Nick Bruzon picks out the best Bees from their Matchweek 8 draw against Bournemouth and we see the updated top 5 players over the season so far.
Let’s look positive. A 0-0 at Bournemouth on saw another point won on the road for a Brentford team who find themselves sitting 10th in the Premier League after eight games.
A trip to The Vitality stadium (Dean Court) on Saturday represented a chance for many fans to complete that rare full house of having seen these two sides play each other in all of the top four divisions. Sadly, this one felt as though for huge swathes of the game it was being played in League Two rather than the top flight.
It really was the archetypal game of huff, puff and few chances. The VAR monitor could make as much of a claim for being the star man in this one – certainly given the frequency with which referee Mr. Bramall went to visit it.
One challenge from Kris Ajer on Jordan Zemura seemingly being as nailed on a penalty as one would expect to be given, on first glance. Yet for once it was this much maligned system which came to Brentford’s aid with the eventual conclusion drawn being one of magnificent timing from the Bee’s right back. Move along, nothing to see here. See also: Mathias Jansen whose last kick of the game saw the ball strike him on the arm but, again, the decision went the way of Brentford.
It was as close as Bournemouth would get all afternoon and no suprise they’ve only scored in front of their own fans twice all season.
For Brentford, perhaps an opportunity to take advantage and with a return to two centre backs after the Arsenal game it seemed Thomas Frank thought similar.
Mikkel Damsgaard got a start. As did Shandon Baptiste. The biggest change being Aaron Hickey rested for this one – albeit coming off the bench in now traditional 60th minute subs slot.
Perhaps it was as much his international exertions, where he represented Scotland twice during the break, as much as Thomas trying to keep things fresh but his attacking presence was very much missed.
One could say similar about Bryan Mbeumo who did start but seemed very much out of sorts compared to normal. Again, his first two games for Cameroon were amongst the highlights of the last fortnight. Perhaps in retrospect Gareth Southgate did us a back handed favour with his still bizarre decision to call up Ivan Toney and then deny him any game time. First World problems.
That we are even talking about Brentford having so many players on international duty and in line for the World Cup is incredible. As recently as 2009 we were playing Bournemouth in League Two. How times have changed. For both of us.
Perhaps it was the double disruption caused by the International break and, before that, football showing a mark of respect not followed by other in sports when cancelling fixtures after the news of the Queen’s death had been announced, that account for a laboured afternoon.
There really is little to write home about from Matchweek 8. Trying to catch up again on Sunday morning, in case anything had somehow been missed the afternoon before, even Sky Sports have taped over their own half hour highlights package of our game with Crystal Palace vs Chelsea. Which pretty much tells you all you need to know about an afternoon of few chances, little excitement and a lot of VAR induced angst.
How do you pick a star man from a game that felt quieter than a sleepover in a monastery? Well, very easily…
Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 8 (vs Bournemouth)
1st (Star Man) – Ben Mee
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. The absolute free transfer signing of the season.
Maybe it’s the shock of bright, blond hair that makes him stand out. That naturally draws the eye to him. Perhaps it’s just sheer talent. Whatever the explanation, he was at the centre of everything whenever Bournemouth threatened forwards.
Very much a case of none shall pass with the home fans seeing any chance of their meagre haul being added to snuffed out at every opportunity.
2nd – Mikkel Damsgaard
A first full start, following his positive appearance from the bench against Arsenal. One player for whom a pair of recent International appearances and a return to fitness have only inspired.
The excitement seen and potential offered when he joined in the summer window very much coming to fruition. He had the best of the few early chances with one shot from distance heading goalwards before Murara Neto palmed it wide. Then, a delightful second ball back into the box fell straight onto Ajer’s head but the big man couldn’t quite steer it home.
In a game of few openings he was central to those that were created and offered a tantalising look ahead and what may come for this team
3rd – Rico Henry
Storming up the left once gain. Whilst Hickey was conspicuous by his absence on the right, Rico continued his own fine form on the opposite flank.
If Ivan’s aforementioned lack of England game time was a mystery, then one could consider the non-selection of Rico an equally confusing head-scratcher. With the national team struggling in that position, he again showed why his should have been the name in the frame – and still may.
One second-half challenge on Marcus Tavernier, with the Bournemouth man clean through, saw the cleanest of connections to disrupt the flow, deny a goal and demonstrate that he can tackle as well as run at the opposition. The pace alone to catch his man had to be seen to be believed.
4th – Mathias Jensen
The most undervalued and under the radar of the entire Brentford squad.
Outside of TW8, you’d be doing well to pick up on his name. Then the game starts and he’s at the centre of everything. Saturday was another of those – the ball coming to and going through hm time and again as the Bees looked to build.
That he stayed on for the full 90, with Thomas rotating half of the outfield, shows as much as anything else how vital he was. That one heart in mouth moment at the end aside, he was as fluid and consistent as he’s ever been.
5th – Ivan Toney
On a day of few opportunities, Ivan showed his value to this team at both ends of the pitch.
Again, the additional value he can bring at times to defend set pieces came to the fore. He was the right man in the right place to calmly head Jefferson Lerma’s goalbound effort over the bar with David Raya, and the rest of the defence, beaten.
At the other end, he almost broke the deadlock as he caught Josh Dasilva’s ball over the top but fired just over. Like Damsgaard’s early effort, it was one of very few real chances and, on another day, may well have found the back of the net.
Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 8)
All of which means we have a new name at the top. Ben Mee with a second successive star man award nudges just ahead of Ivan Toney. Third placed Rico Henry joins fellow full back Aaron Hickey and goalkeeper David Raya in a tie for third, whilst there are a whole host of players jostling just below.
1st – Ben Mee (21 points)
2nd – Ivan Toney (19 points)
T3rd – Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, David Raya (11 points)
Next up is the trip to Newcastle United where, I am sure, Ivan Toney will have more than a few points to prove…
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2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 8 by Nick Bruzon
