Here it is, the big one, the promotion six pointer, the winner takes all shoot out. The whole season will come down to this game as we go up against our closest rivals for second, the momentum is with them and if we lose this, we'll be flat and despondent as we enter the play offs. The pressure is going to be unbearable, we're away at their ground that we've never won at, they have Ivan Toney (who wanted to join us but we had no money). The naysayers on the forum were right - we told you that a nine point buffer with four games to go was never going to be enough but you just wouldn't listen... hang on, what's that picture below? Anyway, enough of that alternative reality! We are Premier League and in the end it was comfortable. Xisco's appointment was inspired and the team clicked into an unstoppable winning machine (save for that match which we shall never mention again). The main prize has been achieved and the players rightly deserved their celebrations on Saturday but there is the small matter of a title still to go for. The odds on us winning it are miniscule but you never know... Norwich are home to a Reading side that have nothing left to play for but if we can defeat Brentford, anything less than a win for Norwich will send it to the final day. Here's to hoping... Anyway, onto the opposition. I think most people quite like Brentford - seen as the future with their data driven approach and innovative use of a B team. They also play decent enough football and have done a good job replacing players they've sold in recent years. Interestingly, the media portray their partnership with Danish club Midtjylland as a forward thinking positive, in stark contrast to all the years of snide comments about our links to Udinese but hey ho! I would like Brentford or Barnsley to win the play offs - the gamesmanship of Bournemouth and Swansea over the course of the season mean that hopefully karma will reward them with another season in the Championship and prove the old adage about cheats and prospering. Das Gaffer One of the least likeable things about Brentford, however, is Thomas Frank. A serial whiner, he was on top form during the game at the Vic, trying to start on Vladimir Ivic, complaining about the most obvious red card and penalty you'll ever see and ignoring the incorrectly flagged offside winner from the lesser spotted Stipe Perica. As he was at pains to point out that Brentford "destroyed Watford in the first half" of that game, it feels only fair to point out to Thomas that Watford destroyed Brentford in the second half... of the season. Thomas Frank celebrates the recent win against Bournemouth Dangerman Ivan Toney was a real handful for our centre backs that day, creating untold problems and causing a bit of a stir amongst the forum members who wanted us to try to sign him in the summer, something that was further exacerbated by the later revelation from the Peterborough chairman that we were at the front of the queue but couldn't get players out of the door to make space. Toney came across very well in the post match interview and has had a tremendously impressive return of 29 goals and 10 assists. However, he has only scored once from open play in the last ten games, with a Deeney-esque reliance on penalties to keep the numbers looking as good as they are. Team News Would expect Watford to go full strength again as there is that faint chance of winning the title. Kiko is out for the season and there was no sign of Ngakia in the last couple of games so we might well rely on Cathu at right back. Would be tempted to give Gray a run out, he's contributed a fair bit from the bench in recent times and Pedro really needs a break. Other than that, would keep the side the same, at least until we hear Norwich are 4-0 up at half time, then we can start giving some minutes to squad members that deserve it. Who knows what Brentford will do - they might want to rest players for the play offs, particularly as they have Rotherham on the Tuesday night but they might want to go for it to try to secure home advantage (such as it is in these Covid times) for the second leg. Anyway, enjoy the penultimate game of the Championship fellow Hornets and here's to one final push towards an improbably title for the good ship HMS Piss the League. COYH! Bonus Feature Any of the old timers on the forum that went to this game let us know so we can give you some kudos! Edit: Is that the Rick Wakeman who is listed as a Vice President of Brentford in the programme above? Not quite Elton John, is it?
Don't be frightened; you can say it: Bournemouth The players were literally smoking cigars and drinking low-rent beer/Kopparberg in the changing rooms on Saturday afternoon - we are going to get banged by the best team in the league, with Toney scoring a penalty hat trick, and very few (myself included) will give a solitary sh it.
Very fine SLB,very fine indeed! Frank is a soppy old tart it's true! Is that programme from the 3-2 win at GP in the old Division 3? If so I was there,I think,although it was an awfully long time ago and I'm now on my second crate of Barolo!
Such a bizarre situation. I’ve spent the last weeks and months obsessing about our results and those of our rivals, probably more so than in a normal year as there has been little else exciting to fixate on. Most of all this fixture and the Swansea one have been looming on the horizon like a spectre I didn’t want to face. But now we’re up and I almost forgot this game was even taking place. It’s both a thrill and a relief. We’ve been through dark days, but they are passing.
Not quite, apparently these are the details for that Programme: 15th August 1978- League Cup First Round Second Leg, Brentford 1 Watford 3 (Watford won 7-1 on aggregate) You get some kudos anyway!
Was the league cup tie right at the start of season. Think we thrashed them over the 2 legs ? I didn’t go. EDIT. Sent before seeing SLB post...honest !
Gosh. I'd forgotten the LC completely. Mind you I can hardly recall aspects of most games apart from Villa Park and George's goal and a Wilf last minute winner, oddly enough v Villa at The Vic. The game where John Newman lost his wooly hat in the celebrations!
I just hope before kick off Watford arrange a ceremony to mark us handing back the next two year’s worth of parachute payments to the Premier League. Can’t have those grubby EFL getting their hands on the dosh. Maybe even invite representatives of all the other PL clubs so Gino can hand over jumbo novelty cheques on the pitch as the teams line up.
LC game. I was there. John Stirk missed a basic trap right in front of us. My dad never rated him after that. and Yes to Rick Wakeman
Yes, but all the Brentford fans after the win will have you believe and bang on about how they just smashed 2nd place. That they deserved to go up and if only they played like that in 3 other games this season, they would be the ones celebrating automatic promotion. It will be mixed with, “how have watford gone up when we’re so much better than them etc.” I can’t wait.
Success to run on at full time and blow cigar smoke in assorted Brentford player and coaching staff faces.
Time to utilise the full squad. Give Mooney and Robbo a game, with Gray and Success to cover for them on Hive Live. Emma Saunders on the bench ready for a second half cameo.
They’re obviously the best team in the league but we’re better than them so will win comfortably. If by some chance they beat us they will be rueful that we finished above them. So either way we win. Joyous.
Well, i was at the first leg, when we smashed them 4-0. Id predicted 4-1 and was hoping theyd score a late consolation so id be proved right
The dream has finally become reality for Brentford, they can welcome a Premier League team to their new stadium!
Can’t believe no one is talking about the title. If we win and Norwich don’t, then we’re in with a really good chance of winning the Championship/2nd Division for the first time in our history. At least we’ll take it to the final game. Could be more drama just like last time.
3% chance according to fivethirtyeight’s model. If we’re still in with a shout going into the final 10 minutes against Swansea I might start to think about it.
Given his show on Saturday, there’s no chance he makes it as far as their faces before falling arse over t1t.
*Success to be paraded onto the pitch in a litter carried by assorted faceless backroom staff and blow cigar smoke in assorted Brentford player and coaching staff faces.
I genuinely forgot that this match was even happening after all of the celebrations on Saturday it felt like the season was over although I guess it basically is. No chance Norwich lose to Reading considering the form Reading are in and their season is also as good as done. Therefore, I genuinely don't really care about the match probably won't even watch it as I have a lot of things that I need to get done.
Play Hungbo, Philips and give Elliott a shot in goal. Success and Gray as part of the front three. Lazzar and Navarro in defence. Crocked Deeney in CMF. On a serious note, I think we'll draw this.
Should we win both our matches and Norwich draw one and lose one, it’ll come down to GD (which would be very close - if both our wins and Norwich’s defeat are all by one goal margins, then Norwich would win the league on goals scored). So Norwich probably need 1 win or 2 draws to keep it out of our hands. Either way, I have become pretty desperate for us to have the best defensive record in Championship history (ie since the brand in 2004). Current best in Preston in 05/06 with 30, were on 28. Playing kids etc would undermine that.
Put out the kids, will be enough to batter these small fry and continue the march to the title. Swansea at home is the bigger game.
Norwich will not fail to get 2 points from their last 2 games. It's not likely at all. I would like to have 2 comfortable wins from our games though. However....... If we get within 3 points, L**** will claim they stopped us winning the league. So I would consider that the least favourable outcome.
