There are no words. Well, there are quite a few but it’s unlikely they can be used in a family friendly publication.
A 5-1 defeat for Brentford at Newcastle United on Matchweek 9 was every bit as painful as the scoreline suggests.
We’re here, normally, for the Star Man scores but let’s be categoric that there isn’t one from this game. Nor is there a second, third, fourth or fifth place award. No points for you. Or you. Or you.
Despite two huge turning points in the game, it’s just not possible to defend in such a calamitous style or leave your midfield so exposed and expect to come away with anything. The ongoing absence of Christian Norgaard has never been more obvious than at St. James Park on Saturday.
Let’s be clear, too, that it was Thomas Frank who also got it wrong on this occasion.
His decision to keep Ethan Pinnock on for the full 90 in his first game after months out, when Ben Mee was pulled off with twenty minutes to go, one which seems not only strange but responsible for the two late goals which put this one into the realms of true horror. Even Amanda Staveley’s face seemed frozen in permanent shock – and she was on the home side.
It was 90 minutes that I, that we, endured and which can never be returned.
First things first, Bryan’s opening goal. Brentford started brightly although the cheers that greeted the first goal would eventually turn to groans. A delightful ball from Jensen finding Baptiste who fed Mbeumo under the foot of Toney. Bryan fired at and through the ‘keeper for 1-0 Brentford. Nick Pope in nets committing a cardinal sin in failing to smother it but his blushes were saved by the machinations of VAR. Ivan Toney adjudged to have, well I don’t know what, because he certainly didn’t touch it on the way through. The officials thought otherwise and the scoreline returned to 0-0.
Had it counted, who knows what might have happened. Where the game might have gone.
Instead, it turned into a defensive nightmare. Guimarães grabbing the opener minutes later, from a short corner of all things. A short. Corner. They never work. Normally. This time it did but there was so much space afforded to the unmarked player, even DJ Ian Moose would have scored. Might have scored. That he wasn’t picked up was just unforgivable but with the centre of the box packed tight, Guimarães ghosted into space and took full advantage to head it down and past the fingertips of David Raya.
From one up to one down and then things really hit the skids. Newcastle’s second goal coming as a direct result of a woefully undercooked pass out from Raya. ‘Just hoof it’ being the collective cry from all of us watching on. Instead, it rolled straight to Callum Wilson, who made no mistake in squaring to Jacob Murphy. It was the simplest of tasks to guide the ball into the net from yards out. 2-0 and Brentford desperate.
The second half brought respite. Brought hope. Whatever Thomas said at half-time working wonders. There was desire and drive. The Bees pushing up until a penalty was awarded. Ivan Toney – who else? – keeping up his fine record from the spot. Get in !!! 35 minutes to go and the deficit halved. Could we turn it around? Could this be the start of things to come? Errrr. No.
If the VAR decision had been the first moment of psychological heart break, Guimarães then getting Newcastle’s third just two minutes later was the ultimate sucker punch. It was a blow made worse by the amount of room again given to the player as he ran through the middle unchallenged. After you, Claude. Mee and Ajer both had chances to step in but they stood off until he picked his spot from outside the box and fired it home. Low and true. 3-1 and the stuffing knocked out of our come back in less than 100 seconds.
The only possible thought being that there was still time to try and salvage something. In theory. Sadly, the Bees were unable to make headway and with Mee subbed in an effort to go more attack minded, the defensive nightmares only got worse.
Raya and Pinnock conspiring to share another under-hit pass out and an even more under-hit return to the ‘keeper. Miguel Almiron was quickest to react, grabbed the ball and made no mistake. It was hard to watch. What either player was thinking I have no idea. Again, the option not to just thwack it upfield was ignored and one which yielded an inevitable conclusion.
The final goal then coming as Pinnock turned Joelinton’s cross past David Raya. 5-1 to Newcastle and there it stayed. The home fans ecstatic. The visitors left with that long trek back. That awful journey to come. Enough about the walk back down to ground level from the top of the away stand, though.
We wrote at the start that there would be no star man award. No points for anyone. No progress made in the season long challenge to find our top performer.
A few flashes from Bryan Mbeumo. Mathias Jensen manfully trying to hold back the tide like some modern-day King Canute. Ivan Toney’s nerves of steel from the spot. These flashes aren’t enough to warrant any form of match-long recognition. Any form of game changing effort. Not when the overall squad effort was littered with decision making as cataclysmic as Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget. At least he got the chance to reverse it.
For Thomas Frank and Brentford, that’s an opportunity not available. At least, until Brighton come to visit on Friday night. As one wag put it on the way home, hopefully we can fairly wipe that chips and waffle eating grin of Trossard’s face.
Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 9)
1st – Ben Mee (21 points)
2nd – Ivan Toney (19 points)
T3rd – Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, David Raya (11 points)
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2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings after Matchweek 9 by Nick Bruzon
