Brentford are back in front of home support this Saturday after successive Premier League away games have seen them open the scoring in little more than twenty seconds but still end up with nothing to show for their troubles.
Reverses at Manchester City (2-1) and Spurs (3-1) have been even harder to take, given the way that the Bees played for significant spells of both games. On another day, victories would have followed but ultimately it was all about taking chances when they presented themselves.
For Brentford, a home game against an out-of-form team is as much as one could have asked for. We all know about the injury crisis up top (with Wissa and Thiago both out until November and December respectively) but Thomas Frank will still have been pleased about the chances created at Tottenham last weekend.
Spurs goalkeeper Vicario had to be at the top of his game to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade in particular. In addition, we all know what happened, or rather didn’t, when the ‘keeper clearly handled outside the box in a bid to break up another Brentford attack.
It just had the feel of that sort of afternoon – no matter how well The Bees played in patches, something was always going to go against us.
Yet if anything, it was the absence of Christian Norgaard rather than a referee or striker that was more telling for The Bees. Thomas Frank explained his absence last weekend, noting at the time that: “It is a minor injury. It was just too tight to make it today.” Albeit going on to say he was confident the player would return for the visit of West Ham.
Brentford supporters will be hoping so. Spurs won the battle for the central third of the pitch. Breaking with apparent ease and at times cutting through the midfield as though it wasn’t there. Norgaard was sorely missed and his return will be one very much welcomed. All ears will be on Friday’s press conference to see if there is news of the skipper’s health.
Thomas’ choice of starting XI will likely see four at the back with Bryan Mbeumo, Fabio Carvalho and Kevin Schade up top – Sepp van den Berg to miss out in that scenario. Should Norgaard remain unavailable the manager may switch to three centrebacks (starting with either Schade or Carvalho) but I suspect that regardless of the captain’s presence, this game will be seen as one where a more attacking start will be the order of the day.
Whichever way Thomas goes, Keane Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard are the players who have really started to stick their heads above the parapet this season. The former in particular, where his continuation in the left wing-back role for which he was fourth choice last season, brings particular pleasure.
Damsgaard had big boots to fill following Christian Eriksen’s decision to head for Manchester United (how is that working out?) and whilst he has done that in patches, this campaign is finally seeing some quite wonderful consistency.
For West Ham, life in the post-David Moyes era has not seen the smoothest of starts.
They were trashed 5-1 in the midweek EFL cup tie at Liverpool. A game which ended so badly for them that Edson Álvarez was sent off for a second yellow card whilst manager Julen Lopetegui suffered a calf injury after stamping the ground in exasperation. Then again, his team having lost 4 of their 7(seven) games since he took charge, that’s no surprise. The Hammers’ sole Premier League victory being a win on the road at Crystal Palace.
Álvarez will now be suspended for this game whilst also missing, although through choice, is Kurt Zouma. He’s joined the exodus of those counting the money out in Saudi Arabia.
Whilst players move on all the time (see also: Said Benrahma) this one does feel as though it will leave the game lacking something. Namely, the usual cacophony of meows and cat calls that have typified recent visits from West Ham.
Oh well, we’ll just have to get our kicks some other way. Preferably by Brentford maintaining what has so far been a 100% record at home.
Here’s to Saturday and time for the Hammers to fall. Bring it on and see you there.
