Nick Bruzon looks ahead to Brentford’s Premier League opener against Tottenham.
Sunday cannot come soon enough. The Premier League is finally back with Brentford hosting Spurs in a game that kicks off a third successive top-flight campaign for the Bees. The previous two have seen expectations not so much defied as thrown out the window. So-called ‘second season syndrome’ proven to be nothing more than the tired cliché it is. Instead, Thomas Frank and his side can consider themselves hard done by in missing out European qualification by the narrowest of margins
The @premierleague opening weekend is here! 😍 pic.twitter.com/FHSGki8bLM
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 11, 2023
Whether that proves to be a blessing in disguise is now nothing more than conjecture. Conversational dead air that helped fill the summer. We can reflect upon how we completed a league double over Manchester City and stopped Erling Haaland from scoring (everyone else did that, yes?). Whipped the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. Played Spurs out of their own backyard as Bryan Mbeumo sent the travelling Brentford fans wild back in May. All wonderful stuff but now the focus has to be on the task ahead.
Brentford will, of course, be missing two of our bug guns in Ivan Toney and David Raya. The former absence is one long known about and let’s not forget that three of the aforementioned victories were achieved without our star striker. A player who will be back in a few months. In nets, David Raya’s move had been well expected with his home now at Arsenal and Mark Flekken brought in early.
Of the rest, Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard remain the beating heart of the midfield. The question of what Kevin Schade’s pace can deliver is one which has us all bristling with anticipation. Our dynamic duo in central defence, Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock, are now supported by big-money signing Nathan Collins. Keane Lewis-Potter looked sharp in pre-season whilst the ever-popular Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo will look to supply the goals. As for Rico Henry, he’ll keep on demonstrating why he should be picked for England. Gareth Southgate will likely keep on demonstrating his aversion to our man.
For the visitors, it’s all change. Daniel Levy has yet another new manager – Ange Postecoglou following on from recent incumbents Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason (x2). The situation with Harry Kane remains as vague as ever with Bayern Munich currently courting the free-scoring frontman. Levy’s inability to tie down the England captain or secure David Raya were their main failings over the summer.
🎙️ James Maddison on Harry Kane:
— SpursOTM (@SpurOTM) August 3, 2023
“I would love Harry Kane to stay, he's the best No9 in the world in my opinion. But what will be will be and Harry is super professional.” pic.twitter.com/1CmzQdCCrl
On the plus side, they have secured the services of the ever-popular pantomime villain James Maddison. A player to rank alongside Kurt Zouma and Cristiano Ronaldo in uniting opposition fans yet one whom we’d all, I am sure, love in our own set-up. Even if the much-threatened refereeing clampdown on time-wasting does serve to nullify one of his most potent weapons, Maddison will still be their absolute danger man. If not, then don’t be surprised if we see Dirty Dan serving Ange the divorce papers by Christmas.
Until then, here’s to Sunday afternoon, to Brentford – Tottenham and what could be a most wonderful season. Bring it on and see you there.
