Wednesday night’s trip to Tottenham sees Brentford as close to ‘normal’ as Thomas Frank’s team have been in what feels like an eternity. Nick Bruzon previews.
The absentee list continues to shrink with Ivan Toney the latest high-profile name to return. His performance against Nottingham Forest last time out showed just how badly he was missed at the front end of the season.
Whilst his goal and the manner of Forest’s subsequent bleating (surely something designed as much to cover up their own woeful attempts to defend his free kick) dominated headlines, it was as much Ivan’s all-round performance that brought joy to Bees’ supporters. He was the star player by a country mile as the surprising selection of the magnificent Neal Maupay alongside him reaped immediate dividends.
Expect the pair of them to start this one again with the team further boosted by the return of Christian Norgaard. The skipper slotting back into the midfield with Mikkel Damsgaard returning to the bench is the likely change. Albeit there is still the option to ping Vitaly Janelt back to that perennial challenge in the left-back position.
Ironically, having moved to resolve the situation with the acquisition of loan signing Sergio Reguilón, the Spaniard is unable to play against his parent club. Thankfully, the last time this campaign we’ll be in this position.
The only other question mark remains over the position in goal. I’m sure Mark Flekken will begin this one but the signing of Icelandic shot-stopper Hakon Valdimarsson from Elfsborg is definitely a move to show our future direction. Presumably, a place on the bench awaits.
The other transfer story doing the rounds remains that of £37million-rated teenage wunderkind Antonio Nusa from Club Brugge. Should the Bees pull this one off it’ll set pulses racing. Nowhere moreso than in North London where Spurs have, reportedly, been beaten to this marquee signature. More to come in due course.
Ah yes, Spurs. Let’s not forget about them in all of this.
On the plus side, talismanic goalscorer Son Heung-min is the highest profile name of several still away on international duty. However, with the top four and, potentially, the title itself in their sights this one is going to be one of the toughest tests of the campaign.
Moreso with Tottenham able to call on the returning James Maddison and referee David Coote. Ah, who could forget his ‘performance’ when The Bees hosted Aston Villa in December?
With more pantomime villains on show than a meeting of the Captain Hook fan club, we’re as likely to hear the word ‘shi*thousery’ as anything else. Something that always adds to the atmosphere and intensity. Perhaps Mr. Coote might even remember to show the right cards at the right moments this time around?
Regardless of the man in the middle or whoever starts for the hosts, Ange Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. His brand of high tempo, high pushing football is still sure to pose many, many questions of the Brentford defence.
With morale through the roof at TW8, the Bees are more likely to take this game to their opponents than sit back. Moreso, with last season’s magnificent win on the road still strong in the memory. The sight of Daniel Levy being given a consolatory pat on the knee as Bryan Mbeumo was destroying his team is one that still brings a smile to the face.
Whilst Bryan may be missing this time around, Ivan Toney is back. This one could be huge and I cannot wait. See you there.
