ended with a 4-2 reverse to Eddie Howe’s team at the Gtech.
Revenge should never be the driver but it would certainly be nice for Brentford to get a few bragging rights back. If nothing else, The Magpies have proven our most formidable opponents at this level with our six encounters to date yielding just one point.
Regardless of what has gone before, this should be a fantastic afternoon where the atmosphere will be through the roof. Bees with all manner of points to prove whilst Newcastle supporters will travel en-masse. Credit where its due, they are always amongst the most vocal of our visitors.
With both teams locked on 20 points and knowing a win will, other results aside, put them back in the European places there really is extra incentive to go for broke. For the visitors this is almost an expectation, given the investment levels seen since the takeover. For Brentford, a nothing to lose pressure free chance of a lifetime.
I can’t wait for 3pm to see who grabs that opportunity. Bring it on and see you there.
