Brentford go in to the final two games of the season, starting with Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace, knowing they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
A campaign that began shrouded in doom, gloom, and most pundits predicting a return to the Championship has ended with rookie Head Coach Keith Andrews being nominated for the Premier League’s manager of the season. Igor Thiago and Michael Kayode are, likewise, on the shortlist for top-flight Player / Young Player of the year, respectively.
Perhaps most importantly, the Bees are still in with a shot at reaching the Champions League.
The gap to sixth-placed Bournemouth is four points, and whilst this may have grown in recent weeks, let’s not forget that The Cherries face title-chasing Manchester City on Tuesday. A win over Crystal Palace and the Bees will not only return to touching distance of European football’s top table but further consolidate the chance of playing in the Europa League or Conference. The latter, where of course, our visitors have reached this season’s final.
The potential of what might be is immense. Beyond most supporters’ wildest dreams. Then again, so was reaching the Premier League. So was winning at Wembley. So was having players called up for England and Brazil. Not to mention having a squad chock full of internationals. Yet we’ve done all of that in recent years. Bucket collections, heartbreak, takeovers, and leaky guttering all things we’ll never forget, but which the club move further away from with every passing day. So sure, why not allow ourselves to dip a toe into the water of one more fantasy scenario?
To be fair, most of us have already been doing just that these last few months. Despite knowing the huge stress it will put on a squad that one could politely call compact. As such, we generally know who will start and who will make the bench. Keith’s recent reticence to use those back-ups is another question for another day. The point is that playing in Europe could leave the Bees running on fumes. We’ve already seen the team hit the wall in recent weeks, with just one win coming in the last eight games and injuries limiting selection.
And? Frankly, like the review of Keith’s first season at the helm, that is something for down the line. For now, it is all about the opportunity that winning these last two fixtures could bring. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. Anybody expecting this one to be a walk in the park can think again.
Despite that forthcoming final (25 May against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig), I don’t expect anybody at the Palace will hold back. I can’t see Oliver Glasner chucking on the minor royals. He’ll want his team fluid and firing rather than wrapped up in cotton wool for a fortnight, albeit expect changes during the game. All five subs were used in their own midweek reverse at Manchester City, and I can only see a repeat. As much to give as many of his players competitive game time. Besides, the Bees aren’t a dirty team. Something that will give him equal encouragement about being able to throw his best XI into battle.
For Keith Andrews, it will be the tried and tested. Even if that has brought about mixed results. Being objective rather than blinkered, I think two wide men have been quieter than one would have hoped in the last month or so. Schade undergoing some form of personal hell that the boss is showing no signs of releasing him from. Dango not quite living up to what was a formidable price tag. Albeit he has had his moments, and like season one Jensen/Damsgaard, it looks like there is one hell of a player waiting to burst forth. How Keith nurtures and develops that talent will be very interesting to watch next season.
Igor Thiago has found himself doing as much work out wide as he has done in the heart of the danger zone. He’s only scored twice from open play since March, although remains deadly from the penalty spot. With an average of 10.6 shots per game, of which 3.9 are on target, it is the lowest Brentford have achieved in five seasons at this level, with only 2022-23 seeing fewer goals scored (48 compared to the current 52 and last campaign’s 66). A stat that could be booted into touch once this and the trip to Liverpool play out.
That’s not meant as a criticism, but perhaps more indicative of the Bees’ style of play. Let’s not forget that the flip side to all of this is that limiting our opponents to an average of 12.9 shots per game (4.2 on target) is the best that Brentford have managed in the same five campaigns. Defence and patient build up very much seen as the best form of attack. Albeit interposed with the occasional lightning-quick thrust.
Yarmo and Damsgaard’s ball play through the middle has been phenomenal in recent weeks. Add Jordan Henderson back into that mix, and we have the potential to release Thiago once more. For a big man, his turn of speed is immense, and the potential to spring the offside trap is a glorious one. Just as long as our opponents don’t sit too deep
Keith isn’t completely afraid to make changes, as we saw last weekend. The signs before kick-off at Manchester City were positive, and then fooled everybody once the game started. What looked on paper like a 4-3-3 turned into a 4-4-2, and whilst I can see why Kris Ajer was picked, it seemed an odd time to conduct an experiment in formation. Moreso when it involved playing the wonderful Aaron Hickey out of position as an additional midfielder despite the options of fit again players on the bench.
Expect much more of the tried and tested this time around. Perhaps with fresh legs coming on from the sixty-minute mark. Vitaly Janelt and Jordan Henderson got game time at City. Aaron Hickey started that one. Reiss Nelson and Romelle Donovan must be chomping at the bit for a proper runout.
Your officials for this one are confirmed as:
Referee: Sam Barrott.
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Wade Smith.
Fourth official: Steve Martin.
VAR: Paul Howard.
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
Let’s hope we get three amigos out there rather than a bunch of dirty, rotten scoundrels.
Whatever has gone before, the Bees are in a quite incredible position on the table. Full focus and out the traps flying could reap the most incredible of rewards.
Come on, Keith, let’s go for it!
