Brentford head to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon for a game where victory will only increase the pressure on a Burnley side already 10 points adrift of safety.
Brentford head to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon for a game where victory will only increase the pressure on a Burnley side already 10 points adrift of safety. Make that 11 when you factor in the brutal goal difference being experienced by a team who haven’t won in the league since prior to Christmas.
That said, they came awfully close last time out. Leading 2-0 against West Ham at half time, a much sought-after victory seemed well in sight before being hit by Danny Ings’ injury time sucker punch to leave things all square. Another week gone, another step closer to the Championship for a team rapidly running out of games.
On paper, the Clarets seem dead in the water. In practice, Brentford couldn’t have trickier opponents. Anybody expecting this to be a walk in the park needs to recheck and remember what happened when we went to Sheffield United. The Blades are a side so out of form that 2024 has seen them as only the fourth-highest scorers in the league at Bramall Lane – their combined total of 2 in all games being overtaken by visitors Brighton (5), Aston Villa (5) and Arsenal (6). Yet still they managed to get one over the Bees.
This one will be equally hazardous. Vincent Kompany’s team really are knocking back the clichés in the last chance saloon. The only competitive duel they are engaged in being that with Sheffield United as to who goes down first. Even Luton Town in the final drop spot are 7(seven) points clear of the bottom two. Indeed, but for their own snatching of defeat from the jaws of a 3-0 half-time lead at Bournemouth this week it would be even greater a gap. Burnley are now left with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
All of which makes Brentford’s task even trickier than it already would be with the ever-growing injury list. Thomas Frank confirming in his press conference that Christian Norgaard definitely misses out following his injury in the trip to Arsenal last week. You couldn’t make this up although the positive being that Sergio Reguilón should be fit and available (Thomas’s words) after missing out the game against cheating Kai Havertz and co.
Say this quietly but might there even be a return to action for Bryan Mbeumo? He had a phenomenal start to the campaign before seeing that cut short by injury – quelle surprise. After months out, Thomas has confirmed that “He’s very close”. Adding, “I have a decision to make, to maybe involve him in the squad this weekend” after a week on the grass.
The heart hopes he’s ready. The potential of teaming him up with England squad member Ivan Toney one we’re desperate to see. The head screams out “Don’t break him, Thomas”. Our head coach won’t do anything silly, that’s for sure. I’d imagine a very gentle easing in to action will be the best we can hope for.
As for Ivan Toney, his blitzkrieg return to goal-scoring form has seen things tail off in recent fixtures. However, with Gareth Southgate’s endorsement ringing in his ears, could this be the perfect motivator to get him finding the back of the net once more? Anybody doubting his focus following the Brit Awards need remember how good he is. ‘That’ effort in the second half at the Emirates came oh-so close to being goal of the season.
No matter how much we were robbed in that one – and we were – all focus has to be on what is only a tremendous opportunity for the Bees. Albeit one wrapped up in the most slippery of banana skins.
Treading carefully very much the way to go, on paper. In practice, I don’t think that’s ever been Thomas Frank’s style. Every game is there to be won and this one will be approached no differently.
Bring it on.
