On Sky
In spite of the uncertainty surrounding their manager, Reading were able to take 3 points from a hapless Wanderers side last weekend. Under the lights at the Macron on Monday night we will see if the same can be said for Brentford, who have had just as much uncertainty surrounding their manager this week. Brentford looked to be appointing Pep Clotet until the club pulled out meaning Lee Carsley will remain in charge for the game against Bolton. Walsall boss Dean Smith is now favourite for the job.
Unfortunately Carsley is no fool. As interim manager he has won five games with Brentford, during a period in which Wanderers have failed to win. Every single one of you reading this knows Neil Lennon`s side are going through a bad stretch. A stretch that has gone on far too long to be called a “stretch”. It`s really been a bad year. Ever since Lee Chung Yong left, and we lost to Liverpool in January, but we needn`t get into all that now.
I, perhaps blindly, have complete faith in Neil Lennon, maybe it`s because of his past glories with Celtic, or because he seems like a good honest guy who says it how it is. Frustratingly I don`t feel the same way about our currently fit players. With mini maestros Zach Clough and Wellington Silva sidelined for 2-4 more weeks, I don`t have faith in our ability to put the ball in the back of the net enough times to beat Brentford.
Mark Davies is obviously another creative player, and one of the best in our squad, but he is currently playing deeper, and brings others into the game rather than doing the business himself. At the moment, there`s no one with the quality we need, so I`d like to see Mavies playing higher up the pitch (with Clayton starting at striker) until Clough is back.
Brimming with confidence after stealing three points in the 90th minute, from none other than our pal Dougie last weekend, it will probably take a lucky, gutsy, hard fought performance to beat Brentford.
Vital Quotes:
“They play good football, they play openly, so it`s a winnable game from our point of view” Neil Lennon
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Our only short term injury is Moxey, who`s back training but not able to play 90 minutes yet. Don’t expect the same 11 as last week, Lennon seems to be changing it up each game.
Player to watch: Liam Feeney
He`s been a scapegoat for too long, in a team with no pace, width, or creativity, Feeney is more important than he`s given credit for. He`ll run himself into the ground, and to his credit is our top scorer with 4 goals and top assister with a mighty 2. Even though we`ve only scored 11, he has done well to have had a part in over half of our goals. It`s also nice to know, that as a professional footballer, he doesn’t completely buckle under the pressure from 12 yards, unlike Gazza Madine, and the “experienced” Ameobi.
Brentford Team News:
Brentford are likely to remain unchanged after a spirited 2-1 victory against Forest last week.
Player to watch: Alan Judge
Judge is enjoying his first season as a regular goal scorer. The Bees top scorer has smashed home six goals from midfield so far this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Criticise our defence all you want, but both Brentford and Bolton have conceded 24 goals so far, but the Bees have managed to score 12 more goals.
Fun fact: Bolton have had the same amount of draws as table toppers Brighton.
Match Prediction:
A 2-2 draw in which we’ll end up disappointed we didn’t win in the end.
Next Fixtures:
Cardiff at home on December 5.