Brentford vs West Ham - Sat 2nd May - 3pm
The smart money would definitely be on a draw for this fixture as Brentford have drawn their last six matches in all comps, whilst we are adopting a safety first strategy at present in my view, I do feel however that we must go all out for three points with Arsenal to follow this fixture.
We drew in the FA Cup recently but I felt we were the better side and so with the incentive we have at present, the team spirit and fight we have in us I am really hopeful we can take the three points home with us and see how Spurs respond to the pressure in their match at Villa on the Sunday.
I really hope Nuno doesn't try and defend a lead (if we get one) by bus parking again, as I feel he got lucky against Everton but may not do so again. I would press forward to get the first goal and then continue looking for the second. Bus parking is hard for the best of sides, but our defence, although much improved, is simply not up to it.
The only change I would consider is Pablo. I know we are divided in our view and I see his press and energy but his touch and control is really not up to standard for this level and I feel he doesn't bring enough. Trarore would be the obvious change but I could certainly agree to Pablo starting and Trarore coming on when they are softened up a little. If playing a wildcard then AWB for Pablo which may sound crazy but he has Pablo traits but better. He is physical, energetic, has limbs that grab the ball from any angle, but is also a footballer.
(Hands in prayer for three points)
We drew in the FA Cup recently but I felt we were the better side and so with the incentive we have at present, the team spirit and fight we have in us I am really hopeful we can take the three points home with us and see how Spurs respond to the pressure in their match at Villa on the Sunday.
I really hope Nuno doesn't try and defend a lead (if we get one) by bus parking again, as I feel he got lucky against Everton but may not do so again. I would press forward to get the first goal and then continue looking for the second. Bus parking is hard for the best of sides, but our defence, although much improved, is simply not up to it.
The only change I would consider is Pablo. I know we are divided in our view and I see his press and energy but his touch and control is really not up to standard for this level and I feel he doesn't bring enough. Trarore would be the obvious change but I could certainly agree to Pablo starting and Trarore coming on when they are softened up a little. If playing a wildcard then AWB for Pablo which may sound crazy but he has Pablo traits but better. He is physical, energetic, has limbs that grab the ball from any angle, but is also a footballer.
(Hands in prayer for three points)
Comments
Surely we play to our strengths, which is counter attacking. After all it's seems to have worked over the last 13 games.
We may not expect to win against Arsenal but I think we know what the strategy will be and we are crafty enough to pull off a surprise result, against this lot I think we may be caught in two minds and end up neither attacking nor defending effectively.
All that being said, this is a great opportunity to put pressure on Spurs, if we do pull it off and win the points, I do not expect Spurs to get much out of their game vs Villa
COYI
Edwards has started the same XI for three games in a row and doesn't do a lot if substitutions, probably cos he doesn't have a lot of options on the bench
Kelleher
Kayode Berg Collins Lewis-Potter
Yarmoliuk Jensen
Quattara Damsgaard Schade
Thiago
Against Man Utd the only substitution was Reece Nelson for Schade, against Fulham there were no subs at all and against Everton it was Nelson for Damsgaard
With Rico Henry and Vitaly Janelt both still unavailable Keane Lewis-Potter has been playing at left back while Jordan Henderson has missed the last three games with a knock he picked up on international duty
Thiago is now up to 24 goals in all competitions, 21 in the league, 3 behind Haaland
A draw would be nice and Villa to stuff Spurs
Oh! And don’t call him Edwards. 😬
They've scored 7 goals in those 7 games and could still qualify for Europe. They gave Man Utd a hard game on Monday night
Janelt and Henderson are "pretty close", Henry is "not as close"
Josh De Silva was on the bench last weekend for the first time since January 2024. Lummey
Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Fernandes, Souček, Bowen ©, Summerville, Pablo, Taty
Subs: Areola (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Todibo, Lamadrid, Magassa, Kanté, Adama, Wilson
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