Firstly, excuse some of the typos, i am a couple of digits down for the foreseeable and having to make do with the rest 
On Saturday, a lackluster huddersfield side return to the scene of their 5-2 hammering agains stoke to face a high flying brentford side who come fresh on the back of dismantaling of QPR, 3-1 was rather flattering to Rangers if i'm being honest. Town come into the game fresh from a 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals barnsley, a lewis o'brien goal the only bright note.
![[Image: 0_JS200097239.jpg]](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/article17437538.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_JS200097239.jpg)
I hope town have been watching brentfords set piece manouvres as qpr were just leaving people unmarked, which I know is a massive town speciality, but considering how we have been of late defending set pieces and the amount of video evidence that is around now for teams to use, i wont be impressed if we fall foul to the same tactics.
So with the season beyond the half way stage, what is the story so far for brentford?
Well, Bees are looking to say goodbye to their home ground Griffin Park in style by winning promotion to the Premier league and so far it is looking promising, with the London based side sitting nicely in 3rd, although they are 6 points behind 2nd and only 4 above 7th as is the congestion at the top of the league. Although it's much the same at the bottom with 4 points separating town from the drop zones and 6 from midtable mediocrity, which let's face it, we'd happily take at this point. But with Derby possibly facing a 9 point deduction it could get even more interesting.
Anyways, back to Brentford. Over the summer they lost key player in neal maupay to Brighton for circa 25million and instead of splashing the cash they decided to change attacking midfielder ollie Watkins into a striking role and its safe to say it has just about worked with the former Exeter man scoring 18 goals this campaign, with more surely beckoning this weekend. He has been ably assisted by Bryan mbeumo and said benrahma who have contributed 16 goals and 9 assists between them.
![[Image: ?preset=square&greyscale=false]](https://www.brentfordfc.com/api/image/cropandgreyscale/298ca6a4-87cd-4db0-a38c-2eb9dbc72437/?preset=square&greyscale=false)
Instead of signing a striker, the bees decided to strengthen their back line by signing David raya from Blackburn to go between the sticks and pontus magic hat jansson to slot in at centre half. Safe to say it has worked, with the promotion candidates having conceded the fewest goals in the league this season at 21, with a goal difference of +23, ours is - 13...
Brentford have lost one of their last five, that coming away at Millwall at the end of last year. Since then they have thrashed Bristol city away at Ashton Gate 4-0 and we all know what happened to us when we played at Ashton Gate, although it has been a regular occurrence. Town meanwhile have won 2 of the last 5, losing the rest, so it be nice to make it 3 wins and 3 loses in the last 6 come Saturday night, possibly wishful thinking.
The last time we met earlier in the season saw town snatch a 1-0 win thanks to a karlan grant strike, Brentford never really settled in to the game with town breaking up play on regular occasions, much to the annoyance of the obviously non bias commentators that were on the stream I was watching. They liked to call it the dark arts, but I think someone had been watching too much Harry Potter as Danny and nicky are nothing like Snape and dumbledore.
![[Image: PbH0U.gif]](https://i.stack.imgur.com/PbH0U.gif)
Danny and Nicky after the game at Griffin Park
It wouldn't surprise me if we were to go down the same niggly route this weekend with more emphasis on stopping them playing and hitting them probably both figuratively and literally and on the break, rather than trying to attack and finding ourselves cut open.
We're also over half way through the transfer window and town have been the most active of the two, well we did need to be. In fact at the time of typing Brentford had not opened the door to allow anyone in, instead opting to extend the contracts of manager Thomas Frank and reserve goalkeeper luke Daniels.
Town meanwhile have welcomed emile Smith rowe on loan, Richard stearman on free transfer from Sheffield United and Andy King on loan from Leicester, rumours also suggest that toffolo is due to be announced tomorrow, whether it will be in time for Saturday remains to be seen. On the outgoings, Ryan schofield has joined livingstone on loan and rarmani edmonds Green has joined Swindon, whilst tk has just go out on loan to Fulham, hopefully they are paying all his wages and the rest.
Going into Saturday I'd expect Smith-rowe and stearman to be in and around the starting line up, whilst I'd expected king to be involved from the bench. I fully expect there to be some changes following our recent lack luster performances. I'm not exactly expecting wholesale changes, but just enough following some poor performances.
![[Image: 0_FotoJet.png]](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/article17550883.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_FotoJet.png)
![[Image: image.jpg]](https://images-a.jpimedia.uk/imagefetch/w_400,f_auto,ar_3:2,q_auto:low,c_fill/if_h_lte_200,c_mfit,h_201/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimage/1.10204294.1579171941!/image/image.jpg)
![[Image: 0_JS189999397-1.jpg]](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/article17585371.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_JS189999397-1.jpg)
Key players
Ollie Watkins - the winger turned striker has been mentioned before in the thread, but he probably warrants another mention. Not the greatest of threats aerially, nor the strongest of players, but has the technique to cause nightmares for defences. He's almost scored more this season than he managed in the last two seasons combined
Josh dasilva- second top Scorer for the bees, the midfielder began life as a striker in arsenals academy before moving back into a midfield berth. Having joined Brentford in 2018, it seems like this is the breakthrough season for the former gunner.
Said benrahma- the French Algerian joined the bees from nice last season having spent time out on loan at clubs like chateauroux and registered 10 goals and 14 assist for the bees last season. If I recall correctly Huddersfield were interested in the wingers signature, but elected to go down the diabenza route. Wonder if we made the right decision?
![[Image: hqdefault.jpg]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vx4vfZofwS0/hqdefault.jpg)
Rico Henry - highly talented left back who has been likened to Ashley Cole due to his bursting runs forward, hopefully he doesn't shoot youth players with an air soft gun... He joined the bees from Walsall in 2016 and has started to make the role his own over the last few seasons.
![[Image: ?preset=square&greyscale=false]](https://www.brentfordfc.com/api/image/cropandgreyscale/1579dada-02bc-4dcf-97ac-d31f74d9ea8d/?preset=square&greyscale=false)
Now I know you all Love the played for both quiz. But you ain't getting it this time. Instead you are getting something I've taken from the town programme, I've picked a game between the two sides and will give clues to the town line up, you're just got to guess the players and result. No cheating!!!
Gk- I was getting on a bit when I played this game, but I was still the best man for the job in many a town fans eyes. I am now a coach at a championship side.
Lb- scouser by birth, scouser by nature. Equally at home on the left as I was the right. A solid if unspectacular player, I did not let anyone down. I'm still playing back down in league one.
Cb- a solid defender that lead by example, I came through the system of a Merseyside based team and clocked up just shy of 200 league appearances for the terriers.
Cb- a 'versatile' defender that originally came from these parts, but signed for the terriers after winning player of the season season at my former club. Was originally viewed as a midfielder but played my better football in defence
Rb- a home grown player that added a different dimension down the right side. Made a big impression on my debut against a 'big' club. I'm still playing in the championship
Cm- an international footballer who made 34 appearances for the terriers across two spells at the club. I struggled with injuries during my career which probably stopped me playing at the highest levels of English football. I'm now a coach at one of my former clubs
Cm- an old head to offer experience in the middle of the park, I played a season for the terriers after joining from another Yorkshire team. I had a solid career amassing over 500 appearances
Rm- I came from North of the border and have since returned there. Was used as a bit of a utility player during my time here and I've played better since I left. I play my international football for a 'smaller' nation North of a border.
Lm- I played my best football for Huddersfield and became a fan favourite during my time here. What I lacked in pace I made up with ability. I'm still on the books for a championship side
St- became a bit of an icon at town for the wrong reasons rather than the right ones. I had had a decent career up until that point being known as a robust player rather than a goal scorer
St- I scored going back to an old stomping ground. Made a career in being a prolific Scorer, my build up play has often been slated and I often lose that goalscoring touch if I work too hard out of the box.
Subs
1 - never really played at town having come as third choice with the view to moving into coaching. Coached at town for a while before being relieved of my duties. I'm now at a fellow championship club
2- only had a loan spell at town and never really did anything. I've since gone on to be a solid championship defender and a club captain
3- signed originally on loan from a premier league side before turning that move permanent, replacing a fan favourite, always looked to have the potential to be a good player but never really delivered. I now play in a foreign country.
4- signed after some good performances against town. I looked half decent for the early part of my debut but injury curtailed that. After that I didn't look like a player at all. I've since gone into footballing obscurity
5- a whole hearted player who would give my all during a game. Never the greatest technically but my endeavour endeared m to the fans. I was relatively young when I signed for town and spent 4 years here before moving on to rejoin a former manager
Sorry for the lack of images, I'll put some up later, unless someone beats me to it...
On Saturday, a lackluster huddersfield side return to the scene of their 5-2 hammering agains stoke to face a high flying brentford side who come fresh on the back of dismantaling of QPR, 3-1 was rather flattering to Rangers if i'm being honest. Town come into the game fresh from a 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals barnsley, a lewis o'brien goal the only bright note.
I hope town have been watching brentfords set piece manouvres as qpr were just leaving people unmarked, which I know is a massive town speciality, but considering how we have been of late defending set pieces and the amount of video evidence that is around now for teams to use, i wont be impressed if we fall foul to the same tactics.
So with the season beyond the half way stage, what is the story so far for brentford?
Well, Bees are looking to say goodbye to their home ground Griffin Park in style by winning promotion to the Premier league and so far it is looking promising, with the London based side sitting nicely in 3rd, although they are 6 points behind 2nd and only 4 above 7th as is the congestion at the top of the league. Although it's much the same at the bottom with 4 points separating town from the drop zones and 6 from midtable mediocrity, which let's face it, we'd happily take at this point. But with Derby possibly facing a 9 point deduction it could get even more interesting.
Anyways, back to Brentford. Over the summer they lost key player in neal maupay to Brighton for circa 25million and instead of splashing the cash they decided to change attacking midfielder ollie Watkins into a striking role and its safe to say it has just about worked with the former Exeter man scoring 18 goals this campaign, with more surely beckoning this weekend. He has been ably assisted by Bryan mbeumo and said benrahma who have contributed 16 goals and 9 assists between them.
Instead of signing a striker, the bees decided to strengthen their back line by signing David raya from Blackburn to go between the sticks and pontus magic hat jansson to slot in at centre half. Safe to say it has worked, with the promotion candidates having conceded the fewest goals in the league this season at 21, with a goal difference of +23, ours is - 13...
Brentford have lost one of their last five, that coming away at Millwall at the end of last year. Since then they have thrashed Bristol city away at Ashton Gate 4-0 and we all know what happened to us when we played at Ashton Gate, although it has been a regular occurrence. Town meanwhile have won 2 of the last 5, losing the rest, so it be nice to make it 3 wins and 3 loses in the last 6 come Saturday night, possibly wishful thinking.
The last time we met earlier in the season saw town snatch a 1-0 win thanks to a karlan grant strike, Brentford never really settled in to the game with town breaking up play on regular occasions, much to the annoyance of the obviously non bias commentators that were on the stream I was watching. They liked to call it the dark arts, but I think someone had been watching too much Harry Potter as Danny and nicky are nothing like Snape and dumbledore.
Danny and Nicky after the game at Griffin Park
It wouldn't surprise me if we were to go down the same niggly route this weekend with more emphasis on stopping them playing and hitting them probably both figuratively and literally and on the break, rather than trying to attack and finding ourselves cut open.
We're also over half way through the transfer window and town have been the most active of the two, well we did need to be. In fact at the time of typing Brentford had not opened the door to allow anyone in, instead opting to extend the contracts of manager Thomas Frank and reserve goalkeeper luke Daniels.
Town meanwhile have welcomed emile Smith rowe on loan, Richard stearman on free transfer from Sheffield United and Andy King on loan from Leicester, rumours also suggest that toffolo is due to be announced tomorrow, whether it will be in time for Saturday remains to be seen. On the outgoings, Ryan schofield has joined livingstone on loan and rarmani edmonds Green has joined Swindon, whilst tk has just go out on loan to Fulham, hopefully they are paying all his wages and the rest.
Going into Saturday I'd expect Smith-rowe and stearman to be in and around the starting line up, whilst I'd expected king to be involved from the bench. I fully expect there to be some changes following our recent lack luster performances. I'm not exactly expecting wholesale changes, but just enough following some poor performances.
Key players
Ollie Watkins - the winger turned striker has been mentioned before in the thread, but he probably warrants another mention. Not the greatest of threats aerially, nor the strongest of players, but has the technique to cause nightmares for defences. He's almost scored more this season than he managed in the last two seasons combined
Josh dasilva- second top Scorer for the bees, the midfielder began life as a striker in arsenals academy before moving back into a midfield berth. Having joined Brentford in 2018, it seems like this is the breakthrough season for the former gunner.
Said benrahma- the French Algerian joined the bees from nice last season having spent time out on loan at clubs like chateauroux and registered 10 goals and 14 assist for the bees last season. If I recall correctly Huddersfield were interested in the wingers signature, but elected to go down the diabenza route. Wonder if we made the right decision?
Rico Henry - highly talented left back who has been likened to Ashley Cole due to his bursting runs forward, hopefully he doesn't shoot youth players with an air soft gun... He joined the bees from Walsall in 2016 and has started to make the role his own over the last few seasons.
Now I know you all Love the played for both quiz. But you ain't getting it this time. Instead you are getting something I've taken from the town programme, I've picked a game between the two sides and will give clues to the town line up, you're just got to guess the players and result. No cheating!!!
Gk- I was getting on a bit when I played this game, but I was still the best man for the job in many a town fans eyes. I am now a coach at a championship side.
Lb- scouser by birth, scouser by nature. Equally at home on the left as I was the right. A solid if unspectacular player, I did not let anyone down. I'm still playing back down in league one.
Cb- a solid defender that lead by example, I came through the system of a Merseyside based team and clocked up just shy of 200 league appearances for the terriers.
Cb- a 'versatile' defender that originally came from these parts, but signed for the terriers after winning player of the season season at my former club. Was originally viewed as a midfielder but played my better football in defence
Rb- a home grown player that added a different dimension down the right side. Made a big impression on my debut against a 'big' club. I'm still playing in the championship
Cm- an international footballer who made 34 appearances for the terriers across two spells at the club. I struggled with injuries during my career which probably stopped me playing at the highest levels of English football. I'm now a coach at one of my former clubs
Cm- an old head to offer experience in the middle of the park, I played a season for the terriers after joining from another Yorkshire team. I had a solid career amassing over 500 appearances
Rm- I came from North of the border and have since returned there. Was used as a bit of a utility player during my time here and I've played better since I left. I play my international football for a 'smaller' nation North of a border.
Lm- I played my best football for Huddersfield and became a fan favourite during my time here. What I lacked in pace I made up with ability. I'm still on the books for a championship side
St- became a bit of an icon at town for the wrong reasons rather than the right ones. I had had a decent career up until that point being known as a robust player rather than a goal scorer
St- I scored going back to an old stomping ground. Made a career in being a prolific Scorer, my build up play has often been slated and I often lose that goalscoring touch if I work too hard out of the box.
Subs
1 - never really played at town having come as third choice with the view to moving into coaching. Coached at town for a while before being relieved of my duties. I'm now at a fellow championship club
2- only had a loan spell at town and never really did anything. I've since gone on to be a solid championship defender and a club captain
3- signed originally on loan from a premier league side before turning that move permanent, replacing a fan favourite, always looked to have the potential to be a good player but never really delivered. I now play in a foreign country.
4- signed after some good performances against town. I looked half decent for the early part of my debut but injury curtailed that. After that I didn't look like a player at all. I've since gone into footballing obscurity
5- a whole hearted player who would give my all during a game. Never the greatest technically but my endeavour endeared m to the fans. I was relatively young when I signed for town and spent 4 years here before moving on to rejoin a former manager
Sorry for the lack of images, I'll put some up later, unless someone beats me to it...
Another day, another door, another high, another low
![[Image: 2ZJuVRk.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/2ZJuVRk.gif)
