Saturday afternoon sees a coming together between two sides whose previous results couldn’t have been further apart, as Brentford play host to giant-slaying Bournemouth
On Monday night Brentford supporters were put through the emotional wringer after watching the team conspire to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Craven Cottage. Vitaly Janelt’s 24th-minute wonder-goal seeing the lead held all the way until time added on. Then a brace from Harry Wilson (the second in the seventh minute of the additional six) inflicted the most brutal of losses on the Bees.
For Bournemouth, hanging on to the lead was not an issue. They went two up at home to Manchester City on Saturday, eventually taking all three points despite Josko Gvardiol’s 82nd-minute goal and then Erling Haaland coming oh-so close at the death for the visitors. A fine win against the Champions and the opportunity to see if they can achieve the double now awaits later in the season (we’ve all done that before, yes?).
In truth, Bournemouth are very much on form. The previous games have seen fighting spirit to match Fulham’s as they waited until the 96th minute to secure a point at Aston Villa. Evanilson – who got the second against City – playing the role of party pooper at Villa Park.
Then in the game prior, they enjoyed a very nice kickabout when beating Arsenal 2-0 at home. That, the only game in which they have kept a clean sheet this season and perhaps something to bring a smile back to Brentford faces after Monday night’s heartbreak.
One thing the Bees can do is score Premier League goals at home. Last time out at the Gtech Ipswich Town ended up shipping four including Bryan Mbeumo’s injury-time winner.
In the previous game, Wolves had five hit past them with Fabio Carvalho rounding things off late on. Indeed, the record at the Gtech has only seen points dropped once this season – the 1-1 draw with West Ham that came during our ‘score first goal in under 90 seconds’ phase.
The reaction following Monday night will surely be huge. It wasn’t so much that Brentford lost (that happens) but the nature of how it all unfolded has the fans smarting. Nobody likes losing in their neighbours’ back yard – let alone like this.
There are those who think, likewise, that the late, late tinkering with the team upset the balance – especially in defence. That there was further undue pressure added by depriving an experienced attacking outlet with Wissa and then Bryan back on the bench.
Perhaps there is an element of truth in this but these opinions are so much easier to form after the event has played out. It’s very easy to be an expert from the comfort of the keyboard but the simple fact is that things don’t always work out as we’d like – that’s just how football goes sometimes. For me Clive, Thomas Frank has way too much credit in the bank to do anything but deserve trust in his tactics.
Besides, it could still have gone the other way had Fabio Carvalho and Kevin Schade been able to convert that wonderful opportunity in front of the away fans at 1-1. If it had, we’d all be telling tales of an incredible victory on a night that Brentford had been on the back foot for most of the game.
Ifs. Buts. Maybes. Brentford this season have looked too strong to let setbacks, no matter how frustrating, derail what is happening. Instead, it’s a case of all coming together on Saturday.
Thomas Frank has always been a strong advocate of dwelling on the result for no more than 24 hours then only looking forward. This will be the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that approach.
Instead, all eyes will now be looking at Bournemouth. With The Bees boasting that fine home record and The Cherries more than holding their own against anyone that’s any good, this game has all the makings of a classic. Moreover, given that both teams have been struggling with clean sheets this season, they only have one between them in the twenty Premier League fixtures played.
Team news is currently thin on the ground although that’s mainly given the lack of any apparent injury during the game at Fulham. The early scare to Mark Flekken as much as any concern although he still played through to the end. Unless Kris Ajer is fit, the team will be the same as before – albeit Friday’s press conferences may reveal unexpected news.
Whoever starts, the end result on Saturday is the only thing that counts. Another Gtech win – perhaps without conceding three home goals this time around – would be just the tonic.
Bring it on and see you there.
