We speak to the team at Vital Brentford ahead of tonight’s probable loss.
As we try and do every game, we get the lowdown on the opposition from those who know them best. We’ve spoken to our sister site Vital Brentford to talk analytics, tricky Irishmen and a possible triple wall.
How have you felt about this season? Did you expect the second season in the Championship to be tougher or are you a little disappointed not to have kicked on?
I think we all knew it would be tougher as we massively overachieved last year and this led to us losing virtually all our best players. In some games this season we have had only four players in the starting 11 who were there last season as well.
As well as this, we are with our third manager of the season which obviously hasn’t helped and has taken time for the new players to adapt and gel.
We knew it would be tougher and these factors haven’t made it any easier but I think every Bees fan would have expected to be higher than we are at the moment.
What do you think about the approach the club decided to take, with the whole stats driven stuff?
There are pros and cons to the way our owner runs the club. The current approach has led to us seeing one of our best managers in Mark Warburton leave the club and players from last season move on to other clubs as well. However, due to our financial capabilities we have to think differently and do things differently.
The stats based approach has led to us buying some fantastic players such as Jota, Gray and Odubajo. Although at the moment fans are sometimes confused with regards to the approach, we believe that this approach and support from our owner will prove hugely successful in the coming years.
What type of tactics should we expect from you?
That is a tricky question because Dean Smith is yet to really stamp his mark on the side yet and get us playing how he wants us to.
We like to play on the counter attack and finish our chances well. We have a side that keeps the ball well and primarily attack down the right. We play with a lot of width and have a side that are very comfortable playing short quick passes.
Also, if we get awarded a free kick look out for our infamous double/triple wall!
Any particular player of yours we should watch out for?
Now this is a much easier question! Alan Judge definitely. By far our best player this year. Scores, assists and does everything really.
He is quick and has a powerful shot on him for a small guy. Recently called up to the Ireland squad and continues to get us up on our feet every game!
Prediction?
Our form across the last ten games has been disastrous but I would like to think our brilliant performance on Saturday will give us momentum going into Tuesday’s game and we will get the win. I’m predicting a 3-0 win for the Bees.