Brentford

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

After back-to-back away wins at West Ham and Leicester last month, there was talk of Brentford mounting a late push to get into Europe, although the home draw with Everton was a bit of a reality check.

Although I have already seen the Bees play in Europe, having twice travelled to Italy to see us in the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1992, I think a repeat next season is not going to happen - and here's why.

As I have said in previous pieces, this season Brentford have largely been very good against teams below us and pretty poor against those above us.

Of our 11 Premier League wins so far, nine have come when we faced teams in the bottom half, with the only exceptions the home defeats of Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Given that our next seven games are all against top-half teams, including trips to Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, the chances of such a dramatic switch in form at this stage of the season seem remote.

But that's fine!

I will take a nice comfortable mid-table Premier League finish any time after years of watching us in the lower divisions. While that might not sound ambitious, it is still only four years into our Premier League life.

I would have preferred safety in the league to go hand-in-hand with a nice cup run, but in the FA Cup that would have been unlikely this season, given that our conquerors Plymouth were then drawn against Liverpool and Manchester City.

The remaining games might be the perfect opportunity to give more time to one or two of our youngsters in preparation for any possible big-name departures in the summer.

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Brentford and Fulham have expressed an interest in signing Mexico centre-back Johan Vasquez, 26, from Genoa. (GiveMeSport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Aaron Hickey played the first 45 minutes for Brentford Under-21s as they won 2-0 against Birmingham City Under-21s in the Professional Development League.

The full-back made his first Brentford appearance since October 2023 and combined with Isaac Holland before curling an effort into the top corner.

The Scotland international will hope to build on his positive return as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Hickey joined Brentford from Bologna in July 2022 and signed a new contract with the Bees last month, committing his future to the club until 2028.

Before his injury, he had been a key part of Brentford's defence, making 37 appearances for Thomas Frank's side.

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Brentford have announced a change in ownership structure subject to approval from the Premier League.

In a statement on the club website, external, Brentford say owner Matthew Benham will transfer his shares to a new holding company as part of a change to the governance framework at Gtech Community Stadium.

Official supporters' trust Bees United will have its existing special share in the club replaced by a legally binding deed that ensures its ability to veto any proposed sale of the stadium and appoint a fan to the club’s board.

According to Brentford, this is part of a plan to "modernise" the ownership model as it will "provide greater flexibility" and "better position the club for future growth".

Benham "remains fully committed to ensuring Brentford FC's future", with chair Cliff Crown describing it as a transition to a "more conventional ownership structure".

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We asked for your views on Brentford's Premier League draw with Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

George: A fair result. We always suffer against teams that sit back off the ball in the first half, when our attacking play is at its strongest and it is a habit that has cost us many an early exit from cups against lower-league opposition. Everton were disciplined in their defence, and while Mark Flekken put in a great shift, we always struggle without Christian Norgaard shoring up our midfield.

Nicholas: A very flat performance from the Bees and lucky to get a point in all honesty. Amazing how the home form is now deserting us at the same time the away form is excellent. Funny old game!

James: Pretty lacklustre game all round. Flekken bailed us out of a Beto hat-trick. An even first half but Everton came out second half with more energy and desire. We never got going after that really. Thomas Frank, again, waited too long to make changes and didn't make enough; a lot of players looked tired.

Everton fans

Greg: We stuck at it and could have won it if we had someone who could finish. Anyone who thinks Beto is the answer is badly mistaken. Top marks to James Garner who was pulling the strings all game. Great to have him back. Moyes is doing a fantastic job.

Dan: On another day we win that. Three great chances for Beto and he could have slid Carlos Alcaraz in late on. But on the other hand, we could have lost that and before the Moyesiah's return, we probably would have. Good fightback and effort from the lads.

Ian: Beto, Beto, Beto - he has to put at least one of those chances away. Well done to the team to keep on fighting. A tough fixture that we should have won but came away with a good point.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford had goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank after salvaging a 1-1 draw against visitors Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The result meant Thomas Frank's side fell eight points behind fifth-placed Chelsea but it could have been worse for the Bees if not for their Dutch shot-stopper.

With the hosts failing to find a breakthrough at the other end, Everton had two gilt-edged chances to take the lead in the first half.

On both occasions, Beto went one-on-one with Flekken with the keeper emerging on top both times to keep the score level before Yoane Wissa pulled Frank's side ahead in the first-half stoppage time.

The 31-year-old keeper also showed good reflex to keep out Jack Harrison's inswinging corner at the start of the second period.

He also denied the Toffees a victory in the closing stages, once again advancing off his line to deny Beto in the 88th minute.

"We should give big credit to Mark because we still got the draw with three one-on-ones for Beto and he saved it," Wissa told TNT Sports after the game.

"We could have lost today but we didn't."

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Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think it's probably a fair result. We played a fairly good game but we lacked that cutting edge to make it 2-0. We controlled Everton really well.

"I don't think they had anything - except for the three one-on-ones. I know this might sound a bit crazy. But the first one was a Ethan [Pinnock] slip and the other one was a big mistake from us. So with that in mind, it was a fair result."

On goalkeeper Mark Flekken's performance: "He has been fantastic in many, many ways this season and that was three big saves."

On their home form: "Premier League is so even and so tight. It's very difficult."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action

• Brentford v Everton

• Man Utd v Ipswich

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Man City

• Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15)

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

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Brentford's assistant coach Justin Cochrane is to join Thomas Tuchel's England senior men's coaching team and will undertake the role in dual capacity with his responsibilities at the Bees.

The 43-year-old has been working for Brentford since June 2022.

"It's an honour to be asked to work for the senior men's national team," said Cochrane. "This is a really exciting opportunity for me and I'm extremely grateful to Brentford for allowing me to take on this role."

Cochrane, a young English coach with a well-regarded reputation for individual player development, is the final appointment to Tuchel's trusted team.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles said: "Justin has been doing a fantastic job for us over the last two-and-a-half years, and so this recognition of his coaching talent is very well merited.

"The exposure to different coaches, players and opponents will no doubt also be positive for Justin's ongoing development as a coach, as we envisage him being here with us for many more years to come."

This is going to be close. Brentford have had back-to-back wins over West Ham and Leicester, while Everton's improvement under David Moyes has been dramatic.

Moyes has done an incredible job but the Blues have not suddenly become world-beaters. I do think they will lose some games, and this is one of them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Having won their first two Premier League games against Everton in the 2021-22 campaign, Brentford are now winless in their past five against the Toffees.

Everton boss David Moyes has won one and lost five of his six Premier League meetings with Brentford, all with West Ham from 2021 to 2024. His 0.5 points-per-game against the Bees is his lowest average against any side in his managerial career in the competition.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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Brentford were just one of the teams this weekend who showed the huge gap which now exists between the established and the promoted Premier League clubs.

Our 4-0 win at Leicester means we have now scored 20 goals this season against the Foxes, Southampton and Ipswich in only five games – made up of one five, three fours and a three. This follows on from our 5-1 win at Luton at the end of the last campaign.

Our recruitment seems to have been much better than theirs – buying players in the Championship who we knew could easily also play in the Premier League.

Friday's starting line-up contained four of our Championship players and two more would have been involved but for injury. That shows continuity and brilliant forward planning.

The length of service of so many key players has also produced a superb team spirit, which has been one of our strengths in the Premier League.

This is between both the older and the newer players, and another great example of this occurred late in the game at the King Power Stadium.

Summer signing Fabio Carvalho has had a stop-start time with the Bees so far, making only three starts in his 19 Premier League appearances.

There has been talk in some sections of the media about him being unsettled, but whenever it has been raised in press conferences, Thomas Frank has defended the player, saying he trains well and his chance will come.

So after Carvalho scored Brentford's fourth at Leicester and ran towards us in the away end, it was great to see his team-mates looking genuinely delighted for him that he had scored.

The perfect end to our fourth successive away win!

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Christian Norgaard will miss the Everton game with concussion, while Frank said none of the players who missed the win at Leicester will be fit enough to return on Wednesday.

• The Bees have won four successive away games in the Premier League but have not won at home since 7 December, having previously been unbeaten on their own ground. Frank said: "If we can get the home form from the beginning of the season, it would be great."

• He continued: "We have consistently performed well at home, I know we haven't won in the past games, but we have shown good performances. It was a good performance against Tottenham but we couldn't score. We are a team that looks quite in sync right now so hopefully we can keep producing."

• On Mikkel Damsgaard's form: "He's changed our team this season. The 10 assists are extremely good, but there are so many dangerous passes through lines or getting out of situations - all the bits you don't see as not necessarily as a big chance. It's really nice to watch him play."

• On Everton: "I think Sean Dyche did a very good job. Maybe in the end, there was a little bit of running out of energy, but I don't know from the inside. What happens sometimes is another good manager in David Moyes comes in with fresh eyes and a new energy. In terms of style, I don't think they have changed too much. The main reason, maybe, is the change of personnel."

Catch up with Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

• Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea

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We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Leicester and Brentford, which the Bees won 4-0.

Here are some of your comments:

Leicester fans

Keith: An absolutely disgraceful performance. Van Nistelrooy has surely managed his last game. A reluctance to change out of form players and no motivation from the manager are sealing Leicester's fate, and six home losses with not one goal for the fans to cheer. Good riddance.

Chris: Awful. Definitely the most unlikeable and possibly the worst Leicester side I have seen in 30 years. I wish people outside Leicester fans would understand we're not expecting more this season - we're angry because obvious, unchecked mismanagement for the past four years has got us to this point. It is terribly sad and made worse because we all saw it coming.

Ed: Such a shame - a decade of proving we were a really well-run club is finally over. That was the worst first 45 mins I have seen at the King Power.

Jim: Absolute dross! I have always believed in the positive but there are no positives to hold on to. The manager needs help or dismissing. I would ask Nigel Pearson to lend a hand if he fancied it. It was his team that won the Premier League. Also, clear out the rubbish as soon as possible!

Brentford fans

George: Four well-taken, well-produced goals. Other than Flekken's gloves getting a bit of a try out in the first 15 or so minutes, Leicester never looked like they wanted to be there. But for Brentford, the spirit and determination within this side is undeniable. Is it time to renew our passports for a European holiday?

Ian: Wow! Brentford fully deserved this win. Damsgaard again being the architect. The Wissa-Mbeumo combination continues to cause defences havoc. Schade's pace is an added attacking ingredient. In fact, the whole team and replacements used put in a solid shift. Brentford are placed nicely for the run-in. Europe next season? Who knows, but keep going Bees!

Simon: At times we played like a top-six club. Damsgaard was excellent; Wissa and Mbeumo too. To think we don't even have a fit centre-forward…

Mitch: Brentford made easy work of a Leicester defence which couldn't handle the relentless pressure applied by Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade, and with Damsgaard in the form of his life, we looked ultra sharp. How Schade did not win a penalty for an obvious foul is beyond me, but another great day for the Bees.

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Brentford have won four successive away games in the top-flight for the very first time in their history – and the Bees' are currently on the longest away winning run by any current Premier League side.

Brentford scored three or more goals in the first half of a Premier League away game for the very first time, in their 70th match on the road in the competition.

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank speaking to MOTD: "Very good performance in many ways. It is not easy to win away from home in the Premier League. Coming here and winning 4-0 against a team that has to put everything into avoiding relegation, I am very happy with our performance and with the way we went forward and the chances we created. A clean sheet is very important. Overall a happy man."

On back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since April: "That's crazy. We have had a good season overall. Not through the roof, but good. We haven't had back-to-back wins so that is quite strange. To get over the line and get the win is important."

On impressive away form: "We haven't changed that much. We tried to be consistent with our messaging to players."

On substituting Christian Norgaard at half-time after he took a knock: "He didn't feel that well at half-time. It was the right decision."

On aiming for European places: "That is a big, big aim. We have dreams, we want to aim as high as possible no doubt about that and we want to push. It is the first time we had back-to-back wins, we need more further down the line before we can really dream. We are in a good place and can keep pushing."