Brentford have won each of their last three Premier League games against Southampton. Nick Bruzon previews this weekend's match between the two.
Brentford welcome Southampton to the Gtech on Saturday with plenty having happened following the trip to Anfield last Sunday.
That, of course, a game which saw the Bees suffer a 2-0 reverse in what many saw as a free strike fixture. One played out knowing there was ‘nothing to lose’.
Instead, a team set up with more emphasis than expected placed on midfield over defence did really well to minimise the damage, contain their illustrious hosts and almost find a way back in to the game. Bryan Mbeumo coming oh-so close to earning a 70th minute penalty at 1-0 down when wrestled to the ground by Andy Robertson. Frustratingly, a marginal offside got in the way and within moments Mo Salah had doubled Liverpool’s lead.
Close but no cigar. The Bees moved on and eased past the potato skin of a trip to Colchester United on Wednesday evening in the League Cup. New signings Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho amongst those to offer Thomas Frank food for thought when the team to face Southampton is named. Could they be included in the starting XI?
One player who definitely won’t feature in that game, or any time soon after, is Aaron Hickey. The player will miss most of this season after undergoing new tendon repair surgery following a setback in training last week. This is brutal news for the Scottish international who really looked special until injury cut last campaign short.
The other obvious absentee is Ivan Toney. Thomas used Thursday’s press conference to confirm the player won’t feature as the links with Chelsea and Saudi club Al-Ahli persist.
This, no surprise to anybody with half an ear on the Colchester post-match where he responded to a gentle probing from BBC Billy Reeves by telling the mellifluous reporter, “Let’s do Ivan first. It’s the same as it was yesterday”. This, before adding ”Now I want to talk about my players today who did a fantastic job” .
Indeed they did. However, one presumes the starting XI on Saturday will revert to the bulk of that which has served Thomas so well. The only change from Liverpool likely being KLP. Despite impressing in that one, a third start in six days will likely be pushing it so I’d expect a return for Kevin Schade.
For Southampton, their own return to the top flight has seen back-to-back 1-0 defeats. The opening day reverse at Newcastle United followed by last Saturday’s loss to Nottingham Forest. Avoiding a third, successive L very much a priority. After that, scoring a goal and then getting point(s) on the board are next in line on the ‘targets’ list.
The Saints have been playing a high possession game with outstanding pass completion figures but, as we all know, it counts for naff all if you can’t put the ball away. With Nathan Collins magnificent at the back for Brentford so far this season, let’s hope for more of the same from him, Ethan Pinnock et al.
This game won’t be easy. Nothing is at this level. The Saints know that victory would see them leapfrog The Bees in the nascent table. That in itself is reason not to under estimate the opposition.
Equally, a win for Brentford would make it six points from a possible nine. A start we’d have bitten the proverbial hand off for if offered it at the beginning of the month.
Regardless of what happens when the transfer window finally shuts on Friday, the one thing we can say for sure is that going forwards, the Bees’ focus will only be on securing that second win of the season.
Bring it on and see you there.
