Brentford (A) Match preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: Brentford
Can Town bounce back against Brentford? As the Playoff finalists entertain Huddersfield at their new ground, we got Brentford fan podcast Beesotted to give us an in-depth look at our opponents.
There are many fans who would have been looking forward to Saturday’s away trip to Brentford if they could go. Griffin Park was always a favourite away ground, and their new ground Brentford Community Stadium would have been a new experience for Town’s loyal away following.
Instead, the reality is another iFollow stream at 3pm and that looks set to continue for the foreseeable. Clubs had hoped to have at least a quarter of their fans back for the start of October, but spikes in the infection rate of COVID-19 means that looks a way off, even with tests this weekend at certain EFL matches which will allow a maximum of 1,000 in the ground.
Huddersfield travel to Brentford following the 1-0 home defeat to Norwich which, although showed some green shoots of progress, identified the lack of cutting edge The Terriers have had for years now.
Like Town, Brentford suffered defeat on the opening day by the same scoreline, losing 1-0 to Birmingham. Don’t forget that Town we’re also victorious in this fixture last season, snatching a victory against the odds.
Is this a good time to play The Bees, considering they may be nursing a hangover from last season’s playoff final defeat? Or will Brentford get revenge for last season?
To find out, And He Takes That Chance chatted to Robin from Beesotted for an update on Saturday’s opponents.
In the reverse fixture at Brentford, Huddersfield won 1-0 with Karlan Grant grabbing the goal. Photo source: Brentford
How would you sum up last season for Brentford? Do you think missing out in the playoff final could have a negative effect on the club for the season ahead?
In summary, it was a typical Brentford season. We started poorly following the standard summer transfer shake-up, formations weren’t working and players were out of position, but our performances were much better than our results suggested. The BMW started scoring, the defence tightened and we got back into the play-off positions, with an immense eight game-winning run after the league restarted seeing us come within a whisker of automatic promotion. Typically, we fluffed it in the last two games. Then a play-off campaign, our ninth in history. Typically, we fluffed it. Brentford don’t do play-offs. I’ll leave it to you to look up the record!
In 2013, we were a penalty kick from promotion from League One before messing it in the playoffs, and we came back next season and comfortably finished second to get promotion. We did that with pretty much the same team, but this time around we will almost certainly be without two of our stars of the last campaign. Losing in that fashion will always have a short-term negative impact, but I think the experience could benefit our squad in the same way it did in 2013.
What are your general expectations for the season?
This season is going to go one of two ways: automatic promotion or 7th. I feel it will be the latter, but you never know. It’s a season of transition, with the loss of Watkins (which was always expected), Benrahma’s inevitable departure (for the right price), a new stadium and COVID still present. I think finishing in the play-offs is a minimum expectation set by last season, but we need to pick up more points in the first ten games than last year to go that bit further and get automatic promotion. Just not the play-offs, I can’t take another Wembley defeat.
Brentford are widely praised for their scouting, recruitment and ability to sell players for a profit. Do you think this model of selling star players will be enough to reach the Premier League?
I really do believe it will, but we can’t be impatient. In years gone by, we’d be looking at a summer clear out. Now, we’re not under any pressure to sell despite interest in the likes of Rico Henry and David Raya. We will get to the stage where we don’t have to sell our stars, because the money we’ve made on previous transfers keeps us financially stable. We bought Watkins for £1.8m, sold him for £28m. Maupay: bought for £2m, sold for £20m. Getting £12m for Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa was outstanding business too. The list goes on, and that profit margin means we can now afford to reject bids. There will come a time when it all clicks, when we have a squad of 20 players who all contribute to a promotion-winning season. Then, when we’re in the Premier League, only a mass pay rise or European football will make players think the grass is greener elsewhere. We will get there, I’m sure of it, but when the time is right.
Ollie Watkins, who departed for Aston Villa, is described as a mesmerising player by Robin from Beesotted. Photo source: Brentford
Championship Player of the Season Ollie Watkins has left and Ivan Toney has come in. How much will this side miss Watkins and do you think Toney will be able to step up?
It was always inevitable that Watkins would be sold if we didn’t go up, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. He’s a mesmerising player, and seeing him transition from an inconsistent winger to the best striker in the league was a dream to watch. He bulked up, got stronger and faster, and his positioning and work rate was always impeccable. He’s an outstanding player, by all accounts a really good guy and I wish him all the best.
As for Ivan Toney, I’m not expecting 25 goals in his first season. His general play does seem to mirror Watkins, albeit with less straight-line pace and more typical ‘target man’ attributes, but the step up in divisions takes time. He’s an exciting player and a natural goalscorer, and with a season of Championship football under his belt he should start paying dividends. I have faith in him, but he will need time and support from his teammates to get there.
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
Tariqe Fosu. We signed him from Oxford in January along with Shandon Baptiste, and he looks a real talent. For someone his size, he’s very strong. A direct, pacey, skilful winger. His chances in the starting 11 last season were limited by the form of the BMW up front, but with Watkins going, Toney finding his feet and Benrahma likely to depart, he has a real opportunity to have a big season. He’ll be fighting for real estate with Canos and potentially a new winger, but he’s an exciting player.
Brentford are now playing in their new stadium after saying goodbye to Griffin Park, how desperate are you and other fans to watch a match in the new ground?
Desperate is an understatement. Leaving Griffin Park was tough but not being able to get into the stadium for the start of the season makes it worse. Thanks, COVID. The seats and ground sharing are talking points for another day but hopefully, the pilot events begin soon with a highly reduced capacity. If it’s just 1000 fans allowed at a time and I get to watch two games a season, I’ll take that over no fans at all, as I’m sure all football supporters would. Watching your team live on the telly is no substitute, you feel helpless and want to be there. We’ll see how the situation plays out.
Tariqe Fosu is the one to watch for Brentford this season. Photo source: Tariqe Fosu
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
While you won’t be up against the B or the W of last season’s attacking trio, the M is still here. Bryan Mbeumo scares me. He’s 21 years old and plays like someone 10 years his senior. His reading of the game and awareness is great, but it’s his blistering pace, agility and all-round flair that causes problems. He’s also deceptively good with his right foot, he just needs to use it more. If he’s on form, he’s unplayable. Other than that, Josh Da Silva’s left foot is among the best in the league and he’s got an eye for goal. Norgaard, our defensive midfield rock, is the best in the league. Make sure your boys are wearing extra-strong shin pads!
What are Brentford’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
Defensively, we were a different team last season compared to the leaky defences of Brentford’s past. However, the goal we conceded against Birmingham was an uncharacteristic near-post header from a corner. If we haven’t sorted that issue, you may get a goal from a chance like that. Other than that don’t have any real significant weaknesses, except for one big one: going a goal behind. We lost nine league games last season by a 1-0 scoreline and the first goal is always so crucial in Bees games. If you take the lead in the first half, I think you’ll take all three points. We really struggle when we go 1-0 down and teams stick 11 men behind the ball. The points we’re able to pick up from a 1-0 deficit will be the difference this season between promotion and another year in the Championship. If the opening game is anything to go by, we’re still working on that problem.
Brentford will hope to bounce back from their playoff final defeat. Photo source: Brentford
What have you made of Huddersfield Town in the last few seasons?
Against us, you’ve seemed to have the upper hand in the past few years. Last season’s away 0-0 in Huddersfield was a rarity, it’s not a scoreline we’re accustomed to, and the 1-0 loss at Griffin Park was typical of the struggles I mentioned in the previous question. Dominant for 60 minutes, then Karlan Grant buries a great finish and it ends 1-0. Elias Kachunga always had a bit of mercurial talent until he was let go, but Lewis O’Brien looks a cracking little player, hard-working with tricky feet and great distribution. We’ve always had a soft spot for Alex Pritchard at Brentford. His one season with us was arguably the best loanee we’ve ever had. With the right recruitment, and if your new manager can get the players to gel, I feel you could turn a group of good individuals into a great squad.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
I’m going 2-1 to The Bees. Both teams opened the season with a 1-0 loss so will have a point to prove, but the football romantic in me says we’re going to win our first league game at our new home. It all depends on who scores first.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Brentford? Let us know in the comments!
