Who were the best 5 Bees in their latest Premier League game and how does the top 5 look after Gameweek 11?
Brentford v Norwich City. It just had to happen. There was an almost cosmic inevitability about the way this one would play out.
The Canaries having only scored three goals and picked up two points from their opening ten Premier League games. Brentford using the same period to make friends everywhere, cause a few upsets along the way and take the top flight in our stride. Even having the temerity to knock on the door of the European places.
Then, the two teams met at Lionel Road on Saturday afternoon. Football taking the opportunity to remind us once more what a cruel mistress she can be. As fickle and unpredictable as ever.
If ever there was a ‘home banker’ on paper, that illusion was shattered within the opening half hour. Norwich racing to a two goal lead whilst Tim Krul in nets for the Canaries had an inspired afternoon. The offside flag likewise coming to their aid when he was finally beaten. In the end, a 2-1 reverse might have been hard on the Bees but too many of the team were off their game. Too many performances dialled in. All the huff and puff coming to nothing at the end of a frustrating afternoon that culminated in Norwich City telling their manger to Farke off, despite recording a first win of the campaign.
All of which skirts around the fact that we need to find Saturday’s top five contenders for our Brentford player ratings review. Who will be crowned king at the end of the season? Did anyone impress for Brentford? Or is it simply the case of seeing who was the least bad as the Canaries stung the Bees in Gameweek 11?
When we last looked, the early season pace had been set by Ivan Toney, Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo. Rico Henry and David Raya making up the top five with Vitaly Janelt and Kris Ajer knocking on the door. With significant injuries putting paid to Raya and Ajer’s chances in the short term, the opportunity to shine was there for the taking against the divisional whipping boys.
Brentford Player Ratings from Gameweek 11 (vs Norwich)
1st (Star player) – Rico Henry
The wing back one of a few bright lights on an otherwise drab afternoon. Galloping up the left flank with a turn of pace that gave brief hope whilst still performed his defensive duties in a style that most of his team mates so sadly failed to emulate.
The opening goal for Norwich a comedy of errors as at least three players went awol, offering our visitors the freedom of Lionel Road. Yet if Norwich took their chances when offered, so did Rico. His stretch at the back post to volley home a Ghoddos cross on the hour left the otherwise unbeatable Krul no hope. With international break beckoning and no selection imminent, Rico’s substitution was an odd one given his drive and a level of flair that was a cut above the rest.
Instead, Brentford resorting to a long ball game that reaped no further reward beyond compounding our frustration.
2nd – Christian Norgaard
A very close second to Rico. Denied not one but two nailed-on goals via the heroics of Tim Krul. How the first didn’t go in, not long after going 0-1 down, is a mystery to rank alongside the question of just how Stonehenge was built or who actually enjoys the England Supporter’s Band. Having done all the hard work to force the position, there was the Norwich ‘keeper to deny him with a miracle stop from point blank range.
On a day where Janelt was off his usual best and Jensen drifted for huge swathes of the opening period, Norgaard fought a one man battle to cover for his colleagues and bridge the huge gap to the front two.
3rd – Bryan Mbeumo
Ok, so he didn’t score although did have the ball in the back of the net early into the second half. An offside flag ruling that one out after a VAR check but Bryan never stopped running. Put in one hell of a shift and you can’t deny the effort. Moreso, given some of the lacklustre displays elsewhere.
4th – Saman Ghoddos
A second half substitute, his ball to Rico provided the one bright spark on an otherwise grim afternoon. For a moment, there was life in this game and whilst he was introduced at a point where things couldn’t have got any worse, you still need to take the opportunity.
Ghoddos very much waiting for his chance but now finding his feet in the first team. Enthusiasm and drive to match that of Bryan.
5th – Ethan Pinnock
Considering two sloppy goals were given away when the Brentford midfield (or lack of) exposed the back line, Ethan remained rock solid. Another defensive reshuffle when Zanka was added to the list of absent centre backs just 12 minutes in (see also: Mads Bech and Kris Ajer) hardly helped the cause but failed to ruffle his feathers.
With the Bees pushing up in the second half and playing a more direct style, his own drive forward gave hope whilst still remaining astute enough to ensure the visitors didn’t grab a third that would have put this one out of sight before referee Gillett eventually did. So confident on the ball.
Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Gameweek 11)
1st – Christian Norgaard
2nd – Rico Henry
T3rd – Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbuemo
5th – David Raya
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