00:00:00
00:00:01
Wildcard Wednesday: Top 10 Matches of our Premier League Era!
22 Plays28 days ago
This is your Wildcard Wednesday, where we reminisce on some of the best moments in our first three seasons in the Premier League and analyse the impact each result had on our standing as a club.
Host: Daniel Toppin
Instagram/X/TikTok: @gspnbrentford
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth.
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools - all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
#MadeOnZencastr
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world's first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world's biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship deals or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience - email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2024 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
00:00:10
officialgspn
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Daily Brentford Podcast with myself, Daniel, where today on our World Card Wednesday, we will be taking a look back at our three and a bit seasons in the Premier League and counting down our top 10 games during that period. 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. web this 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, before I start my countdown from 10 to one, there are a couple of honorable mentions which didn't actually quite make my list, which shows, you know,
00:00:58
officialgspn
I guess in one way the vast number of brilliant results and moments we've had in just three and a bit seasons. One of the ones that didn't make my list was Tottenham 1 Brent for three in May 2023. It's a brilliant result away at a very tough place to go as we all know after the weekend just gone. I just felt like given the context at the time, it was perhaps slightly an easier place to go to on that occasion.
00:01:26
officialgspn
i'm First of all, it was near the end of the season. I'm not sure Tottenham had too much to play for at the time. Brentford obviously went there for Antonio Conte's last home game in charge. He was not a popular figure by the end. I feel that, you know, maybe even the team weren't fully playing for him by the end and they knew he was on his way out. I felt that it's still a very good result. Of course it is.
00:01:55
officialgspn
There was some brilliant finishing on show from Brian and Puma in particular, very precise, exactly what we needed from him. But I just do feel that perhaps it was the right time to play them. And perhaps if there's more riding on it and if we played them and beat them at the weekend, just gone, for example, maybe that, that ah that for me would have trumped it and been more impressive. The other one I haven't included is Brentford World Manchester City Neil, which actually one week after the Tottenham game.
00:02:24
officialgspn
also in May, 2023. Again, I think the context around this is also self-explanatory. City still had a brilliant team out. I think they could put their third team out and still have a very good team out, but ultimately, you know, they made a lot of changes from their usual team. They had already been crowned champions. They had an FA Cup final and a Champions League final, which, you know, probably rightfully distracted them at the time.
00:02:48
officialgspn
And obviously they went on to win those things. So I just feel like we didn't get the real version of Manchester City that day. And obviously if if we had, you know, the result would have either been different or it would, or it would have made the list. But then let's go to the games and that did get included. So at number 10, we have wolves nil Brentford two from September 2021. Now, many of you may think this is not an obvious one to include.
00:03:16
officialgspn
Wolves away is quite unremarkable. 2-0 is also a pretty standard result that you do see. this The reason I've included this is because this is our first away win in the Premier League, out only our third attempt on the road. Of course, we had draws at Crystal Palace and um and also Aston Villa. We had that loss at home to Brighton. Obviously, we had the opening day win against Arsenal, but I felt this is perhaps the first time where we really just took control of a game. And, you know, we were tuning up at the break um with an Ivan Tony penalty and a Brian Abumo goal. And I just felt, I just remember sitting there at halftime, you know, reflecting on how comfortable we were and how we actually do belong at this level. And it's not necessarily just about survival, but maybe we can thrive in the Premier League. And I think
00:04:09
officialgspn
Our level of control was highlighted even more when Baptiste was sent off for 30 minutes to go. However, Brentford still maintained control of the game and Wolves finished that game without having a shot on target in 90 minutes. And I've not researched it, but that can't happen very often to any teams, particularly against, you know, another mid table or bottom half team like us.
00:04:37
officialgspn
We can't do that to many people. And the fact we did that so early in our Premier League life, you know, we have a team of players who completely are inexperienced at this level. I think that's absolutely fantastic and, you know, reflective of how the season ended up going from there. So then at number nine on the list, we have Fulham Neil Brentford free from last season.
00:05:04
officialgspn
Now many Brentford fans over the years may may look at results against Fulham, they may look at games against Fulham as games they're excited for, games they remember over the years. I particularly remember the the first time we played them in the championship in, I think it was about 10 years ago now, like that Good Friday where we won 4-1 at Craven Cottage. That was brilliant. That was one of my favorite ever away games. And I think maybe this Fulham, Neil Brentford III is the equivalent in the Premier League, I feel like.
00:05:33
officialgspn
you know, any kind of mid-table Premier League team, it's not easy to go to their place and win. I mean, the same can be said with Brentford, you know, over the years, our home record's been better than our away record. You know, though our home record is kind of our bread and butter, and that's the reason we've survived in the last few years, maybe with the exception of last season, but generally, our home record has been very strong. So to go to Fulham at the beginning of last season without Ivan Tony, who's on a ban,
00:06:01
officialgspn
a lot of the media coverage is about that at the time. It was amazing to get one over of them so early on in the season. And obviously it really sets up. It's a shame what happened from there on in in the season in terms of the injuries. But I think we did show that day, you know, that we can cope with our Ivan Tony, the ability of both Whistler and Abumo. And obviously they both scored that day and it's not the first time and it's not the last time that they have done that. They worked so well together. And I just thought,
00:06:32
officialgspn
that day it was a bit of a statement. um And obviously I know that we also forced Fulham into a red card in the second half, which led to one of the goals which Brian scored. So it was an all round good day, very positive day. I wanted to include a Fulham game in there somewhere and I i think that is quite clearly the best of the lot in in our Premier League years over the last few seasons. The next one at number eight is the only one on the list where Brentford didn't actually win the game.
00:06:59
officialgspn
It is Brentford 3 Liverpool 3 from September 2021. For me, that is the first memory I have of us being up against a ah a real, real quality team in the Premier League. And we went toe to toe with them and we had no right to do so. Like I said before, with a lot of these games on the list, you know, they're quite early on in our Premier League life and we had no right to beat these teams or or take these teams on as we did. And it was also for me, one of the first memories of us showing off our set pre-priest, which it in the Premier League has served us so well over the years. Obviously we had Ethan Pinnett's goal that day, which was I think from a free kick, which was headed back across goal. Liverpool did quickly equalize and then took the lead on 54 minutes, but we came back for another header with Yannelt and then through Wisser after Liverpool
00:07:57
officialgspn
um took the lead again after Unelt scored. And, you know, again, Wisser showed his calmness, bring out his celebration for the first time. And, you you know, it personified the goal because it was such a calm finish under pressure. And again, we forget that these players hadn't played much in the Premier League. We forget that, you know, they're up against possibly some of their idols. And the fact that we were just brilliant that day and we fully deserved a point was a statement. And I think
00:08:28
officialgspn
ever since then, when we've come up against the like of Klopp and Guardiola, they've always been very, very quick to compliment Brentford and how difficult it is to play against her, which is a testament to everyone at the club. This game, of course, in particular, is also remembered for David Ray's brilliant save from Diego Giotto, which I perhaps think is arguably the best save from a Brentford keeper, you know, in our three years in the Premier League.
00:08:58
officialgspn
So then at number seven, we have Brentford five leads two from September 2022, perhaps known as the Ivan Tony game. That's the game where he scored a brilliant hat trick for penalty. we We all know what his penalty prowess is like, his technique and how it's worked so, so well over the years. And the second goal was a free kick that we didn't know so much about until that day. I think that is the first time I've even seen him try to take a free kick.
00:09:26
officialgspn
And obviously he scored more since then, but you know, it's just remarkable. The number of finishes he has in his locker, the number of things he could do. And obviously I think that's why he's probably the best striker we've ever had in our history in terms of what he can offer us as a team with his holdup play, with the different kinds of finishing and now his ability from dead bulls. Third goal was the lob from Melly 8. I think again, that's one of our most perhaps iconic goals in the last few years.
00:09:56
officialgspn
he It wasn't a rush lobby. It was not like he just saw the keeper out of the area and he went for it. you know He took on a man, he went round him, he kept calm, he took a few touches and he hit he hit it where on his terms when he knew that it would go in, when he knew he had the best chance of getting his technique right. And again, I think that's just bravery and confidence. um And you know it was a brilliant brilliant goal in the end. I'm not sure why the lead keeper found himself out there, but you know we've got to take advantage of these things.
00:10:27
officialgspn
Of course, with um with it being against Leeds over the years, there's perhaps an element of rivalry between the two clubs with promotion battles in the championship over the years, et cetera. But I mean, this game had had it all. And, you know, maybe maybe the result is slightly better given that, you know, it was against them. Leeds at one sale has actually pulled it back to three two in the seventy five, seventy ninth minute following Ivan's hat trick. But late Goldsman, Boomer and Whistle did the trick. Again, that's another.
00:10:56
officialgspn
Another commonality in these games, there are so many games which both Abuma and Whissa seem to have scored him. So before we go to the break, we'll go for number six, which was Luton 1, Brentford 5, the most recent one on this list in April 2024. That for me was the day that we banished any fears of relegation and once again showed our Premier League quality. And it was such a relief in that away end to be you know, three nil up so early to be, you know, largely in control so early. I think we were two nil up at halftime and, you know, four nil up after just over an hour. I just thought it was such a relief that day because there were, there were several periods in second half of the season. We were never that close to the relegation zone, but there were some worries kicking in.
00:11:49
officialgspn
particularly perhaps after the Burnley defeat away. And I mean, this afternoon again, it just showed us that we actually will be okay. And that we have Premier League quality because Luton, you know, they're a team that we would have been in their position a couple of years prior. You know, we've been the new team in the Premier League, you know, considered the underdogs and, you know, considered and maybe not have as much quality as some of the other teams. But I think it just showed how far we've come.
00:12:17
officialgspn
I mean the first half we saw some brilliant fish finishing by Jan Wisser to put us doing it up. I think he's got that on his locker every day. I think he's the best finisher at the club still to this day. ah Half time I felt Lewton would probably get better and make it harder for them, ah for us sorry at home, but they never did. And we dealt with the occasion well.
00:12:38
officialgspn
We dealt with, you know, people say going to Kennelwood throws a difficult place, but we dealt with it extremely, extremely well. And, you know, as the goals from Pinn at KLP and Sharda went in, you know, there there was a party in the away end, and and it was it was great to see, and it was great to come out of that thinking that we can just enjoy the remaining games. I felt that this game also showed how the how the attack can just work without Ivan Tony in future.
00:13:06
officialgspn
You know, it's given us a glimpse to perhaps this season in terms of how we want to play, in terms of the patterns we need to use about Ivan Toni, because obviously Whistler is a very different striker. And I think, you know, on that day, I i was confident that, you know, these ingredients, when they're all fit, the likes of KLP, Shada, Whistler, Brian, when they're all fit, you know, we still have a lot of fret going forward. After the break, I will be going through the the rest of the countdown from number five to number one.
00:13:35
officialgspn
and I'll see you in a minute.
00:14:48
officialgspn
Hello and welcome to part two then. So at number five in the list, we have some familiar opposition to what we've already spoken about. We have Brentford three Liverpool one from January, 2023. I feel like this is typical of a lot of our other home games against Liverpool end to end where we have plenty of chances. I feel like we've never quite achieved that Anfield to this date, but I feel definitely at home we've more than had our own against Liverpool.
00:15:16
officialgspn
apart from perhaps last year when when they ran away with it. But again, I mean, we we got the win at home against the likes of Sadler van Dyck, Trent, who all started that day. We raced into a 2-0 lead at a halftime with a further goal disallowed. We looked very, very good on the break. Liverpool looked vulnerable. And, you know, it was around the time where perhaps they were having a few issues with their midfield and their defence and knitting it all together.
00:15:43
officialgspn
and you know, early in the second half, like they may have gathered, gathered momentum a bit and they may come back into the game. They scored an early second half goal, but the fact that from there on we were able to manage the game just showed a bit more, a bit of maturity that perhaps we hadn't always shown in the league. And we know obviously we're going to play teams like Liverpool that they're going to have spells in the game, but we rode that. And, you know, I think probably the, the goal I remember most of the game is the three one goal.
00:16:13
officialgspn
with minutes left and Bummo, you know, got the beating of Canate at, you know, at pace and sealed a brilliant victory. And we've seen seen that goal from him a few times now. And again, it just goes to show, you know, how how good he really is. And I've said before on this podcast that, you know, I can see him but perhaps going into a place, Salah, at Liverpool where he eventually leaves. And, you know, I wouldn't deny him that opportunity. I think he's been great for us and Of course, I'd love him to stay for as long as possible, but I think we've got to be realistic, particularly the way he started this season as well. At number four, we've got Chelsea 1, Brentford 4 in April 2022. Now then, I could have chosen any trip to Stamford Bridge, Brentford have had in all of our Premier League seasons so far, which is a remarkable statistic.
00:17:07
officialgspn
in itself and me being me every time we go there now I think you know at some point we're going to lose the game but I mean whilst this ride is lasting you know we've got to make the most of it quite remarkably we I don't think we've beaten Chelsea at home yet so it's quite an odd one um our games against Chelsea but you know i've gone I've gone with the first one as a game I've chosen which is our biggest win there. I mean, winning 4-1 at Stanford Bridge in our first Premier League season is something that, you know, we could not have thought of. I remember when we faced them in the FA Cup about 10 years prior to that. And obviously we got that draw at Griffin Park, but then when we went back to Stanford Bridge, we were completely torn apart and you saw the massive gap between the teams that day. And, you know, this just shows, you know, for all of Chelsea's issues,
00:18:02
officialgspn
You know, this was pre-takeover this game anyway, so they weren't necessarily having as many issues at this stage. It just shows, you know, how far we've come. um Remarkably, Chelsea actually took the lead in this game in the second half with a remarkable strike from range from Rudiger. But we responded with three goals in 10 minutes from Janelle, who scored twice. And Christie and Eric soon scored his first goal for Brentford with Wisser adding to the gloss with minutes remaining.
00:18:32
officialgspn
Perhaps there's an argument to say that's our best 10 minutes of Football in the Premier League and there's no exaggeration now, I thought. We were brilliant and we couldn't quite believe it in the away end and the fact that you know it was so emphatic by the end. you know At times when we've gone there over over the years you can feel perhaps a new West London type wire rivalry um presenting itself. yeah We've also finished above Chelsea once in the last three seasons. so Could that happen? I don't know. I suspect it'll take a bit more than what we've already had to develop that. But, you know, that there's an argument there that, you know, definitely Chelsea and Fulham are our two closest rivals, both on the pitch and geographically at the moment. So it's great to see that and it's great to, you know, be on that level and to be getting results against them, I think.
00:19:25
officialgspn
Another um pattern that we're seeing in these wins with these big teams is we seem to have less possession, but we had the best chance in the game. And it's all about getting your players in the best positions to have the best chances and restricting the opposition when they go in the other way and forcing them into long shots. And, you know, I think that was a perfect example that day of of being able to do that. At number four, at number three, sorry, I've got Brentford for Manchester United nil in August 2022.
00:19:55
officialgspn
Now, I don't know about anyone listening, but I could have never have imagined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo rocking up at the G-Tech, playing 90 minutes and being 4-0 down to a Brentford side within 35 minutes. That is what we saw on this occasion. And I know I have just said perhaps the three goals in 10 minutes was our best 10 minutes as a Premier League side.
00:20:21
officialgspn
at Chelsea, perhaps this is our best 35 minutes opening half an hour of a game because we absolutely blew Manchester United away. Yes, we had a bit of luck along the way. I think that the first goal from De Silva was definitely an error from De Gea and goal. Yeah, since finish was a smart one. We had Ben Mies going from a corner. And then we had probably again, one of our more iconic Premier League goals from Brian and Brumo, which started actually from a Manchester United corner.
00:20:51
officialgspn
with long passing between Jenson who got the ball clear Ivan Tony who found himself with the ball on the right and then played a brilliant ball over the top to Brian and Bumo who got the goal. Again we saw a continued passion ah pattern here of us having less possession but better chances and ultimately higher XG and you know considering we were up for so long we were so convincingly up by 4-0 given the game state in that I think it's very impressive that You know, we we still ended the game with more chances and better chances. I just think this one's edged it over the Chelsea game. Not, not just because we kept a cliche. It's just, it's Man United. So that's Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, it's, it's historically the most decorated club in the country. And the fact that we blew them away, you know, no no one can ever take that from Brentford. And it's just incredibly, incredibly impressive.
00:21:47
officialgspn
At number two, we have got probably the greatest win of our Premier League era and perhaps Brentford's greatest win ever when looking at the strength of the opponent. We have Manchester City 1, Brentford 2 in November 2022. Manchester City that day started with the likes of Erling Harlan, Kevin De Bruyne, Ophel Foden and Rodri all in from the start and they were deservedly beaten.
00:22:12
officialgspn
This was the game just before the World Cup break in which Ivan Tony was snubbed from the England squad just days prior. And he helped us take the lead on 16 minutes. And he, of course, scored again another very iconic Brentford winner in the last minute. And looking back to that day, I i don't see it as a smash and grab at all because City, of course, had most of the ball.
00:22:41
officialgspn
And of course, they had lots of shots, but I thought we largely restricted them to, again, more low quality opportunities. And I recall, especially early on in that game, the likes of Onyeka, having brilliant chances to maybe double our lead or put us further ahead. And I just thought, you know, perhaps, you know, I was thinking that, you know, we we'll we'll regret those opportunities, but ultimately, you know, more came and and they came to the right people.
00:23:10
officialgspn
And, you know, when it's phoned and equalized just before the halftime whistle, so we thought we'd missed our opportunity. But, you know, it's again, testament to us at the Etihad, who was able to dig in, who was able to go in at halftime, who was able to go again. And again, those, those, the videos of, of the, the winning goal, which gets circulated every time we play City again now. We're then desperately running back from their own corner, Erling Harlan being the last man back.
00:23:40
officialgspn
the first man back sorry the ball is with De Silva he finds a yard on the defender and puts it on a plate for Ivan Tony and I think just a word on De Silva there as well I mean that's what he does isn't it heat he shifts it normally he cuts inside and that's maybe what city we're expecting to try and car one but obviously he went on the outside this time brilliant ball in and you know he's he's capable of that he's more of a box to box present he can drive at defenses he can offer something probably different to all of Amir Fielders at the moment. Obviously, I do hope we can get back to seeing him at that level one day, um you know, when he's back from injury. He's had a very, very tough time, but, you know, he still has memories like that to look back on and, you know, know that he played an extremely massive role in that. And I can't see that getting beaten as, you know, perhaps our best win ever.
00:24:35
officialgspn
Um, I just don't see how that can be beaten given the strength of city. And obviously we know what they went on to do that seasoning and winning the treble and the fact that we did double on them in that season. And that will be forever. Something that, you know, us Brentford fans, you know, we'll be aware of and can take pride in the fact that, you know, on our day and it's proven times and time again, you know, we we can beat anyone we put our mind to.
00:25:03
officialgspn
You know, it's got to be perfect. It's got to be, things have got to fall our way, but we can do it and we know we can. So then at number one, no prizes for really guessing what this one is. It is Brentford 2 Arsenal 0 in August 2021. And to set the scene, we had just had the break for COVID. We had just had a season completely behind closed doors. That season being Brentford's first in a brand new stadium after leaving Griffin Park.
00:25:33
officialgspn
We get promoted at the end of that season. Some of us, such as myself, were lucky enough to be at Wembley that day. Could we have even on that day imagined this just a matter of months later? The G-Tech packed full on a Friday night to open a Premier League season against Arsenal. The famous Arsenal who, you know, have always been one of the big four, the big six teams.
00:26:01
officialgspn
Yes, they were weakened that day, but we cannot forget how inexperienced that Brentford team was in the Premier League. We cannot forget that they would have all been aware that all eyes were on them that night, and we stepped up big time. Everybody stepped up. The crowd, Thomas Franchi and the fans up, it was the perfect opening day. And I think the fact that that's our first Premier League game, it's got to be number one.
00:26:28
officialgspn
the memories that came flooding out from the fans that day, you know, the emotions that that were flooding out as well. You know, our first game in the Premier League is 74 years and we keep a clean sheet and get a 2-0 win against Arsenal. You know, the likes of Sergio Canos, that goal he scored. Cutting in, drilling it into the net won will never be forgotten. Christian Norgard again, we saw a bit about Brentford and how long froze that day and and what was to come.
00:26:59
officialgspn
I don't think anyone could believe how we'd we had started. And if you look nowadays, I mean, the promoted three teams from last year, Leicester, Southampton, Ipswich, still yet to find a win between them. So we can't take it for granted how good we were on that day and how how well we just approached everything um to contribute to where we are now, you know, being able to look up, being able to have dreams of Europe and being able to try and establish ourselves and not just settle for bottom half in the Premier League, but, you know, try and climb beyond that. And I think this is where it's all started. And I think that for me is why it just edges that Manchester City away game. Although that was the better performance and the better result. I think we've we've we've got to put this one first is based on this was a starting point and it was what a starting point it was.
00:27:54
officialgspn
Thank you for listening to the Daily Brentford podcast today. We hope you enjoyed today's episode and looking back at the games. And once again, we would be extremely grateful for your support as this will enable us to get bigger and better moving forwards. Daily Brentford can be found on X Instagram and TikTok under the handle at GSPN Brentford.
00:28:13
officialgspn
We'll be back tomorrow for our crossover episode with the team at Daily West Ham fer out gay to preview our game sorry at the KeyTech this weekend. Until then, from myself, Daniel, thank you for being with us.