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Wildcard Wednesday: Mid-Season Player Ratings
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This is your Wildcard Wednesday, where we take stock of the first half of the Premier League season and rate the performances of each individual player so far. We discuss emerging talents, star performers and who we think can improve in the second half of the season.
Host: Daniel Toppin
Instagram/X/TikTok: @gspnbrentford
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Transcript
Midway Review Introduction
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Daily Brentford Podcast with myself, Daniel, where today I have a special Midway Review episode as we analyse every player in the Brentford squad based on their performance over the first half of the Premier League season.
Call for Listener Support
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just before we get going, guys, we're a brand new company, so we are looking for your support over the coming 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 a recommendation to your friends, we are very grateful for any support that we receive. So then, the game at St. Mary's against Southampton at the weekend was the 20th Premier League game of the season.
20th Game Milestone Analysis
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
the first time Brettford had played the team twice this season and therefore we have just crossed the midway point of um the Premier League this time around. I thought this would be a good moment to check in on every player in the squad. I have rated every player in the squad out of 10 based on their performances so far.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
and we will talk a little bit about everybody who has featured in the Premier League this season.
Player Performance Reviews I
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's start then with the Brentford goalkeepers. We've got Mark Flecken, of course Brentford's number one, struggled a little bit last season, you could say, especially in the first half, and perhaps it was around this time where um we saw an uptick in form, particularly around when we played Manchester City and he made many saves to keep the score down that day i've given him eight out of ten because i think he has carried on ultimately that form for the most part this season the thing is with the keeper if if the keeper ever makes a mistake it normally results in a goal and i think we saw that um against arsenal on new year's day i think mark flecken was the first person to put his hands up that at the quarter he wasn't commanding enough
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
he came out to get the ball and didn't get it and was ultimately lost in no man's land. ah But I do think that's very much an exception to his performance is this season that I think in general, he has been solid. He has made more saves than anybody else in the Premier League. He has um been a part of team performances. He has won his points at times with top saves. And I've given him eight out of 10, because I think we can't underestimate the value he has to the team. And I'll say it again, it's very difficult to follow someone like damage rare, who is perhaps breakfast best keeper we've we've ever had. It's very difficult act to follow that. And I think with Flecken, you know, he showed this season that he is a decent goalkeeper.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on top of that, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the league when it comes to playing out um with his feet. And I think that's something that, given the way we we play and we're trying to progress this season, I think that's something that we cannot underestimate. Let's move on there to Hakov out in Marston. Now he's only played very limited minutes in league and and cup as well ah so i've given him a five out of ten that's not necessarily reflection on his ability i think i've given him the middle score purely because i think it sums up exactly my thoughts on him is that i don't know where he's at i don't really know i can't say with confidence how good he is if he was to have a
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah running in the first team, of course we saw him play the majority of the game at Brighton. However, I think in that Brighton game, Brighton's best spell came when Fleckham was in goal. And I thought that he did not have too much to do in the time he was on the pitch, but everything that he was asked to do, he did without too much fuss and he showed some ability with the ball at his feet as well. um In the Cup games, you could say something similar,
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It did concern me a little bit. I think it was possibly the Colchester game, the first League Cup game we had this season where here and and the defenders too seem to struggle a little bit with Colchester's long throws. But again, those sorts of games that Van Emarsen normally plays in the Carabao Cup, ultimately they're games that Brentford generally control and he doesn't have too many saves to make. so Just on Vadim Arson I think we need to see more of him so I've given him a 5 out of 10. Next up we've got Seth Vandenberg who's been utilised at right back and at centre back this season. I've given him a solid 7 out of 10. I don't think it's easy for a player to come into the side having
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
had very limited Premier League football in the past, although he he was on loan last season in the Bundesliga. And I think you can tell that he is used to playing senior football as a result of that experience and and experience previously in the championship as well. I think he's been solid enough, especially out of position, playing it right back for a lot of the season. I don't think he's one that you'll see bombing on up and down that right flank.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at the same time, I think he is solid. ah And given his age and his profile, I think we'll only see him improve as time goes by. so Yeah, I think he can be happy with his first few months at Brentford. He may have played more football than he might have even expected to. At the moment, of course, he is back at centre back. I thought against Arsenal, he didn't have the greatest of games. Maybe that is due to him maybe being rushed back slightly from injury. But I thought at Southampton he was good. And then let's hope in the next week and a half, it's likely to be a set about pairing of him and Collins.
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hope that he can build on those performances and grow even further into the team and then maybe at the end of the season we'll be talking about him with a higher rating. The next one is Ethan Pinnock, last season's supporters player of the year and this was a very very difficult one for me actually.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in the end, I've gone with a 6.5 for Ethan Pinnock. Now this might seem low and I love Ethan Pinnock and he's been a brethren for many years now and he's always been solid and reliable. And I think defensively in terms of pure defending, headers, clearances, tackles, I think he is still solid enough and he's doing a job for us. But I think the difficulty this season is that he has struggled I think on the ball, in terms of playing out from the back, I think we've seen him be more ah prone to making mistakes, which is a bit unlike him, whether that is the fact that he's been left one-on-one maybe too often, and the fact that that we're trying to be braver as a team has exposed him a little bit, or whether that's just a natural dipping form. I've seen Ethan Pinnock isn't getting any younger. I think he's into his 30s now.
00:07:38
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I think he is still an asset to the side but I think I just in my head I just had to rate him slightly lower than Vandenberg and and and a few others um based on this season I think I don't think he was close to being dropped from the starting 11 when he was when when he was starting and obviously he he is still our first choice set in the back alongside Colin when everyone is fit you would have thought but I thought if his performance is carried on for much longer and if he continued to make mistakes I think with a fully fit side maybe the likes of Ira and Vandenberg maybe did deserve a chance um in Pinnock's absence for a game or two um but I still have faith in Pinnock I think he can improve I don't think we'll see him be worse in this in the second half of the season when he's back and I think you know he has got
00:08:33
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gears to go and I think maybe he is just one of the players that have struggled a little bit with our transitioning style this season.
Player Performance Reviews II
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
On the contrary the next one is Nathan Collins and I have given him 9 out of 10. I think Nathan Collins simply has been one of our best players this season. I think if we think back to last year in his first season at the club he was either really really good or really quite bad in a lot of games and there wasn't much in between. I think this season he's fixed his consistency. I think literally in nine games out of ten, hence in nine out of ten he has been very very good for us and I think he is unfortunate not to be part of the defense that has more clean sheets. I think he is a modern center back, he is a young center back, he can still grow even further which is exciting and
00:09:30
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I think possibly if he continues at this level for two or three more years, we could see him moving on to even higher things in Brentford. I think that's how good he could be given his age and his ah career trajectory so far.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think with Nathan Collins that he is more comfortable in terms of playing the ball out for the back. I think he is also more comfortable being in one-on-one situations. He's captained Ireland, his national team this season, which must do him a world of good as well. And, you know, he's also known for going on Maisie runs sometimes and he's got quality on the ball. You can tell he he isn't shy.
00:10:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
in breaking through the lines and going on a run from center back and he's got a couple of assists out of that. Got a goal or two as well from set pieces. So yeah, Nathan Collins I think definitely in terms of defenders has been the standout for Brentford this season. Let's move on there to Ben Me. I have given him a 5.5 out of 10 and this again seems a little harsh.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think that Ben Mee's best days are probably behind him. Again, he's been a very good servant for Brentford. You only have to go back a couple of seasons when he was one of our best players. However, I think he is slowing down and that is no criticism of him.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It happens to everybody. He, I think is coming to the end of his career wouldn't surprise me if this is his last season in senior football. I think part of the reason I've given him this rating is the fact that he just hasn't played much. ah And I think, you know, that that is fair enough. I don't doubt that he is probably a very, very good influence behind the scenes in the dressing room. And he's a good player to have around the training ground.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did come in for a game or two before getting injured himself when covering for the likes of Pinnock, Mandelberg and Iyer who were all injured at the time. He did okay, I think he wasn't up against, especially against likes of Brighton, he wasn't up against the quickest of Centre forwards and he played against Forrest as well I believe. um So I think that served to protect him in a little bit of a way.
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and because i would I would have worried a lot more I think if he was up against a quick striker who could get around him because ultimately he is not as quick as he used to be I think also he is probably a bit uncomfortable playing out for the back if you think of his background he played in that Burnley team under Sean Dyche for many many years and playing out for the back is not something that they practiced or or usually tried to do So I think it again, it's something that's a bit out of the ordinary for him. But yeah, no no criticism about me, but it's a 5.5 for the first half of the season. Next up, I've got Christopher Iyer and I have also given him a seven like set Vandenberg. Now, if I had to compare his performances with Vandenberg, I would say Iyer has impressed me slightly more. Of course, both of them have played a lot of time at right back or left back this season. And I think when Iyer gets on the ball,
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like his driving runs on those positions and I think he is maybe slightly more versatile and a slightly more comfortable out of position than Vandenberg. The reason why I've given them the same score is ultimately Ayer's availability and it's been an issue ever since he signed for Brent for now.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
he does semi-regularly come up with these injuries, he struggles to stay fit for a long period of time and sometimes you've got to say the best ability is availability, when we've got a team who are off quite often depleted, I mean the likes of Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey aren't even in this review because of cause of injury. They like to do silver as well. And, you know, we all know the defensive problems we've had at fullback and it's at about this season in terms of availability. So I think on his day, he can drive forward quite well. I think maybe he can be exposed a little bit defensively if he's at center back at times, but I think he can do a job there too. And I think, um,
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
when he's played he's impressed me in terms of his driving manner, he looks like someone who actually can really do a good shift at at right back. And I think if him and Vandenberg will both fit, I think you'd have Io at right back and Vandenberg at left back. This section of the podcast though is generally about centre backs.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
There is one more to go. Obviously Vandenberg are centre backed by trade, I would say, but have played a lot of this season at full back. Anyway, the last out and out centre back with Brentford have is Kim Jie Su, and I've given him a five out of 10. Similar reasoning to Valden Marston, we just have not seen enough of him.
00:14:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
of course he was part of that Brighton clean sheet coming off of Ben V at the MX just after Christmas um and and he's not been required again since. I certainly think he's highly thought of amongst the Brentford B team and amongst the Brentford hierarchy. He um has some international pedigree already as well. and He was clearly scouted and identified as a staff, a potential star for the future.
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think as a teenager, it's very rare to see setbacks emerge and start playing regular men's first team football at that age, I think more so than any other position on the field. So I would reserve judgment on him. I think maybe he could do it bulking out a bit. I think the strength and power of the Premier League is something you'll need to get used to. But I've given him a five out of 10 again, because we simply have not seen enough of him.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is the first section of the podcast and then after the break, we will be going into full backs and defensive midfielders and rating how they've been getting on this season.
00:16:06
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00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to part two of your daily Brentford podcast. So let's get into Brentford's full backs and rate how they've been doing this season. Of course, there's not many of them. So I have merged this section with some of the defensive midfielders in the Brentford squad as well. Of course, a lot of the players have ended up playing at full back. We've already spoken about in the section on center backs and goalkeepers. So then Mads Roslev again.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I found this one quite difficult as well, but I've gone 5.5 out of 10. And I recognise that this could seem harsh, I think. Lately, in the last two or three games, he's been good. I think he's more towards a 6.57 in the last few games. Also, what I would say about Maz Rossev is he's nearly always available and you can't underestimate that.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is always there for us when we need him and he has been for a number of years now. He is perhaps the biggest success story of maybe Brentford's B team. I can't think of anyone else who's gone on to make more first team appearances than him. And that is every credit to him. I think he has done very well when called upon at times and we know he's got good games in him. But the reason for the rating of 5.5 is I would say he just has too many games where he's off it, too many games where perhaps he costs us. I mean, looking back at Fulham away, I do not blame him at all for the entirety of performance, but he was definitely he definitely played a part in it. I think at times he lacks the composure to stay on the ball and pick out a pass. At times he will just kick it away when he's not necessarily under pressure. I think
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
at times as well. He's got an english inclination to go backwards instead of passing forwards until being more creative. At times his crossing as well could do with some improvement. Having said that, in recent weeks he has been playing more forward. He almost had an assist away at Brighton. His crossing at times has been better. He could have scored perhaps against Southampton so he is on the right track in terms of but improving but the next challenge for him now is keeping that up consistently. So in the first half of season, it's a 5.5 from Azrozev, but there's no reason that that can't go up um as we enter the second half of the season.
Versatile Positioning and Adaptation
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
The next player then is Keen Lewis Potter. And although he is an attacking midfielder, I feel like he spent so long this season playing a left back that I've included him in this section. And I have given him an 8.5 out of 10. I
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm actually very pleasantly surprised at how he has settled into the left back position and to the to the point where there are some parts of me wondering whether this is actually his future and and where he could find himself at home in the Brentford side, ah at least you know supporting Rico Henry when when he returns. I think he has been a joy to watch in terms of patrolling that left hand side to the extent where we don't even always play an out and out left winger ahead of him, I think he is capable of getting up and down that left hand side very, very well. I think his ability on the ball, his dribbling, his ability to get the ball in dangerous areas is good. I think the area, the one area he needs to improve, which makes me think that perhaps he is slightly better suited to left back than a more attacking position at the moment.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
is his final ball, so that's the final shot, the final cross. um I'm thinking of the shot that David Rhea parried against Arsenal, although David Rhea almost made an error with that, it was straight at him. And I think that's what we see from him quite regularly, if that we are to put any criticisms and towards him. But that get that side of the game can improve, and I don't doubt that it will over time.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's all he's got to work on. I think if we look at him now, compared to a year ago, he has now found his place in the squad. He is deserving of the new contract that he's rumored to be i'm about to receive. And I think he has solved the problem of not having an out and out left back much better than anything we tried last season. And obviously you'll you'll recall that you now played there last season.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and it just didn't work ah as well as this does and I am very happy to see him thriving and finding a place in the team because he's another one who maybe had a bit of a slow start at Brentford but has now found his place. That's an 8.5 then for KLP. Next up is the final of the full backs and that is Jaden Meg Homer I've given him, you can probably guess what I've given him is a 5 out of 10 because we just haven't seen enough of him again. He has played briefly off the bench in the Premier League, but he's mainly played minutes in the Cup games. He seems very quick. He seems decent on the ball. He reminds me a little bit of a young Rico Henry.
00:22:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm hoping that's what he can go into. I think maybe it's too soon. I i trust Thomas Farron's judgment that it's too soon for him to play regularly in the Premier League. I think it's telling that he wasn't really getting into Southampton team last season either. And I think he just needs to keep working and, you know, make maybe again, get a bit stronger, get a bit more comfortable in the ball, get a bit better in one-on-one defensive situations against the very best um attackers in the league but then you know he's got the attributes he's got the place he's got he um if he can work on both sides of the game he he's got the physicality to get up and down that left-hand side and potentially be a good player for us and I know he's highly thought of and he plays at England youth level so although it's a five out of ten for now I'm hoping that we'll be talking about him in a few years in much more glowing terms. The next end as we move into more defensive midfielders or
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
midfielders that have been playing in the two in front of the back four. Obviously this season we've been playing with a number 10 quite a lot. So I've kind of separated the two number 10s that we generally have in Dam's guard and Carvalho out of this list. But we start with the captain, Christian Norguard, and I've given him an eight out of 10. Now I think with Norguard it's easy not to recognize his importance of the team. It's easy not to really notice him and it's easy to, and you know, unless you watch him closely, it can be maybe difficult to see how he stands out at times. But I think the biggest thing I can say about him is that we have not looked nearly as good when he's not been in the side this season. ah And I'm talking places like Tottenham away when, you know, and Yarmulie played there. I think Villa away as well, you know, and Yarmulie were in the midfield. and
00:24:02
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They were games that we struggled to get any foothold in the game or we struggled to get up the pitch. and We struggled to pull out from the back. And I think more guard, not just for his leadership, but also his calmness and composure on the ball. I think he's an asset and I think his ability to intercept and read danger as well is an asset. And I think he, um, for many years now.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
has been a solid player for Brentford, and that is why he gets an eight out of 10 for me. We move on now to Vitalian El, and I've given him a seven out of 10, and I think that is one of the easiest ones I've had, I think, because I think someone like, you know, he never, it's quite rare, I won't say he never does it, but it's quite rare that he stands out as the best player on the pitch. But what he will always give you is a six or seven out of 10 performance every single week.
00:24:56
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He can be versatile as well. He can play as a number six in the Norguard role. He can play alongside Norguard maybe as a bit more of a box to box number but eight. He can cover a left back if needed. He has played on the left side of a back of a back three before as well. He also is one of those players that is nearly always available. And when Norguard isn't always available, it is an asset to have. And I think he's been one of our best ever signings pound for pound.
00:25:24
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given that his transfer fee was probably around the half a million mark. So I think he has been a brilliant player for Brentford and he's been solid. And I think at times this season as well, he's added some goals and assists to his game. ah Perhaps a few more than I expected. I think he went on a really good run.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
around the time that we were playing Wolves and Ipswich, and we were having those high-scoring games at home. I think it was against Bournemouth, he had that really really good part with with the dummy and then the assist for Whissa for the goal against Bournemouth. I think he's shown quality this season as well that I necessarily didn't know that he had in terms of that much quality and and obviously the goal at Fulham as well was one bright spark of a very very disappointing evening for us so that is seven out of ten then for Vitale you know. Next up is Matias Jensen and I have given him a seven out of ten as well I wasn't sure where to downgrade this as to a 6.5 but I think
00:26:31
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What he gives us in that deeper role alongside someone like Norgard, and we saw it at the weekend against Southampton, is extra calmness on the ball, someone who's able to create from deep-lying positions. I think those long diagonals he can spray to Brian or to Shada or to the full backs of their bomb forward, I think that is a great thing to have. I think with his long throws and his ability to take set pieces as well, he helps us in those areas. And I think in terms of technical quality, he is better than both Norguil and Janelle and the players we're going to go on to speak about. so
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although he could have been available more, I think he has been out a bit too much this season for for what I'd like. And he doesn't always start because some games may want someone like, you know, in the midfield. If, if we see them as more difficult battling games with some games, I think called the incident. It's been difficult for him, I think, because I think dams guard has gone ahead of him in the pecking order in terms of playing us at number 10. But I think Jensen, there's still a place for him there.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think I like that Danish midfield free of nor guardians in a dams guard. And I think, again, he shows something completely different to it, to you, to, you know, nor guard and even dams guard um with, ah with ability to control the tempo of the game from deep. Next up, then we've got Yihoyam Molyukh. I've given him a 6.5 out of 10, which is probably higher than what I would have given him this time last season. So it shows his progression as a player.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he has been trusted a little bit more at times. We are starting to see him starting more games for Pemford. Certainly not every week, but when I see him, I still do think that he has quality on the ball. I still do you think we see you know a lot of bright things on him at times.
00:28:30
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And I think now he's just got to go through the hardest stage of this transition and he's got to show the next level. He's got to start getting involved in goals and assists. He's got to be much more consistent and solid on a consistent basis. He needs to be positionally aware. He needs to know when to go forward, when to press, when to um keep the ball and went and you know went when to go longer, et cetera.
00:28:54
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I think that can be trained into him. I think he is showing promise. And I think he is probably the one that is ahead of the other new beating graduates. I'm not including what's there in that, but I'm including the likes of, you know, GCU, Vadimos, and even, um, and and the likes of Meg Homer, Mag Homer, and Conack as well. So that's why I've given him a 6.5. I just think he's slightly ahead of them in terms of his development and how he's done this season. Next up then is Paris Mag Homer.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
who is, I've given a six out of 10 and that is higher again than a lot of the other B team graduates and and maybe it's a bit of recency bias. Obviously he's had a big step up this season from being alone at Bolton league one last season um to now featuring in the Premier League off the bench. I think he looks very tired on the tie D on the ball, similar actually to when I first saw Yarmoli at play for Brentford and It will be interesting to see the dynamic between those two. They seem to be going for a similar position in the side and you know who out of them two can grab that position. um It will be interesting to see, I think, in the second half of the season and beyond. And I think what maybe bumped up Mokoma in extra 0.5 is that bit of movement yeah had didn't in the build up to the goal.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
against Southampton at the weekend where he shimmied away from two or three Southampton players, Fed Bryan and Bummo, who then played it into King Lewis Posit to get his goals. So I think for me, that was one of the big, big pieces of quality that we have seen from him. um And it is exciting, I think, to see that from a player like him, to see what he can do going forwards and whether he can become more consistent with it. So it's a six out of 10 for Magcoma for me.
00:30:47
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Last one then before the break is Konak, Unisemre Konak, signed last January, got injured, so he's only really played a part this season. Again, he has had limited game time and we haven't I haven't personally seen enough of him yet, so that's why he's got five out of ten from me. Again, I do not doubt that he's highly rated.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's looked a little bit lightweight for me when he's come on the pitch but again I appreciate his limited has been limited so we shall reserve judgment on him and it is a five out of ten for him for now after this break then we will go on to the attacking players there are six left there are six of them left and they will be rated after the break and just as a forewarning this includes my player of the season and so far.
00:31:51
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Transformative Play Highlights
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello there and welcome to part three of your daily Brentford podcast. So then we start with our number 10s and our attacking players as we rate the rest the remainder of the Brentford side in the first half of the season. And we start with my player of the season so far, and that is Mikkel Dam's guard. And I have actually given him a 10 out of 10.
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That does not mean I don't think he can improve. I think he can add more goals to his game and I think if he does that he will really set himself out as one of the best players in this league. I think that is a difference between him and the likes of Cole Palmer at the moment. The reason though I have given him a 10 out of 10 is the fact that he is everywhere on that football pitch for Brentford. He has been given a free role. Nearly everything we do goes through Damsgard at some point. He is third in the assist charts in the league now. He has started to get one or two goals. Again, ah like as I referred to, I think that is, yeah, he could improve it even more.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think his improvement and the difference in his levels from last year to this year also warrants his score and the biggest compliment I can give him is there are games this season where we have struggled to create and when he gets the ball we look like we could do something and that does not happen when anyone else has a ball. And I think the fact that Mabuma and Whistler are doing so well in front of goal is largely down to this man as well. And I think there's been times this season where I've watched Brentford and I've just wished we had two of him on the pitch because he's he's that good. And he hasn't shown it for too long now. It's only really been this season because he struggled initially at Brentford. You know, he, he came with an injury.
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
he maybe struggled to get up to speed with the Premier League and and and the strength and the pace of the game. I think now it's a stark difference and even him defensively in terms of getting, being tenacious, getting those interceptions and then progressing the ball forward. He's always trying to go forward. I can't praise him enough. And I think he is almost nailed on to be Brentford's player of the season. It would take some drop off now, I think, for that not to be the case. So Mikael Dam's guard for me,
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
10 out of 10 and I think if we see this continue for another season or two he's got the potential to be one of the best bre players I've seen in the brand for sure. I think he just needs to show it for a little bit longer now and add a few more goals to his game. Up next then is Fabio Carvalho and I think he has been a bit unfortunate as he is a little bit of a victim of Damsgarh's success. I find myself um comparing him to Damsgar when he comes onto the pits because they play in the same position and I don't think it's fair to hold him to those standards at the moment because Damsgar himself took a while to adapt to the club and Damsgar is just an exceptional footballer at the moment. I think Carvalho has done okay. I've given him a 6 out of 10. I am a little bit disappointed I think. i would I was hoping for a little bit more from him
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he looks a bit lightweight at times. I think he's quite easy to take the ball off of and there's been occasions this season where the other team have broken as a result of Carl Valio not being able to keep hold of it. He has contributed a couple of goals and he has looked bright at times. He is definitely one who I think can improve and is definitely one that I'm hoping to speak about in a couple of years' time.
00:36:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
The way I speak about Damsgaard, because I do think, you know, the start of his Brentford career actually has mirrored and the start of Damsgaard's Brentford career. it's not been ah it's It's not been scintillating. It's perhaps been a little bit underwhelming. Of course, he's injured at the moment, just like Damsgaard also suffered with injuries. um But I am hoping that we see more from him.
00:36:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, even in the second half of the season, I think he will get opportunities here and there. Um, we have a good side going forward. We've got good players that he can feed off of. So I do expect to see a little bit more from him, but that is six out of 10 in the first half of the season for Fabio Carvalho. Up next set is Kevin Shada and I've given him seven out of 10. And this is a difficult one for me as well, because I feel like.
00:37:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has the ability to have an eight or nine out of 10 performance in him as he showed with the hatchery against Leicester. I thought he was decent against Southampton as well. Good finish for the goal. I think his finishing has greatly improved since he started scoring goals this season. And I can see, I've seen a lot of growth in that area of his game this season. and However, he still has the ability to also have a poor game. He has all the yeah attributes I've said in the past. He has the high, he has the physicality definitely has a pace and and you know he's building on his finishing as ah as I've just referred to but there are too many games to me this season where he is out of the game as well so I can't give him any any more than a seven I think he is he is very up and down perhaps our most inconsistent player on his day is very exciting but he needs to refine that and I think he is a little bit behind you know Dan's got a boomer whistle her and there's nothing to
00:38:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
he can't be comparing himself to them in my opinion at the moment. you know that they are They are exceptional, all three of those. However, I do think, again, there is room for him to grow. I think he has grown to an extent from last season. I think there's room to grow further. He is still a young player.
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He gives us an outlet at times in terms of being able to play the ball forwards. And he does scare teams with his pace. And I think if he just refines his technical ability a bit more and becomes a bit more consistent and just has confidence, you know, more of the time, then I think we have another little player on our hands. And we could be saying similar things about Shada as we do about a boomer whistle now about Shada in a few years time.
00:38:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Talking of Abuma and Whissa, they are the next two that we've got coming up. And we'll do them together, why not? They are both nine out of 10 for me this season. Brentford are the first team this season to have two players score double digits in terms of goals. And that is through Abuma and Whissa. Whissa obviously also spent a little bit of time injured this season. His goal rate in particular, his goals per minute is astounding. He was I would have bet my life on him getting three or four goals against Southampton based on the chances he had at the weekend. It was a bit of an off day for him, but he still got his goal. And I think just their relationship together on and off the pitch as well. I think they push each other. I think they make each other better. I think that makes them better as well. But I think we have a chance at scoring against any team in the world right now with this front line. And that's the biggest praise I can give them.
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Abumo, his finishing compared to the first season in the Premier League has gone through the roof. I think he is one of the best charts converters in the Premier League and he doesn't always have easy chances.
00:40:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he is very good at making the most of opportunities in front of goal, and I think the pair of them just have the ability to go very, very far. And I think Abumo as well with it with his age, being a lot younger than Whissa, I think unfortunately for Brentford and unfortunately for us, I think he will be probably moving on sooner than we think possibly in the summer because I do just think he's he's he is starting to reach that level now but yeah the pair of them I think a close second behind Damsguard as our best players alongside Nathan Collins as well I think definitely our best four have been Damsguard and Beamer, Wister and Collins I think this season and and ah
00:40:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't praise them high enough. A lot of the talk in preseason was losing about losing Ivan Tony. They have meant that, you know, we in many ways look better with a dynamic front three who are able to interchange like we have now. um and And in terms of goals, those two are right up there and mean that, you know, we do have a chance against any team if we are able to score goals.
00:41:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
The last player that I'm going to talk about in this episode is Igor Tiago. I have given him a 6.5 out of 10 and this was also difficult for me. He has just not been available enough this season for me to give him any more than that, so that is why it's not any higher. For what we have seen, and of course he has not scored yet for Brentford, but for what we have seen, he does offer a complete different profile to what we already have. You can see why we've signed him.
00:41:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is very, very good at holding up the ball, winning flick-ons, going into Jules's centre backs. He is strong and he is able to hold his own and he is able to offer us the outlet. Something that I think we have been greatly missing this season, and particularly against the big six sides and something I hope he will be able to offer. I think the only concern with him at the moment is his fitness and him keeping fit. So I hope we do see more of him the second half of the season and I hope we see him go a long period without getting injuries because the last thing Brentford want is to have signed another player who is regularly out with injuries but that is Ego Tiago 6.5 out of 10. That is something they can easily improve if he gets himself fit and firing in the second half of the season. So that is your Brentford squad review
00:42:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um at the midway point of this Premier League season and that will do for today's episode of the Daily Brentford Podcast. Thank you for listening. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode and once again we'd be extremely grateful for your support as this will enable us to get bigger and better moving forwards.
Closing Remarks and Future Preview
00:43:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Daily Brentford coming out on X Instagram and TikTok under the handle at GSPN Brentford. We'll be back again on Friday. There will be no crossover episode tomorrow as we are up against Plymouth and GSPN do not yet have a Plymouth podcasting team, but we will be back again on Friday to preview the FA Cup action at the GTEC at the weekend. And until then from myself, thank you for being with me.