Brentford host Brighton this Saturday afternoon with both teams having plenty to play for.
Whilst Thomas Frank has always been adamant that the previous result gets boxed off soon after, regardless of outcome, one can’t help but imagine The Bees will still be riding high following the recent game at Arsenal. The 1-1 draw all but ending The Gunners’ mathematical chances of winning the title and they’ll now have to be content with losing to PSG in the Champions’ League semis and then battling Newcastle for second place.
Whatever approach Mikel Arteta chose against The Bees, that’s on him. Brentford matched their opponents all the way in a game that will be long-remembered for a breathtaking appearance from Michael Kayode off the bench for The Bees.
The right-back doing it at both ends of the field. First in providing the key assist for Wissa’s equaliser and then in denying Bukayo Saka what should surely have been their lead restored late on. By all rights he had no chance following an uncharacteristic faux-pas from Mark Flekken yet somehow was able to make up the ground and win the ball with the net beckoning.
Which means there is a huge decision for Thomas Frank to make. Stick with Kris Ajer or hand Kayode what would be a deserved first start for The Bees.
It would be hard on Ajer who did nothing intrinsically wrong. Far from it, he had a strong game at The Emirates. Yet Kayode had everybody talking and the fans will be kicking their lips at the prospect of seeing more.
Decisions. Decisions. Who’d be a manager? Sorry, head coach. Whilst the rest of the team is now well settled and names itself (injury aside) this will be a big call to make. Emotion and potential or consistency and familiarity?
Personally speaking, I’d go with Kayode. A rampaging wildebeest, chasing seagulls up and down the flank. Then again, I’m not the one that makes the big calls. Whomever Thomas picks, expect both players to get a look in at various points in the afternoon.
The Bees will be looking for all three points to secure a top ten position, albeit European aspirations are perhaps now as optimistic as Arsenal’s title hopes. As for Brighton, they sit one place above Brentford and will still be harbouring thoughts of an overseas campaign next season.
Form has been inconsistent in recent weeks. To the extent that even Leicester City scored (not a typo) last time out when holding on for a 2-2 draw at the Amex. Not the first time this has happened either – Brighton conceding two rather than Leicester City scoring (something akin to a modern-day miracle) – with the South Coast side doing it in their last four Premier League games. Indeed, prior to that you are going back over a month until their previous win in any competition – at home to Fulham in early March.
Yet such have been their longer-term results that the Seagulls are still following the trawler heading towards Europe. Going in to this one, sixth placed Chelsea are only two wins ahead of them. All the stats in the world about their current win ratios or dropping twenty points this season from winning positions will be deemed irrelevant if they can do the business at the weekend.
There will be all ears on the Friday press conferences when any last-minute sardines are tossed to the press. Yet whatever Thomas or opposite number Fabian Hürzeler say, this will all come down to what two evenly matched teams do on the day. It may be a well-worn trope but it’s also a fact.
In short, whomever wants it more will take the points.
Tim Robinson is our man in the middle with the EFL’s James Bell joining us on VAR. With semi-automated offside also now in play, there will perhaps be more interest than usual in how the officials conduct business.
Let’s hope it’s the football we are talking about at full-time. That, and three more points for Brentford.
Bring it on and see you there.
