Brentford

Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at the London Stadium

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Most club record signings are expected to deliver from the get-go.

It was January 2023 when a 21-year-old Kevin Schade first arrived in the Premier League, initially on loan, before the move was made permanent in the summer at the cost of £21m.

At the time, Thomas Frank described the forward as "a young, promising talent that we see a big potential in". Director of football Phil Giles also made it clear they viewed the player as a long-term project, adding: "We look forward to working with him for the next five and a half years."

Brentford knew Schade would take time to settle, but to those outside the club, and in a world where attackers are often defined by their goal involvements, with just two goals and two assists across his first season and a half in the English top flight, their investment appeared to be questionable.

Context is always key to go alongside any data spreadsheet. What the numbers don't tell you is in the September of his first full season, Schade tore an adductor muscle while warming up for their game against Everton. The injury led to a seven-month, 30-match absence from the first team.

Yet, despite just 11 Premier League appearances, he still managed to better all of his team-mates when it came to the average amount of touches inside the opposition box per 90 minutes.

With a full pre-season behind him, the fully fit Schade we now see is one of the most transformed players in the Premier League when it comes to end product.

Seven goals and two assists speak volumes in terms of the turnaround. Yet it was clear to me watching at London Stadium, the 23-year-old's value isn't defined by those key metrics alone. He can play anywhere across the frontline and works tirelessly off the ball, which is essential for the Brentford high press.

Interestingly, Schade is yet to start more than three consecutive league games in his two years at the club. Managing his minutes appears key to maintaining a consistent level of performance.

Looking ahead to summer, Brian Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be entering the final year of their contracts, and there will be interest from other clubs in the duo.

I can't see a situation where both players leave, especially given the injury problems which have beset Brentford's latest record signing Igor Thiago.

But if they do decide to accept an offer for one of Mbeumo or Wissa, based on his current trajectory, Schade appears on course to step up and deliver.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans:

Hamed: No game strategy evident. No tactical adjustments evident. Disinterested players, most making not much effort. Graham Potter is clearly at a loss as to what to do. If we had lost 5-0, that scoreline would have flattered us. We are relegation fodder. Are those who whined to get rid of David Moyes happy with their handiwork? I am not.

Mark: The disappointment is the amount of time we have had to prepare for this game. Brentford could have been 4-0 up in the first half. That's not an exaggeration. Evan Ferguson came on in the second half and he andJames Ward-Prowse got us on the front foot. A draw was the minimum expected from this game.

Madge: Strange selection by Potter. Senseless to play Lucas Paqueta up front when Jarrod Bowen can do it better and we were overloaded on the right flank. That said, atrocious first half. As poor as it has ever been. Brentford could and should have been four up! The changes immediately helped but Mohammed Kudus' miss sums it all up. We could have played all year and not scored. Glad Ward-Prowse is back though. We almost had a midfield in the second half!

Simon: Two weeks of training to serve up the same old slow sideways nonsense first half. The high line against quick forwards was never going to end well. They could have been three up at the break.

Brentford fans:

Peter: Great first-half performance, but failed to put away a number of excellent chances, giving West Ham something to chase in the second half. A solid defensive display allowing us to keep a clean sheet and earn a third consecutive away win.

Philip: Brilliant to get three away wins in a row for the first time! Come on you Bees!

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford have gained a reputation as fast starters this term and with Kevin Schade's effort at West Ham they have now scored seven goals in the opening 10 minutes of their top-flight games.

However, while manager Thomas Frank can justifiably criticise his side for not being clinical enough to ensure the contest was virtually over by the break, he will be delighted by the manner in which they secured their victory.

Aside from one gilt-edged opportunity for Mohammed Kudus, his side barely looked like conceding a chance let alone a goal and goalkeeper Mark Flekken enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon thanks to the defensive discipline of those in front of him.

Brentford's only slight concern will be around the extent of Sepp van den Berg's second-half injury, with the Dutch defender forced off after being involved in what appeared a relatively innocuous challenge with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.

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Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Match of the Day on how he felt about today's victory: "Very happy, especially first half. We were in complete control and dominated through the first 45 minutes. The only and relatively big complaint was that we were not out of sight. I thought we could have been three goals up. We had two disallowed, hit the post, we had three or four other big chances and dangerous situations where we need to get more out of them.

"What I liked is that we were fairly in control of the second half. They had one good chance through Kudos but besides that not too much. Winning 1-0 away, with a good solid defensive performance, very very good.

"We were playing away against a good side and sometimes the nature of the game means you can't stay on top. Overall a completely fair and good win."

On Kevin Schade: "We are seeing more and more good things from him. He is growing into the role. He is playing and importantly training consistently for many months."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford goalscorer Kevin Schade has been speaking to Sky Sports after today's victory: "I think we left it all on the pitch, especially in the second half when it was very tight but I think we should have scored more in the first half. I think we should have scored many more to make it clear.

"I think we were very dominant in the first half but we had to keep going and fight to win."

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Leicester City v Arsenal (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Ipswich Town

• Fulham v Nottingham Forest

• Man City v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Southampton v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Brentford

• Crystal Palace v Everton (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here.

Brentford are not great away from home, while West Ham need to get something after taking only one point from their past three matches.

This has got a draw written all over it, really, but I am not going to take the easy option and go for 1-1 here like my guest has done. That would be boring!

Although Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are always so dangerous for the Bees, I am going to go with West Ham to win it.

New Hammers boss Graham Potter has taken over a difficult situation and he is finding it hard to get results - he has only won one of his five games in charge so far.

Their struggles are not on him though, and it would definitely boost their chances if he has Jarrod Bowen back from injury soon - he has been training this week.

Bowen scored a hat-trick when West Ham beat Brentford 4-2 in February last year. There won't be as many goals this time, but I am going for the same outcome.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Goalkeeper Mark Flekken "is ready and will be in goal" while Aaron Hickey "is training with the first team in parts" and is expected to return to full squad training next week.

• More from Frank on Hickey: "He has been out for 16 months. I will be happy the day he is involved in the squad, more happy when he comes on the pitch, and even more happy when he is starting a game. But when he has been out for so long, I don't want to be too excited before he is really ready."

• Rico Henry has "just been training on the pitch, but not with the team" so remains unavailable for Saturday's game.

• Igor Thiago "is still a bit away," with Frank unable to give a timeframe on the striker's return.

• On opponents West Ham: "I like Graham [Potter] a lot. He is a great guy and a fantastic coach. You can already see that in his West Ham team. His first step was to change the shape. There is some clear structure in what they are doing now."

• He said the Hammers provide a threat "offensively and defensively" and "have clear principles in all phases."

• On turning around Brentford's recent form after three defeats in six games: "We want to end up as high as possible - top half would be amazing - but it will be very difficult with very good clubs around us. What we need to focus on is performing well every week - and the first game ahead is West Ham."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Brentford have scored in all seven of their Premier League games against West Ham. That is the most times they have faced an opponent with a 100% scoring rate in the competition. The Hammers have only played Ipswich more often without keeping a clean sheet (nine matches).

After failing to win any of their first nine away Premier League fixtures of 2024-25 (D2 L7), Brentford have won their past two, and could win three in a row for the first time in the top flight.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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With Brentford safely mid-table and out of both cup competitions, it is not too early to start thinking about next season.

The Bees are now an established Premier League club, which is a remarkable achievement given the budgets and sizes of the sides with whom we are competing.

The squad is fairly settled but one issue which needs resolving quickly is the status of captain Christian Norgaard.

His contract runs out this summer, although the club has the option to extend it by a year, and not much has been said about what is happening.

Thomas Frank was asked about the situation before last month's Manchester City game and replied: "We are in dialogue with Christian. He is happy here and we are happy with him, so let's see."

After the 2-2 draw with the champions, in which Norgaard scored a last-gasp equaliser, Frank said: "We are always better when he is playing."

He is correct - Brentford's record without the Dane is much poorer than when he is playing in the side - so this leaves us fans wondering what the delay is in pinning him down to a new deal.

Could it be his age? He will be 31 next month and the Bees have few players over the age of 30 years old in their squad. Plus, Norgaard is already our fourth-oldest player.

Or could he, like Henrik Dalsgaard and Pontus Jansson before him, simply want to go back to his native Denmark?

All fans can do is speculate and hope the club will agree a new contract with Norgaard. He has played a vital part in our progress since 2019, and it would be a massive loss if he left.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Is there something you want to ask about a Premier League club?

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha is ready to answer your burning questions and give his thoughts on some of the biggest talking points for a special Q&A.

Submit your questions here and come back on Thursday for his answers

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We asked for your views on one thing nobody is talking about at Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: The amount of injuries (long and short term) needs to be addressed. Da Silva and Hickey have been out for years. Nunes signed last summer and we've never seen him. Thiago and Rico Henry both out again. At one point we had an entire squad out injured; something's not right somewhere.

Benjamin: How the defeat to Tottenham highlighted how important Flekken is to the way we play. It's not about Spurs' first goal (though a more experienced keeper would probably command his six-yard box a little better). It's about how, throughout the game, we played short from the back and drew Spurs onto us but couldn't then find the pass out to a full-back to break the press and drive into space. Sweeper keepers are often rationalized by the idea that "they create more goals and control than they concede" when they make a mistake. The Spurs game was a perfect example of what Flekken brings to Brentford but most fans don't notice.

Richard: I think we have actually been playing better than this stage last season. Bear in mind we have been without our regular full-backs for nearly a season and a half with long term injuries. Our major new forward signing has barely played this season due to a sequence of injuries. Some players may have been distracted over the last month by transfer talk. And the standard in the Premier League this season has been much higher than last year, when all three promoted teams were very poor.

So we will continue to punch above our weight and I'm sure will pick up, enough points in the second half of the season to be safe.

Paul: It's still an incredible story we are in the Premier League and the last season and this one have been heavily impacted by injuries. If we had Thiago fit it gives another option to go long and release pressure. You can see the blueprint is there. It's just so frustrating for Thomas Frank he can't show it. An attacking mix of Mbeumo, Wissa, Thiago, Schade is up there as the most threatening in the league. It's a fabulous club, well run, kind and sometimes that's more important than anything.

Brentford have one win in their past four league outings and are also out of the FA Cup - though there has arguably been plenty to like in their performances.

Is there something at the club that needs addressing?

You know the Bees best, so we want you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about but should be.

Let us know here

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Brentford's January transfer window was as it always is these days - quiet.

Gone are the days of having to sell our best players for financial reasons during this window, as used to happen when we were in the lower divisions - Paul Smith and DJ Campbell being two names who spring to mind.

Instead, we can ignore underwhelming bids which may come in - such as Nottingham Forest's £22m punt for Yoane Wissa - safe in the knowledge that we do not have to sell anyone mid-season.

I was never worried about us losing Wissa or Bryan Mbeumo, and it is nice to be able to relax as the window "slams shut"!

It was one right-back in and one out in the first-team squad and, as I discussed in part last week, three long-term contracts signed.

Michael Kayode arrived on loan with a view to a permanent move from Fiorentina and made a great cameo debut against Spurs on Sunday.

He replaced long-serving Mads Roerslev, a member of the squad which won promotion to the Premier League, who joined Wolfsburg on a similar deal.

More importantly, we secured the long-term future of three players.

Two of them are Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter, who have both starred this season and finally showed the form we had hoped to see from them.

And we have kept faith in Aaron Hickey, who has been out injured since October 2023, by extending his stay with us too.

None of this really changes our prospects for the rest of the season.

We are not going down and probably will not qualify for Europe, but I will take a solid mid-table finish, and maybe our second highest Premier League position.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Brentford have completed the loan signing of Romelle Donovan from Birmingham City.

The 18-year-old will join the Brentford B team for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, subject to EFL, FA and Premier League approval.

Donovan made seven appearances for Birmingham, before a loan move to Burton Albion at the start of 2024-25. He played nine games for the Brewers before being recalled.

Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane said: "We look forward to working with Romelle in the months that remain of this season.

"We have a lot of exciting games to be played between now and the end of the season. Romelle will definitely add to our attacking options within the group.

"He is a player who has really good technical abilities aligned to our attacking style of play and he comes into a team that has been performing so well this season. We believe he can add goals and assists to further enhance the current group."

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Nottingham Forest had eyes on Brentford's Yoane Wissa as a potential striking target before the window closed but the trail has gone cold.

It was reported Forest were willing to pay in excess of £20m for the 28-year-old, who has scored 11 Premier League goals this season.

Brentford were not willing sellers and would demand well in excess of that fee to even consider a deal.

Forest had become increasingly pessimistic of any deal being sanctioned, while the Bees are in no mood to sell such a vital component of their attack.

We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Philip: To keep what we currently have and maybe add a centre-back, so that we have cover for Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock who are not getting any younger. Left-back is hopefully sorted and we have got cover at right back. Two more Mikkel Damsgaard's for midfield would be good. Up front it is about keeping what we have.

Peter: A proven central goal poacher.

Colin: Brentford need a big strong centre-forward to take the heat off Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa and put pressure on defenders. They can't keep relying on Mbeumo and Wissa cutting in and scoring. Too many games this season have been lost by the odd goal.

Theo: Not to sell any of our best players.