Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist
There were bits of wizardry.
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom magical players.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere were rockets.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd bangers.
Image source, Getty ImagesLandmarks.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd clangers.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhile some Guy's like Ruud are always remembered.
Image source, Getty ImagesIan Westbrook
Fan writer
Same old, same old...
Two weeks ago, after the defeat at Manchester United, I wrote that Brentford must stop losing points from winning positions.
But it seems we still have not learned our lesson and Monday's gutting derby defeat at Fulham is a very hard one to take. That result makes it 14 points lost, after taking the lead, already this campaign - the highest in the Premier League.
Don't forget that we lost 30 points from winning positions last season - also the most in the division.
If I have to be objective, nobody can deny that our west London rivals deserved something from the game. They dominated possession and chances, although very few of the saves Mark Flekken made were particularly hard.
We never really got into our stride up front but we defended well, putting in plenty of blocks, with Nathan Collins particularly outstanding.
A point for discussion could be the change of formation made by Thomas Frank when he bolstered our defence by replacing Bryan Mbeumo with Ben Mee late on.
It was an unusual move for Frank, who rarely makes defensive substitutions.
He did it against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season and you can understand why he repeated it on Monday, given the pressure we were under.
Whether it disrupted things is hard to say - I think it was just that holding out against the constant second-half pressure for 55 minutes, including stoppage time, was always going to be a tall order.
We have now lost all five of our away games - the first four being against big six teams - so we must pick up points on the road soon and stop losing leads.
Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external
The statistics show that there can be little argument Fulham were the dominant side against Brentford and got what they deserved.
But as Marco Silva said in his post-match interview, you don't always get what you deserve in football.
The home side had a total of 26 shots, compared to Brentford's five, but needed two goals in stoppage time to finally make their dominance count.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Premier League defender Stephen Kelly says Brentford's "in-game management" needs to improve.
The Bees have failed to keep a clean sheet for 12 consecutive matches and have lost 14 points from winning positions this season.
"It’s funny because there’s a lot of talk about Brentford and their early goals, their set plays, and how they’ve been so well organised," said Kelly on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"There are loads of positives, but then there is the in-game management and in-game play because they seem to be conceding quite a lot.
"At times, they are caught out of position and teams put crosses in against them, get behind their full-backs, and get into those areas where they can be dangerous. So it’s something they’re going to have to work on.
"But Thomas Frank has done amazingly since he’s been there. Every other week he’s getting linked with a job somewhere else. So I think Brentford will come good in the end but they’ve given up a lot of leads this season and it’s something that has to change if they want to get that consistency back."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Fulham and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Fulham fans:
Ben: Phenomenal performance in almost very department and our ability to win the ball back constantly was great. Nelson and Smith Rowe had great link-up play, but the cutting edge was so prominent. They nearly held on for it but Wilson got the win and, against Brentford, it doesn’t matter how because they’ve had the bragging rights for too long!
Bob: Frustrating! But what a player we have in Wilson. He needs to start ahead of Pereira or we'll lose him in the January window. Robinson is superb - he has amazing pace for a big guy and is another one we need to keep. We have the ability in the players we have, they just need to finish better. Too many wasted chances. We're looking up though and so we should.
Joseph: It is obvious that we were really dominant up top, but given that we had 26 shots, and only scored two, means that we really need to work on our shooting. We also need a better set-piece coach desperately - we still haven't scored from a corner this season. Brentford defended brilliantly, and good luck to them.
Andy: Fantastic result. Thought we weren't going to be able to break them down even though we set up camp in their half the whole second half. Sat watching it in an Icelandic pub and won over locals to supporting Fulham. Now we celebrate!
Brentford fans:
Tim: Weird substitution choices and a complete lack of possession or attacking intent in the second half did it for us. It wasn't so much Fulham's press, it was more our lack of ability to complete more than two passes. Another failure to keep a clean sheet is the biggest worry.
Will: What a gutting result. To hold on to 1-0 until stoppage time and let two in... it's just horrible. Feel like we sat back and you just can't absorb the pressure of that many shots, even if only half-chances, and expect to keep points. Our subs were ineffective, and theirs stole the show. Fair play to Fulham, though - they never gave up.
Paul: So tired of the Bees being so negative. Got what they deserved, I'm afraid. The whole team was very poor. You can't park the bus for 90 minutes - show some adventure. Just hope home form continues otherwise it's the Championship.
Gary: We were poor from the start and very fortunate to go in front from a great Janelt goal. It was downhill after that apart from backs-to-the-wall defending. Very poor all round - no control of the ball, no progression, no attack. It was all coming from Fulham. Worst I have seen Brentford play for a long long time. Must do much better and very soon!
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford boss Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Sport: "The better team on the day won it in the end. We lost it from a situation where we did everything right - credit to Harry Wilson, but he only scores from that position one in 100."
When asked whether it would be fair to say Brentford didn't match their usual level: "That would be more than fair. Every game has its own story - we mainly look at ourselves, but there's another team on the pitch who did well.
"Let's look at the end of the season and see how many wins we've got on the road. On paper, Fulham probably aren't the biggest team we've played, but they probably did the best against us in terms of dominating the game."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Fulham’s performance, external
What did you make of Brentford’s display?, external
Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 10, he takes on The Piano TV series winner Brad Kella.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
My first thought here was a Fulham win, until I saw Brentford won this fixture 3-0 last season. On closer inspection, they have a really good record at Craven Cottage.
They have played 12 games there since 1990, winning six and drawing five of them, so it seems to be one of their luckier grounds.
I'm going to stick with my instincts, though. Fulham were unlucky not to beat Everton last week and they have impressed me when I have seen them play this season.
I have a feeling they will get the job done this time, although it is going to be close.
Brad's prediction: 0-1
They are right next to each other in the table, so this is going to be close... but I'm going to give it to Brentford.
Newcastle United have placed Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo on their wanted list, with Brentford setting a price tag of about £50m for the 25-year-old. (Football Insider), external
Brentford will demand £60m for 25-year-old Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo in the January transfer window, amid interest from Arsenal. (Football Insider), external
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Defender Kristoffer Ajer "is progressing well" and midfielder Christian Norgaard "is fit and firing for Monday" after he was rested for the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
On being linked to the Manchester United and Chelsea jobs in the summer, Frank said: "I have said many times I am happy here in Brentford. I love it. I feel a responsibility to the fans, the players, the staff. I am extremely dedicated to do everything I can for this lovely club. I don't speak about what-ifs or maybes, what will happen in the future with me, I don't know. Maybe I am staying here for a long, long time. Who knows?"
He described Brentford as "one of the best clubs in the world" and said there are "very few clubs who are better with everything".
On facing Fulham: "It's a local derby and, in recent years, it has been very tight between the two teams - we have had some fantastic games against each other. Now, we're going to play Monday night, under the floodlights, Craven Cottage - a historic stadium - we're bringing 3,000 fans, and we'll do everything we can for them to get the win. I'm really looking forward to it."
He continued: "We're facing a very good opponent. Fulham have done very well over the last few years, I think Marco Silva and his coaching staff have done a top job in the way they have built them. They have started this season flying and they have probably deserved more points than they've got so far."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesYoane Wissa has been involved in 10 goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Brentford (seven goals, three assists). Across these appearances, Wissa has scored or assisted every 52 minutes.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford fans will be able to get 20% off train tickets when travelling to Bees matches being played outside London as part of a climate change collaboration with Trainline.
The Bees aim to encourage supporters to take part in the "I came by train" campaign because it is a more sustainable method of transport and becomes more affordable with the discount.
Brentford sustainability manager James Beale said: "We're pleased to be the first Premier League football club to be working with 'I came by train' and Trainline on this positive initiative.
"Making our club more sustainable goes beyond what we do at our stadium, it's also about the travel choices we all make. How fans travel can have a big impact on our carbon footprint.
"We're hopeful that this initiative makes it easier and cheaper for fans to make a better choice on travel for the environment."
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw has been made for the Carabao Cup quarter finals, with eight Premier League clubs having made it through.
For the first time in 14 years it is an all Premier League quarter-final line-up, with ties including Tottenham hosting Manchester United and holders Liverpool travelling to Southampton.
Matches are scheduled to take place the week commencing 17 December.
All the fixtures are shown below:
Tottenham v Manchester United
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Brentford
Southampton v Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup game between Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Shand: We could and should have been out of sight by half-time but were found wanting in the finishing. Fair play to Sheffield Wednesday, it made for a real interesting game of it in the second half. But a win is a win as we march on to our first major trophy!
Stuart: We made it difficult for ourselves but we managed to turn it around at the end! Credit to Wednesday’s keeper, he kept them in the game.
Duncan: Very good first half but needed another goal. It was a poor goal to concede and I don't know what Janelt was doing as he did not close it down. Very good penalties so onto the next round!
Stuart: Well that was harder work than it needed to be, but some fringe players have got minutes in their legs and we’re in the last eight, unlike at least 12 other Premier League clubs!
Ian: Brentford played some good possession football in the first half. Schade's first goal of the season will give him confidence. The second half started in the same way. A poor decision by Flekken and slip by Schade led to the equaliser. The game then became end to end. Penalties decided the tie and nine out of 10 were excellent.
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford reached the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup for the third time under manager Thomas Frank after beating Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.
It is another big achievement for the Bees boss who is highly regarded in the game.
Frank was again linked with a high profile job at Manchester United before Ruben Amorim moved into pole position.
However, Frank said the attention from the football world isn't taking his focus from the job he has to do at Brentford.
"I think it’s nice for the ego that someone recognised that I’m part of something that is going well," Frank said.
"We all know that it’s not only me there’s players, staff, leadership, club staff, strategy and all that. I’m not focusing too much on it.
"What I needed to focus on was today to do everything we could to get over the line. I have a big responsibility to Matthew, the leadership, the players, the club, the fans.
"I love it here in many ways. We have got one step closer to making some more incredible magic."
Newcastle United are keen on signing 25-year-old Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo in January, but the Magpies face spending restrictions. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Liverpool and Arsenal also hold interest in Mbeumo, who the Bees value at about £50m. (Newcastle Chronicle), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesMark Flekken was the shootout hero, but he was not happy with the role he played in Sheffield Wednesday’s equaliser.
The goalkeeper tried to launch a Brentford counter attack after catching a corner, but Gassama intercepted his throw and scored.
"At the moment I caught the corner kick I had so many possibilities but I took the wrong one," he told Sky Sports after the match.
"The mistake I made helpd a lot to bring our mental side down. It took away the control we had. It went from a controlled game to an open game. I need to learn from that.
"I went to the wrong side twice at the start [of the shootout]. That doesn't help your confidence in a shootout but luckily I saved the last one.
"It’s not the first and only mistake I’ve made in my career. I’m 31 now with quite some experience, that helps a lot [to come back from] a mistake like that."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Brentford's performance, external
Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies
