Nick reveals the best 5 Bees from their Matchweek 20 draw at Leeds and his updated points tallies which show the top 5 Brentford players over the season to date.

We’d all have taken a point and a clean sheet if offered it in advance, yes?

A 0-0 draw at Elland Road, one that will be recorded as a game of football that took place between Leeds United and Brentford.

Perhaps not as attack heavy as in recent performances but a Sunday afternoon kick off, long journey and hostile environment are never the best for setting the scene.

Likewise, it was a reminder that football is a game as much centred on keeping the goals out as banging them in. With our hosts having the majority of the chances, the return to our now familiar back five set up couldn’t have come soon enough.

In a move that shocked nobody, it was Leeds who started off on the front foot. Jesse Marsch instructing his team to ‘go for it’ from the off. A philosophy very much replicated in the second half where waves of pressure were soaked up by the Bees back five.

Possession unable to be translated in to an equivalent amount of goal bound efforts and, when it was, David Raya was on hand to keep things level. A series of fine stops in the opening twenty minutes of the second half rounding off another assured performance in nets from our number.

For all that David kept us in the game (on those occasions where Leeds were somehow able to wriggle through our resolute back five), it was Ivan Toney who bookended the afternoon with potential match winning moments. An ingenious effort from distance in the opening minute and then, perhaps, left feeling he may have done more with Rico’s cross as the game entered the final few seconds.

The former would have been a contender for goal of the season had it gone in. Toney shooting from wide out after spotting after goalkeeper Illan Meslier off his line. The later, one that on another day might have seen the net rippling and our man wheeling away to celebrate in front of the travelling faithful.

Alas, not. On this occasion. They were chances that summed up our afternoon. Few and far between but, at the same time, another point to be proud of.

The Bees up to eighth in the table and only three points behind fifth placed Tottenham. The Champions League places above them just about in sight and, whilst that may sound like some sort of improbable dream, who knows what reaching any level of European football may have in persuading David Raya he’d like to sign a new contract?

Brentford are eight games unbeaten and should that sequence continue, then the only way is up. A whole host of former European Cup / Champions League winners are already sitting below us. Teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. See also: Leeds United who reached the final once. Apparently. If only they’d mentioned it.

Still, history counts for nothing. Reputations less so. For Brentford, a well earned point in on of football’s bleakest environments. For the travelling supporter, that is. A place where the crowd really is the twelfth player. Or, in this case, the thirteenth, given referee Peter Bankes seemed to have more touches than most of the home defence.

This, something recognised by Thomas at full-time. At least, in regards to the atmosphere where he would draw parallels to this season’s games at Aston Villa and Newcastle. “Difficult away grounds, very noisy. I think we handled it much better.”

In short – tough conditions but a well earned point that, in retrospect, we should be well happy with.

So rather than overly labour time on a game that the history books will show was one which took place, let’s look at our own team. The season long quest to find our overall top performer aswell as the game by game top five. This time around, we have a few contenders but for star player is…

Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 20 (vs Bournemouth)

1st (Star Player: 5 points) – David Raya
It is impossible to put a price on a world class goalkeeper. They are the rarest of commodities. That last line of defence. The sort of player who, unlike their outfield counterparts, you can’t really give ten minutes off the bench here and there to acclimatise to a new set up. Once settled in, as David is, moving on can only come at a very high price (or a contract ending).

Sunday at Elland Road was one of those where David showed all of this by the bucketload. The second half especially where Leeds really decided this game was theirs for the taking. Yet there was Raya to deny Aaronson and Rodrigo. Koch and Gnonto. Whatever Leeds threw at him was gratefully swallowed up of pushed away with acrobatic finesse. When it wasn’t a clear cut save, there was also the speed off his line to ensure any ball through or over the centre backs could be calmly played clear.

A late flap by his injury replacement in the corresponding fixture last season had arguably cost us all three points. This time around, that solitary point was received with infinitely more satisfaction and again showed just how valuable he is to our team.

2nd (4 points) – Ethan Pinnock
It’s funny, looking back, how the ‘experts’ on the terrace would so berate the three centre back formation when it first came in. Now, we wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s in part down to those filling the berths. The pairing of Ethan and Ben in in particular, one to really set any anxious hearts at ease.

Ethan was unbeatable, again. One second-half slip aside, he didn’t put a foot wrong. Even then, he had David Raya to help him out – but that’s what team mates do.

A stonking block in the 50th minute was one of many clearances over the course of the afternoon yet it really was pivotal in breaking Leeds. It was an interception that came at the start of their spell of pressure and, perhaps, made them realise that this wasn’t going to be a stroll in the park.

Might even have scored / turned provider when taking up his customary deep position from corners. Did wonderfully to return it into the box from the far touchline via the top of the crossbar. Alas, the official did what officials do and ruled the ball dead.

3rd (3 points) – Rico Henry
On an afternoon where chances for Brentford were at an absolute premium, it was Rico who made the best of them.

The aforementioned cross for Ivan late on could have had us in dreamland whilst the opening period saw Mads Roerslev and Ivan combining to set him free in space.

A snap shot might have been better but, unselfishly, Rico looked to roll it across the face of the box for the simplest of tap ins. At least, it should have been the simplest of tap ins but with two defenders to beat, his pass was picked up by the second man, Koch, who whipped it clear from the waiting Toney.

Set up Jensen early in the first for another run on goal and, indeed, the pair fed off each other beautifully in an attempt to take the ball to our opponents.

Let’s not forget his defending, either. Something which seems to come further down the pecking order of priorities each game. The wing back role really suiting Rico and as much allowing him to clear the ball through his own electric pace. Oh, to see him and Kevin Schade running together.

4th (2 points) – Mathias Jensen
Not even the most glass-half full of Bees supporters could have failed to recognise we found this one tough going. Trying to break through a team desperate to avoid being plunged deeper into their relegation battle will do that to you.

Attacking moments were at their premium yet, when Brentford were able to break. When Brentford did look to boss the midfield. When there was the rare shot at goal, there was one player at the heart of it all. Matthias Jensen.

Whilst it was an afternoon where the defence will take the plaudits, our own Great Dane showed why he has just had his his contract extended.

Indeed, one effort from distance midway through the opening period deserved way better than finding Koch’s head and deflecting clear rather than to the back of the net where it had seemed to be heading

5th (1 point) – Ben Mee
On an afternoon where the back five dominated proceedings for Brentford, who else but Ben Mee to take the final place?

Like Ethan, he exudes a confidence that permeates through the team. It was another of those where despite the pressure and the atmosphere, cool heads would still prove to be the most decisive factor in determining the result. Huffing, puffing and trying to blow the house down are no match against a centre back who has been there and done it all.

Much as we’d all have loved to see Leeds United go down at the end of last season, perhaps their survival and Burnley’s demise was the better combination of longer term results. Ben Mee’s contract running out at the same time has been very much an opportunity taken advantage of by the Brentford recruitment team. The way he has fitted in is perhaps better than anybody could have honestly envisaged.

This was yet another of those games where Ben felt as solid and long standing a fixture as David or Rico.

Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 20)

All of which means that as we prepare to take an FA Cup related break next weekend, the main change in the top five sees David Raya leapfrog Rico Henry. Ivan Toney and Ben Mee continue to slug it out at the top with Mathias Jensen in fifth.

1st – Ivan Toney (36 points)
2nd – Ben Mee (35 points)
3rd – David Raya (31 points)
4th – Rico Henry (30 points)
5th – Mathias Jensen (28 points)

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2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 20 by Nick Bruzon