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Daily Brentford Weekend Match Review: Familiar Problems at the Gtech
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This is your Weekend Match Review, where we analyse another home defeat this time against Aston Villa, taking our winless home run to 7 games. We discuss our defensive shape, penalty appeals, running out of ideas and much more.
Host: Daniel Toppin
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Transcript
Introduction and Listener Support
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Daily Brentford podcast with myself, Daniel, where today we'll be looking back over familiar problems at the G-Tech at the weekend as the bees came unstuck against European challengers Aston Villa.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just before we get going, guys, we're a brand new company, so we're looking for your support this season and beyond as we look to bring you the best and most in-depth coverage across the entire network. Whether this is a five-star review on your favorite podcasting platform or recommendation to your friends, we are very grateful for any support.
00:00:38
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that we are able to receive.
Team News and Injury Impact
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's get stuck straight into this one. Another disappointing afternoon at the GTEC. It seems to be becoming the common theme at the moment, just as our waveform has turned itself around.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of team news, Christian Norgaard returned, which was always going to be a boost to the side. And we saw Matthias Jensen back on the bench. I think with Jensen in particular,
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not been at his best this season. and He's had probably his most injury-disrupted season at Brentford so far. um All I want to see from him now is to, you know, remain injury-free, maybe get back into the team, maybe that midfield free of Norgard, Jensen and Damsgaard. I'm hoping we can see that at times this season for the remaining games and hopefully he can get back to somewhere close to his best because when he's at his best, you know, he provides goals, he provides assists.
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he, alongside Mikhail Damsgaard, I would expect to be the most creative players in the side. And at times, in these types of games, we need all the creativity we can get because we've struggled for ideas again a little bit here, particularly in the second half.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
When we had a lot of possession, we appeared on top, but we didn't really create a lot out of it. In terms of the rest of the substitutes, Benz, there were still more blows. which probably doesn't surprise Brentford fans by this point. There was no Michael Coyote who was suffering with a minor injury. That meant Pinnock continued in the side at setback alongside Nathan Collins as Christopher Iyer had to stay at right back.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pinnock did okay, I think, here. Certainly much better than did against Everton. um It's good to see. I think I still really, really like Pinnock as a player. He's done a lot for Brentford.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe and I do definitely think when Vandenberg comes back Pinnock probably steps aside again and maybe I do think he plays maybe the Ben Mee role next season but I'm pleased to see him having a decent game again there was also no Fabio Carvalho who dislocated his shoulder in training what is going on what are we doing in training He had surgery on this, so it will likely be out now for some weeks, which is another blow because if you look at our depth options in recent weeks when we haven't had Jensen in the side, then Fabio Cavalli has been the obvious attacking um substitute that we've got available to bring on. And we don't have that option anymore. When you look at the likes of um Marcus Rashford and Don Yarmouin coming off the bench for Aston Villa, I think that is the key difference between the two sides, especially in this game.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ewan Morgan was on the bench again, scored lots for the B team.
Youth Opportunities and Strategic Questions
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we need to chase the game, I'm not suggesting that this will necessarily work, but should Thomas Frank at least try something different? Should he try some of these younger players?
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he's on the bench for a reason. We obviously have high hopes for him. Could he make a difference? You know, could we at least try and see if he makes a difference? because I thought towards the end of this game in particular,
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were really struggling for ideas, lots of balls into the box, but no real end product and the likes of Mings in defence were able to deal with this every single time.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Talking of Aston Villa, their main team news was that Robin Olsen was in goal over Emi Martinez, which was a blow to them, but did Brentford test him enough? Did we put enough pressure on him, but particularly at set pieces and situations like that?
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not too sure. I thought early on, maybe when we, when we, hi when we, um, did the high press. I thought Villa had some problems playing out of the back, but we just did not really sustain that, which is a bit of a shame. I think whenever a side is putting out their second choice keeper, although Olsen is...
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
more experience, certainly more experience than Valdemarsson. and Could we have done a bit more to test him, um given that he's not fresh and he's not playing fresh he's not playing a lot of minutes this season?
Aston Villa Match Analysis
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was no Marco Asensio on the bench for Aston Villa either, despite his goal-scoring form for Villa, whether him and Martinez had knocks and were just being treated as a precaution for their European game, which is on Wednesday evening, I don't know.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But again, on the face of it, it is a little bit of a boost to us. There were fewer changes, though, than I expected from their European exploits in midweek. Only, i think, two or three changes. And one of them was Jacob Ramsey coming in, who's not a bad replacement at all and was their first choice in that position for a long time this season before Marcus Rashford came in.
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ollie Watkins continued his great form against Brentford, got booed every time he touched the ball. but had the last laugh, ran into the corner with the Aston Villa fans this side in a more low-key celebration.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
The likes of De Sassi, Conser and Mings, I thought were also so very, very good in defence. We'll go on to talk about the penalty shouts on De Sassi's challenges on Sharda, but I thought as a collective defensive unit, they were dominant in defence. And like I said, they just dealt with the crosses that we put in um from start to finish.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like I said, again, the likes of Rashford, also Matty Cash and Don Yon-Marlene off the bench. I think that's the biggest gulf between the sides at the moment. You know, when we need to change a game, we don't have those options on the bench currently.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
thought Jensen came on too late. I thought he should have come on earlier. But aside from that, I do sympathise with Thomas Frank to an extent that we don't have a lot of options. The likes of Brian Abumo was not quite on it again and we just don't have alternatives if um Plan A is not working. So...
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we should be trying the youngsters. Maybe we should at least be giving them an opportunity, given that we have not too much to play for in the league. And, you know, we really needed a goal in this one to try and um bridge the gap between us and the teams challenging for Europe. But there's every chance and it's more likely than not that that wouldn't have worked either. um So I do understand Thomas Frank's slightly frustration. And that is the difference between the sides and the substitutes Aston Villa were able to bring on.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
After the break then, i will be going into how the game looked itself um play by play.
00:07:47
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00:08:04
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00:08:20
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Hello and welcome to part two of your daily Brentford podcast. Let's get into the game itself then.
Brentford's Defensive and Offensive Review
00:08:25
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i fought Villa in the first half and largely on the front front foot and Brentford sat quite deep.
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I'm not too sure why. I'm not sure whether that was the intention. Of course, in these types of games against quality opposition, you know, the other team can do something to cancel you out. We've got to recognise that they will have times when they're on top in the game and they they will have a period of dominance.
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And during those times, you know maybe it is the best thing for us to do to sit back and soak that up and and try not to concede in those in those times. However, I did think early on, when we were high pressing, we were a bit unlucky not to get a break. um as As I mentioned at the beginning, you know with Olsen in goal, maybe it unsettled Villa's defence a little bit.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was almost a defensive mix-up when um Villa were trying to play out from the back. Wisser couldn't quite get control of it to tap it home. But that shows what we can do with high press. It shows what we we do in in high-pressure situations.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we weren't confident that we could handle the transitions if Villa played through it. Maybe we just weren't able to keep that up for the majority of the first half. I don't know. But that's just something I wanted to know to begin with. But after that, I thought it was mainly Aston Villa on top.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tyrone Mings in particular, I think, should have done better with a free-kick opportunity. Poor defending from Brentford's point of view if that had gone in. Tyrone Mings, luckily for us, didn't get a clean contact on it. Otherwise, you'd back him to score there. If he was a striker, I think you'd back him to score there, definitely.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Pinnock didn't seem aware of the danger behind him. Shortly after, Pinnock again almost turned into his own net from a Tielemans header across goal, but very good clearance in the end. He's got to be very careful of those ones. You see them so often.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Defenders turning it into their own net because they're not able to clear it wide or high enough. and So we got we got away with it a little bit in the first half without giving away anything clear-cut.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if we're looking back to the Everton game, I thought we gave away more clear-cut opportunities there. um But in the first half, there was a little bit of a tinge of disappointment that we you know weren't quite in the game as much as we wanted to be. With the home side, Villa have a poor record after European competition.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we could take advantage a bit more. Maybe we could be more on the front foot, which we wasn't, unfortunately, in that first half. The second half we began in more of the same way. we started very poorly, and I don't think it's the same.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um don't think it's the first time I'm saying it this season that Brentford have started the second half slowly. I think it is a little bit of a problem at times. And Watkins found himself out wide in open space.
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure where Christopher Ayer was. He was out of position. But then, given that Watkins is on that left-hand side, he's got so much space. Ayer's out of position.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Collins needs to move over. Pinnock needs to move over. KLP needs to move over. The whole back three need to move across to cover their teammate who's out of position. And That wasn't done. Watkins was wide open, allowed to bear down on goal. Collins went to go for the block, but was never close enough. He was not close enough to engage. He's got to do more to put pressure on Ollie Watkins here.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it took a deflection off him, went right through Mark Flecken. And I don't know whether to suggest whether Mark Flecken should have done better with this. What I will say is I think it's very disappointing for any goalkeeper to be beating at their near post, particularly if it goes through their legs, if it goes through the keeper, Flecken will probably be disappointed with that one.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you can use a caveat that it took a deflection. He may well have saved it if it went to his intended destination. But, you know, we've we've we've got to be doing better in these situations and it is very avoidable, um this goal, in terms of Collins and the initial engagement. And then maybe Flecken should have done better with the save. But, you know, like we say, with goalkeepers...
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
He saved us against Everton with the three one-on-ones. He made another one-on-one save in the second half against Watkins in this one. You know, if if you're got if a goalkeeper, though, makes a mistake, often it is costly to the extent of a goal, which it was here. Let me know if I'm being a bit too harsh on him, given that it was a deflection. But i think maybe just close your legs. you could have done a bit better with that one. c Incredibly, it we was incredibly lucky not to concede another goal. One minute later,
00:12:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
with a very close offside, Watkins works his way into the box, manages to spread across to Morgan Rogers, who taps home.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And at that point, I was thinking our old mentality is starting to kick in, you know, to a poor start to the second half and two goals conceded in a matter of minutes. You know, we're not able to stem though stem the tide at times when momentum's against us.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, just take a minute or two to regain composure, regain control of the ball and get gain control of the game. And maybe, you know, you wouldn't be in those
Penalty Controversies and Creativity Struggles
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
situations. But I think we're incredibly lucky on that occasion with VAR. I think in a world without VAR, as much criticism it gets, I don't think tight offsides this would get picked picked up because it was it was virtually level. there There was a matter of, you know, inches determining that he was offside. So I think, you know, without VAR,
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
it would have been 2-0 to Villa and it would have been very, very difficult to get back into the game at that stage. But as it was, you know, it wasn't given. And that riled the crowd up a bit and that got got them back onside. And we looked better after this. We had a lot more possession. We had a lot more territory. Aston Villa were quite content to sit in a low block of their own.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we found that incredibly difficult to break down. And I've got to talk about the penalty shouts in the second half. they They would have been on another day our route back into this game and possibly winning the game.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on another day, we could have potentially seen two penalties given. The first one, De Sassi in defence takes out both Matty Cash and Kevin Sharder. He did slip into the challenge, but I think that's irrelevant when determining whether it's a penalty.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you slip and you completely take someone out in the box, it is a penalty. This is how the game works. ah it doesn't have to be intentional. there's nothing in the rules to say it has to be intentional.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got to, there were there was some talk, especially on Matcha Day, about where the ball is going, whether Shada gets to that ball. But again, I think if it's a foul, it's a foul. If you take out someone in the box, regardless of whether you are going to get to the ball or not.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think there is a chance that Shada was going to get to the ball, given his pace. And the ball wasn't that far ahead of him. I don't see how that's relevant though. If you're taken out into the box, I think, you know, it it's more likely than not to be a penalty.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think like the second one as well, I think it's one of those situations where if it's given, it doesn't get overturned. But for whatever reason, VAR didn't deem it um a complete and obvious error, likely for the the things I've mentioned. um And they did they didn't give it ultimately.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Unlucky on De Sassi's part because he did slip. He didn't mean to take out certainly his own teammate as well. But you know these things happen and it's unfortunate. And I guess this is a frustration because on another day with another referee who does give that, you know, we'd be one all or two one up with those penalties. And...
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
potentially on course to win the game. um And that's the frustration. It's not consistent because VAR will only intervene if it's a clear error. And they would not have intervened if the decision had gone the other way either.
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second shout was a push again from De Sassi on Sharda. I think the clear clearer thing to me on this one was there was clearly a hand movement from De Sassi towards Sharda's chest, shoving him out the way.
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and again, you've seen them given and, you know, potentially VAR could get involved there, you know, on the basis that there was a clear hand on his chest, pushing him out the way.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think De Sasse was lucky. I think he had a really, really good game overall, but I think he was lucky on these occasions not to at least give away one penalty. But like I said, i think there was not, there was not enough for VAR to overturn either incident.
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they would have been both given, though, if they were given on the pitch. I don't don't think they would have been overturned either. Sharda, I want to talk about a little bit himself. Obviously, he he got himself into positions to to be um in the place of potentially winning a penalty or two.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
he had a few half chances throughout, hadn't had an effort um which was saved by Olsen. There were a few times when the ball was arriving to his feet in the box. He spent a little bit of time to get the ball down. Didn't quite have enough time to get a shot away, but I certainly think out of our front three, he was probably the most lively of the three.
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah didn't say too much. I thought Wissler and Bumo had quite poor games, but I just wanted to mention Shard because I think since the turn of the year, I think he's been a bit more consistent and he's shown a bit more what we want to see week to week, even if he hasn't been on fire every single week. I think he's put in...
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Higher level of average performances. So and I hope that continues. And I hope that we do see that going forward. That it doesn't go back to being a bit hot and cold. Like it was before.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms Brentford's other chances. Our best chance came from Keane Lewis Potter's effort. Off the post on the edge of the box. Something we don't usually try very much. We don't usually try long range run long range efforts. We look usually look to make the extra pass. And find a clearer opportunity.
00:18:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It was unlucky again, hit the post, you know, KLP, I've criticised him this season for maybe putting too many ah of his efforts straight at the keeper. I mean, if that found the corner, it had definitely been his best goal for the club.
00:18:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought he was man of the match overall as well. I thought um he was very good going forward and defensively as he has been. And I, you know, I'm convinced at this point he's a left back and,
00:18:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, if Tom of Tuchel is to perhaps consider playing a back five for England, could KLP be an option at left wing back? I doubt it. But, you know, with Justin Cotterane, the Brentford coach now involved in his set up, you know, maybe he'll be giving him um a few words as to whether the KLP could be involved in the squad. And it would be great if we saw another Brentford player after Ivan Tony last summer become involved with England.
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Otherwise, second half, I thought we did not find enough ways to attack. Lots and lots of crosses towards Whissa. But De Sassi and Ming's dealt every time.
00:19:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, a lack of creativity, particularly from set pieces. We tend to get a lot of corners because we put a lot of balls into the box. Normally, Ming's or De Sassi win those duels, but often they head it out for a corner. um But I just don't get excited when we're getting set pieces at the moment.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
when when we When we have corner situations... Can we put more pressure on the goalkeeper considering he's their second choice? Can we make it really difficult and horrible for them to defend? Can we try new different creative routines? I thought Dam's guard especially hit the first man on far too many occasions. And it's just disappointing because what what we used to be a team who stood out for our set piece ability. And we're not really doing that this season, maybe from throw-ins.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're doing well defensively. Keith Andrews has to take some credit for how he set us up defensively from corners, but we need to do much, much better going forward, I think. And that is the real disappointment. We need to also find different ways to attack. Can we find Damsgaard? I thought Damsgaard was, unlike himself at the weekend, he was quite quiet, struggled to get in the game. But can we find him in pockets? Can we get him to play those intricate passes through the lines?
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can't always look to cross it without a target man type of Ivan Tony or Igor Tiago up front.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got to do something a little bit different, I think. And that is the frustration from this one.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ollie Watkins, as Brent Verlut for a winner, was through again late Tried to dink Mark Flecken, but he stood up tall and he saved it again, just like he did against Beto when we played Everton.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think he's been working on his one-on-one ability, I think. In the past, he used to go to to ground a bit early, and that's perhaps why Watkins looked to dink it. But Flecken stood up tall.
00:21:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Flecken caught It made it look like a really, really poor attempt to finish from Watkins, which it wouldn't have looked like if Flecken did go down. um It would have looked like a clever finish. um And I just want to shout him out for that. I think he's been working his one-on-ones, and I think he's had a good season. Although I said he may have made maybe could have done better for the goal he made up.
00:21:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
for it a little bit with that save and I think definitely in the last couple of weeks we've seen another side to his game in terms of his pure shot stopping in front of goal that will do for today then Brentford looking unlikely i would say particularly given our fixtures coming up now that we will break into that European competition I think the gap is it's too big and we don't have the consistency and to reach that so Not a lot to play for. I'd like to see us, you know, really go for some of these games in the coming weeks to show what we can do and start perhaps preparing for next season. I think it's a shame.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
think it's a shame that we're out of the cup as well, um because that would have been really something to go for this season, particularly looking at the team still in the FA Cup. A lot of the big guns out. So it's a shame.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, we've got tools to take stock. It's been a good season. It could have been a better season. Yeah. There's still some games to go We'll see how we get on and we see we'll see if we can do anything. But I think it's very much unlikely at this stage.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that'll do for today. Thank you for listening to the Daily Brentford podcast. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode. And once again, we'll be extremely grateful for your support as this will enable us to go bigger and better moving forwards.
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Daily Brentford can be found on X, Instagram and TikTok under the handle at GSPNBrentford. And we'll be back again on Friday where we'll be previewing our visit to the South Coast at the weekend as you face another high-flying team in Bournemouth.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until then, from myself, thank you for being with me.