Brentford head to the South Coast on Saturday afternoon with a wonderful chance to improve on their current fifth place in the Premier League.
A statement made with absolutely no disrespect whatsoever towards opponents Bournemouth.
Rather, indicative of the fact that Chelsea and Hull City, the two teams immediately above them in the table, kick-off in their own race for the top spot (who would have thought we’d be using any of these words when the season began?) at the same time.
Something has to give at Stamford Bridge, with the big question being whether The Bees can take advantage?
One would think this prospect has barely even registered with Keith Andrews. He’ll have used training to focus purely and simply on the best way to try and beat Bournemouth.
Whether taking the reins or simply acting as a facilitator to let the players put everything in, an approach he talked about last week. Anything outside of the game itself an irrelevance, no matter how intriguing the potential for movement in the table remains for supporters.
Yet opportunity it is. The Bees have been electric so far this season. Unbeaten in all competitions, with only the first forty-five minutes against Sunderland last time out to serve as a reminder that we can’t just turn up and expect to have it all our way.
A well-disciplined, defensive side will provide challenges of their own. As will a referee set to random. All being well, it is a while before we cross paths with Mr Bramall again. Thankfully, we have Jarred Gillett to look forward to this time around.
Keith is due to meet the press on Friday to tell them he’s really, really proud of his squad, their character and their spirit whilst noting Bournemouth’s impressive achievements last season. He may give praise to our supporters, not to mention, of course, lining up against a new manager in Marco Rose. Nothing of any actual substance, though.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – keeping his cards close to his chest is the way it should be. Reveal nothing. Never show your hand early. Banal nothings and filling the room with hot air the order of the day. Even if it does mean fans are left searching for news and wondering how accurate any injury updates may actually be.
This is something more of an issue for Saturday given Mathias Jensen has missed the last two games whilst captain Nathan Collins was forced off after just seventeen minutes against Sunderland.
With Mikkel Damsgaard and Jannik Schuster nailed-on deputies (the later having a cracking introduction from the bench), there’s no need to hurry anybody back. The Bees are blessed with probably their deepest ever squad at this level, so why run the risk of exacerbating injury when you can rotate rather than rush?
There’s also the luxury of El Hadji Malick Diouf chomping at the bit for a first run-out since signing from West Ham. Keith would seem to be dining at the football equivalent of an all you can eat buffet. Nothing but choice, choice, choice wherever he looks.
For what it’s worth, I suspect the line-up almost names itself, even if the bench could see any number of names. Diouf likely having to wait until next week’s cup trip to Reading for a first start.
Igor Thiago is undroppable, of course, but he’ll be itching to get back on the scoresheet. Keith’s team may be firing them in from all angles, but getting his main provider to do the business will be a genuine test of his coaching skills. How does he help last season’s golden boot runner-up rediscover that Midas touch in front of goal?
It was always going to be a tough act to follow, but with the Brazilian yet to hit the net in the league this time around, one can only imagine to what heights it will propel Brentford once he gets back on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Aaron Hickey in particular may feel they are in with a shout, but in all likelihood the only possible toss-up that I can see coming may be between Jaidon Anthony and Dango Ouattara. However, with the later having the extra incentive of impressing against his former team, we’re likely to go:
Caoimhín Kelleher; Michael Kayode, Kris Ajer, Jannik Schuster, Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt, Mamadou Sangaré, Mikkel Damsgaard, Dango Ouattara, Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade
As for Bournemouth, even now they must be wondering how the same fixture ended 0-0 last season.
It really was as one-sided as they come, with The Bees using up all their lucky rabbits’ feet, horseshoes and four-leafed clovers in one hit. Keith probably thinking we were lucky to get nil (to coin a phrase), whilst then Cherries’ boss Andoni Iraola was left bemused by his team somehow failing to hit a brewery with a banjo.
Iraola has since moved on to Anfield, but Bournemouth are still looking to play the sort of in-your-face, high-pressure football that saw them reach Europe. A tough set of opening fixtures – on paper – has seen swathes of great football but somehow just two points earned.
They started with defeat at Manchester City in a game they led for the majority, a draw with Everton and then another at Newcastle United last Saturday. As at The Etihad, that one seeing them coming undone by late goals. Marc Guéhi (84′) and Josko Gvardiol (90’+1) turning 0-1 into 2-1 at The Etihad. Jacob Ramsey (88) restoring parity at St. James’ Park.
With The Bees also conceding late equalisers in their last two league games, this one really will be a battle of which defence can hold firm at the death. All being well, Brentford have put it well out of sight long before then.
If they are to do it, it will be against a similar side to that which we’ve already seen in action. Rose spoke to the media on Thursday, confirming no new injuries and nobody from those currently on the missing list coming back in time for the weekend.
As such, we can take an educated guess at their kick-off:
Đorđe Petrovic, Adam Smith, James Hill, António Silva, Adrien Truffert, Tyler Adams, Alex Scott, Rayan, Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, Evanilson
For all that it is fun to try and predict these things, the only names we can guarantee are those of the officials. All being well, they can just let the game flow, but if any help is needed from the men in the middle, it’ll come from:
Referee: Jarred Gillett.
Assistants: Neil Davies, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Tom Reeves.
VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton.
This has all the hallmarks of a scintillating game. Two progressive clubs for whom League Two remains a recent memory, continuing to push higher and higher. Continuing to upset the established order and show two fingers to the pundits. Continuing to play exciting football.
What finer location than a trip to the coast in the late summer sunshine. The Bees gunning for even bigger and better. The Cherries desperate to get a first win on the board after already coming so close more than once.
I supsect it’s going to be a classic. Bring it on, safe travels, and see you there.
