15-04-2015, 17:23
Difficult game to sum up because we won but were massively outplayed by a team of ordinary players playing out of their skins. However, they squandered so many chances and we took one of our few chances.
We actually started quite brightly but Brentford quickly adjusted their formation to take control. In many ways, we played it like an away match by taking the pressure and counter attacking. Brentford missed three good chances in the first half but we got to the break level. The amazing four against one situation where they contrived to miss!
As the match progressed, it became more stretched as Brentford committed more men forward. It looked like it was inevitable that they were going to score but we kept holding on somehow.
After bringing on Bus, Maguire & Maghoma, we scored in a remarkable break away. We ended up four versus two. Lee slipped it to Lavery. He tried to set us Bus but the ball broke perfectly to Lee, who smashed it home.
After that, Brentford appeared to be less confident. They missed one sitter but otherwise we saw time out comfortably with Maguire expertly running down the clock.
Westwood - 6 - couple of saves
Buxton - 6 - less involved than Saturday
Lees - 7 - individually solid
Zayatte - 6 - won aeriel battles
Helan - 6 - struggled at times
Lee - 7 - bright & inventive
McGugan - 5 - below par
Melo - 7 - outstanding shield
Isgrove - 6 - less influential
May - 5 - didn't happen
Lavery - 6 - bright & inventive
................................................
Maguire - 7 - managed to use up four minutes of stoppage time on his own
Bus - 6 - looked more cohesive with him on
Maghoma - 6 - one brilliant saving tackle
I said three matches ago that it was about preparing for next season, about trying things and that performances were more important now than results. So here, our performance was poor. We were constantly cut open and probably deserved to lose by two or three goals. On the plus side, we hung in there, scored a goal and saw the game out professionally.
Not sure that we learnt much here that we didn't already know. May & Lavery together don't work as a pair. Helan is vulnerable at LB. maybe home fans saw that Melo is quality.
I think this match posed more questions regarding the retained list though. Maguire has looked better in the last two matches so could save himself. Melo's performance cast a greater shadow over Semedo, who has been blighted with injuries although SG's criticism of Melo after the match suggests that he won't be playing him regularly.
I would also add that the game was entertaining compared to most of the matches this season. That was helped by Brentford's desire to win by leaving three men upfield throughout the second half.
We are now one clean sheet away from a new club record but also face a less wanted record of this being the first season in our history that we have never scored more than two in any home match unless we score three or more against Leeds. From memory, we did that last season.
We actually started quite brightly but Brentford quickly adjusted their formation to take control. In many ways, we played it like an away match by taking the pressure and counter attacking. Brentford missed three good chances in the first half but we got to the break level. The amazing four against one situation where they contrived to miss!
As the match progressed, it became more stretched as Brentford committed more men forward. It looked like it was inevitable that they were going to score but we kept holding on somehow.
After bringing on Bus, Maguire & Maghoma, we scored in a remarkable break away. We ended up four versus two. Lee slipped it to Lavery. He tried to set us Bus but the ball broke perfectly to Lee, who smashed it home.
After that, Brentford appeared to be less confident. They missed one sitter but otherwise we saw time out comfortably with Maguire expertly running down the clock.
Westwood - 6 - couple of saves
Buxton - 6 - less involved than Saturday
Lees - 7 - individually solid
Zayatte - 6 - won aeriel battles
Helan - 6 - struggled at times
Lee - 7 - bright & inventive
McGugan - 5 - below par
Melo - 7 - outstanding shield
Isgrove - 6 - less influential
May - 5 - didn't happen
Lavery - 6 - bright & inventive
................................................
Maguire - 7 - managed to use up four minutes of stoppage time on his own
Bus - 6 - looked more cohesive with him on
Maghoma - 6 - one brilliant saving tackle
I said three matches ago that it was about preparing for next season, about trying things and that performances were more important now than results. So here, our performance was poor. We were constantly cut open and probably deserved to lose by two or three goals. On the plus side, we hung in there, scored a goal and saw the game out professionally.
Not sure that we learnt much here that we didn't already know. May & Lavery together don't work as a pair. Helan is vulnerable at LB. maybe home fans saw that Melo is quality.
I think this match posed more questions regarding the retained list though. Maguire has looked better in the last two matches so could save himself. Melo's performance cast a greater shadow over Semedo, who has been blighted with injuries although SG's criticism of Melo after the match suggests that he won't be playing him regularly.
I would also add that the game was entertaining compared to most of the matches this season. That was helped by Brentford's desire to win by leaving three men upfield throughout the second half.
We are now one clean sheet away from a new club record but also face a less wanted record of this being the first season in our history that we have never scored more than two in any home match unless we score three or more against Leeds. From memory, we did that last season.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.