Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Leicesterpublished at 11:03 30 November 2024
11:03 30 November 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Ruud van Nistelrooy has now been confirmed as Leicester's new manager, and he will be in attendance at Gtech Community Stadium.
The smart move would probably have been to distance himself from this game because, with five wins and a draw so far, Brentford have got the best home record in the Premier League this season.
If you are Ruud, you jet in after the game - Heathrow Airport is not far away - and jump on the team bus for the trip home after the Foxes get pumped.
I have got some sympathy for Steve Cooper over his dismissal by the way. Leicester were always going to struggle this season.
There are all sorts of stories flying around about how the players never bought into his methods. Maybe there is an element of it where the Leicester players think they are better than they are, but they certainly need to improve their timing.
There are photos of the squad out in Copenhagen this week for their Christmas party, and if they are holding that in November then something is wrong - although I must admit we have had the decorations up at our house for three weeks already.
Edwards' prediction: 1-2
I reckon Leicester will find something here, there will be a reaction to seeing the manager get sacked.
'Only a matter of time before we see him flourish'published at 16:54 29 November 2024
16:54 29 November 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank says he is "very pleased" with summer signing Fabio Carvalho.
In his latest news conference, Frank was asked about Carvalho's father, who allegedly commented on a Brentford Instagram post calling for his son to leave the club.
"If it was his dad [leaving the comment], I think we need to ask him," Frank said.
"I can only say that I'm very pleased with Fabio and he's very happy here. I speak to him every day and he's training well.
"He's in a good place. It's just a matter of time before we see him flourish even more. He's come into a good team who are scoring a lot of goals. I'm very pleased with him.
"Because we are performing offensively and the players in front of him are performing well, then we don't change. He just needs to wait for that window of injury or when we play three games in a week where he may get a start. It's the nature of football these days."
When asked what Carvalho's best position is, Frank added: "I think he can play to the left as a winger, he can play in 10 or as one of two strikers. We've also got Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade on the bench. I've got a positive challenge."
Frank on managerless Leicester, Norgaard and Thiago's fitnesspublished at 15:29 29 November 2024
15:29 29 November 2024
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Frank started with a squad fitness update: "In general, it's good. We have no more injuries and we are progressing with the players who are out. Kristoffer [Ajer] and [Gustavo] Nunes will not be available for this game."
He was asked if the club will sign a left-back in January to help with injury issues: "Eight different players can play at full-back, so I think we have enough. Never say never, but I think we will be fine."
On Christian Norgaard's red card being overturned: "It's more happiness that we have him available for the next three games. It would have been a very harsh decision. I'm very happy that it was correctly overturned."
On mistakes made by VAR: "This will be an ongoing thing. We are luckily still dealing with people and not AI. Human beings can make mistakes. I think it is progressing in the right way."
On record signing Igor Thiago's return to full fitness: "He played 70 minutes with the B team on Tuesday so he is more ready to potentially start games - but he will not start [on Saturday]."
On opponents, who are without a permanent manager after Steve Cooper lost his job last Sunday: "It's terrible timing for us. I'm always sad to hear when a fellow coach gets sacked. I know Steve quite well and I think he's a brilliant coach. Looking from the outside, I don't really know why [he was sacked]."
On preparation for the game: "We don't know exactly what they will come with. I have watched zero minutes of Leicester this week because I think it's a waste of time. It's 70-80 percent about us."
Damsgaard and Collins praised but full-back depth a concern?published at 16:39 28 November 2024
16:39 28 November 2024
We asked for your views on one thing nobody is talking about at Brentford - good or bad.
Here are some of your comments:
Plumbus: Overall a very average season, which is a massive compliment all things considered. Lacking defensive solidity with still no first-team quality full-backs and Kristoffer Ajer injured. Keane Lewis-Potter has more than stepped up to the mark at left-back, which could contribute to changing fortunes over the coming weeks and a rise up the table.
Sian: While generally positive, and in belief that last year's low placement was because of an extreme amount of serious injuries, more than a general downward trend. Brentford still suffers from still not having any obvious first-choice full-backs since Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry got injured last autumn, defensive issues shown this season is mostly down to this.
Mark: Many fans and commentators have rightly pointed out what a great season Mikkel Damsgaard is having following a shaky start, but Nathan Collins has been equally impressive and seems to have flown under the radar. Just a little reminder of how good Brentford's recruitment team is and how we need to give new players time to meet their potential.
Ian: Brentford are not a team of superstars. It is proven that our club is run sensibly and we do not spend millions. Always working within a tight budget. The manager is well respected in the football world. Brentford is developing into a well-run Premier League club. Hopefully, at the top of the football pyramid for many years.
Brentford v Leicester: Did you know?published at 12:01 28 November 2024
12:01 28 November 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have won more home points (16) and scored more home goals (18) than any other side in the Premier League this season. They have won five of their six at Gtech Community Stadium, and are looking to win four in a row at home for the first time ever in the Premier League.
Brentford's past three home games have seen them win 5-3 against Wolves, 4-3 against Ipswich and 3-2 against Bournemouth. The Bees last scored three or more goals in four consecutive home league games in April/May 1984, while the last team to win four straight top-flight home games while conceding two or more goals each time were Leicester in October 1964.
What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 16:56 27 November 2024
16:56 27 November 2024
Brentford's decent start to the season has continued and, after impressing with their goalscoring, Thomas Frank's side showed their defensive steel to draw 0-0 at Everton despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.
With record signing Igor Thiago finally fit, there is positivity for the Bees before a busy December.
But you're watching your team more closely than we are so we need you to tell us, what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?
Norgaard red card rescindedpublished at 11:37 27 November 2024
11:37 27 November 2024
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The red card shown to Brentford captain Christian Norgaard during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Everton has been overturned, with the midfielder therefore avoiding a three-game suspension.
Norgaard was sent off after VAR sent referee Chris Kavanagh to the pitchside monitor to review a knee-high contact made on Jordan Pickford while challenging for a loose ball.
Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams both disagreed with the decision, saying the 30-year-old "had to go for the ball, external", while Pat Nevin voiced his confusion in the previous post on this page.
Two red-card calls. Both wrong?published at 08:39 27 November 2024
08:39 27 November 2024
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Footballers and referees don’t always see things the same way, my lot argue that though the officials might know the rules better, we understand the actual game at a deeper level. Two classic examples occurred at the weekend.
Brentford's Christian Norgaard was sent off against Everton and I defy you to find a single top-level pro footballer who would agree with the referee's decision.
Yes there was contact, yes it could have been a serious injury to Everton’s Jordan Pickford, but no you should not show a red for a genuine effort at scoring, particularly when the Brentford player was not looking at anything else but the ball. Even if it accidentally leads to a horrific collision, this is not reckless play but nothing more than an understandable accident.
Slow motion replays and close up freezes of the contact are grossly unfair, simplistic and unhelpful. Note the lack of anger from Pickford afterwards, he understood, even if non players don’t always get it.
A few hours earlier in the Chelsea v Leicester game, Wilfred Ndidi's ‘done’ Cole Palmer with a rake down the back of his Achilles. The referee went for a yellow card, but I suspect over 95% of pros would argue that it should have been a straight red, even if it does look less serious than the Norgaard tackle on first watching.
'Delight and mutual admiration' between players, fans and Frankpublished at 12:31 26 November 2024
12:31 26 November 2024
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Maybe Brentford should play every away game with 10 men!
The Bees finally picked up their first point on the road this season at Everton on Saturday, despite the harsh dismissal of Christian Norgaard just before half-time.
And we also kept our first Premier League clean sheet in 14 games since a goalless draw with Fulham at the back end of last season.
Norgaard appeared to be going for the ball in the six-yard box, as he was entitled to do, but hurt Jordan Pickford in the process.
Most Bees fans were not even watching the England goalkeeper receiving treatment before realising that referee Chris Kavanagh had run over to the VAR screen, and there was astonishment in the away end when the red card was shown. Brentford could well appeal against the decision.
The point was earned by a superb display by goalkeeper Mark Flekken and some solid defending by the back four, still playing without recognised full-backs, including a brilliant last-gasp block by Ethan Pinnock.
There was delight and mutual admiration between the players, manager Thomas Frank and the noisy travelling contingent at full-time.
It was also a big day for summer signing Igor Thiago, who finally made his competitive debut as a 72nd-minute substitute.
The Brazilian, signed for a club record fee to replace Ivan Toney, got injured after playing 45 minutes of our first pre-season friendly, and had a good cameo appearance.
He held the ball up and also drew a key foul, both things we have been missing.
Thiago also seemed to have an instant two-way rapport with the fans and his return to fitness gives Frank more options ahead of a busy December.
Bees missed out on Vardy dealpublished at 08:03 26 November 2024
08:03 26 November 2024
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Former Brentford boss Mark Warburton told BBC World Service's Sportsworld that he was offered Jamie Vardy when he was in charge of the Bees but they did not sign the then non-league striker.
"I was at Brentford in League One and we turned him down for £600,000," said Warburton.
"An agent came and said we've got this non-league striker. He wanted £600,000. We had no data, no idea who he was - and it turns out it was Jamie Vardy.
"Hindsight would have been marvellous at the time, but unfortunately that one slipped us by."
Everton 0-0 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:39 25 November 2024
11:39 25 November 2024
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Brentford, which finished goalless.
Here are some of your comments:
Everton fans
Steve: Once again we were too timid despite having so many shots. Beto should have been on for the start of the second half and we should have been more adventurous with the ball going forward. As much as we owe a debt of gratitude to Sean Dyche it's obvious we're going nowhere and he should take a bow now and leave before it's too late.
Mick: How on earth does Dyche get away without criticism from the media, pundits and crucially Everton's non-existent board? There is nobody there to fire him. Anyone else would have been hounded out of any other club, look at Man Utd! Pathetic, one-dimensional hoof-ball from a bygone era. Dinosaur of a manager. Get rid now before it's too late.
Paul: Lots of effort but as usual lacking quality where it matters. Subs were late again and maybe if we had gone two up front from half-time the pressure might have told.
Steven: Another dreary and drab performance. Lacking any quality. I'd like to see someone coach the squad about the offside rule and how to take a corner. Given the fixture list, we needed the points. It's going to be a cold, cold Christmas.
Brentford fans
Symon: We'd have taken a draw and a first away point before the game. Ultimately, a clean sheet with only 10 men for nearly an hour - and creating the best chances of each half - feels like a moral victory. If players are going to be red carded for trying to score, as Christian Norgaard tried, then football will become a non-contact sport.
Nigel: The Bees were starting to take control before Norgaard’s unlucky dismissal as he tried to poke in a loose ball for an opener. We defended stoutly in the second period, although could have done better with a couple of promising counter-attacks. Although our passing wasn’t as crisp as normal and we allowed Everton too much space, I’ll take a point.
Sian: Given the circumstances, it feels like a win to get our first away points and first clean sheet of the season. Bit in two minds about the red. While I acknowledge that letter-of-the-law on dangerous play it's a red, at the same time it was also very harsh since it was a loose ball, and Pickford seemed to seek the collision more than the ball.
Nick: Hung on in. Perseverance paid off against a pretty poor Everton. Should have converted a few.
'Norgaard has to try and get that ball'published at 09:06 25 November 2024
09:06 25 November 2024
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Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams were in agreement that Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard was unlucky to see red for his challenge on Jordan Pickford in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Everton.
Norgaard was dismissed late in the first-half after catching the Toffees' goalkeeper at knee height while challenging for the ball.
Bees boss Thomas Frank said post-match it was "never a red card" and "there needs to be more common sense".
"I agree with Thomas Frank," Premier League record goalscorer Shearer told Match of the Day.
"I think it's two players running towards the ball at pace. Norgaard has to try and get that ball otherwise his manager says 'why on earth are you not going for it?'
"It's one of those that doesn't look good in slow motion but he has to go for that ball. It's completely accidental and I would have loved Chris Kavanagh to say to the VAR official who sent him to the screen 'no, I saw it on the pitch and didn't think it was a bad challenge and I'm going to stick with my decision'.
"I think he should have done that."
Former Everton defender Williams added: "I agree with everything Alan said. Even though he goes to the monitor you'd like him to to say, 'I've seen it and I don't think it is a red card'."
'Never a red card' - Frankpublished at 18:11 23 November 2024
18:11 23 November 2024
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Brentford boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "There's a lot of positives to take from the game. Mentality, effort, character, defensive principles. The first clean sheet of the season, first points. I think it was well deserved. We got the biggest chance in the game. We were definitely low at times but I'm very proud.
"It's never a red card for me. The ball is coming across and he's only looking at the ball. Pickford is moving around and it's very unlucky with the contact to the leg, he's actually pulling out. It would have been a big injury to him potentially.
"You can see the reaction from the players on the pitch who are close to it, no reactions to it. There needs to be more common sense and understanding on how the ball is played.
"After the game, several Everton players said it's never a red card. We will appeal it. If this is a red card, the game has changed and I don't like that. I had a good chat with the referee about it. If it has changed then we need to be consistent in the future. It is a contact sport, they know that. I don't like the way it has changed in my opinion."
On Igor Thiago's debut: "It's big for him, he's happy and smiling. it was very good to get him on the pitch."