How would you sum up Brentford's season so far?
Both the fans and management are delighted with our season. There is the olde cliche … we’d be happy just to finish 21st this season. But after playing a few games, we really feel we can hold our own in this division.
We play good passing football .. we try to play the ‘right way’. And we’ve given teams like Norwich and Watford tough games even though we lost to both. A Watford fan said in one of our Beesotted videos we were the best team to come to Vicarage Rd this season which was a complement.
Norwich we absolutely hammered them for 65 minutes. Ruddy was on form and kept them in the game. Then we made a mistake, gave the ball away, went a goal down. Didn’t get a penalty when we should and ended up losing 3-0. Fans were still proud of the way they played.
Against Brighton and Leeds we were magnificent and beat them both. In style.
However, we’re already getting a bit bored of getting the title of ‘plucky losers’ and need to start converting our plentiful possession now. Manager Mark Warburton has admitted that our finishing hasn’t been what it could be. And if we had taken our chances against teams like Norwich and even Birmingham who we battered them for the whole 2nd half with 10 men, we would be in a much different position now.
But we all accept that its a huge learning curve for us and we’re happy … no we’re delighter .. to be where we are …
Look on the dark side … we could be F*lham ….
What has been the most noticeable change having moved up a division?
The quality of the strikers. We’ve had four goals against us from distance in four consecutive matches. We notice that if you make a mistake, you get punished. Norwich hit us hard on the break and we were punished. Boro also picked us off and finished us off big time. We learned a lot from those two games.
Any fond memories of games against Reading?
There was one game - the season when we should have gone up .. but you pipped us on the last day of the season. We turned up for our first trip to The Madjeski. There were thousands of Bees. Faces I hadn’t seen for years. We made loads of noise and won the game 2-1. That was a great day.
Can probably predict this one.... but any not so fond ones?
Reading hasn’t been great for me. It was my first away match and I ended up getting chased by 50 Reading fans after the game - I had no idea what football hooliganism even was back in them days. On the plus side, I did meet my best mate that day shortly before hot-stepping it down the street.
That last game of 2002 was a sickener. Whoever won would be promoted to the Championship (old Division 1). We should have gone up that season and I was confident we would beat you at our place. I couldn’t believe it when Cureton scored. I remember, I bought Alesha Dixon down to the game that day and she got abused by some Reading fans before the match. She hasn’t been back since. It wasn’t a great day.
Who should Reading fans be wary of on Saturday?
Alex Pritchard may or may not play on Saturday due to his international call-up but he is a very good attacking midfielder. We got him on loan from Spurs. He was at Swindon last season.
On his day, Moses Odebajo is a great player. Very fast. Terrorises wingers. We got him from Orient in the close season. And Jota has been getting better and better as he gets used to the English game. A stylish Spaniard we got from Celta Vigo in the close season. Scored a peach of a goal against Leeds last week. Jonathon Douglas has been a revelation this season too. He’s been in the squad for a few seasons but has taken the role as midfield general with a level of seriousness as of late. And I just love Alan Judge. Tricky, cheeky attacking midfielder .. he loves a shot.
Any player that Bees fans aren't looking forward to facing?
Simon Cox could be tricky. I’ve seen him play for The Republic of Ireland when I occasionally go with my wife to Dublin ro watch them play - singing the ’We’ve Got Small Cox’ song.
Apparently he was at Brentford on loan for 13 games but I have to admit, I don’t remember him playing for us.
Score prediction?
Im always optimistic and seeing as you struggled defensively against Wolves .. and we can’t keep a clean sheet, there is bound to goals in this game .. I say 2-1 Brentford
Finally any tips for Reading fans making the short trip down the M4?
Everyone knows Brentford has a pub on each corner. But Brentford actually has loads of pubs and if you take time out to research a bit, you will find loads of places to drink.
The Griffin is closest to the away end and is very popular with away fans - but is also very very busy. The New Inn is on the other side is also popular with away fans. The Princess Royal and The Royal Oak (normally home fans only) are the other two options.
Other pubs slightly further afield for the more creative amongst you include (and this is by no means a definitive list) the … The Globe (Windmill Rd) & The Lord Nelson (Enfield Rd .. right in the middle of the houses) - both incredibly friendly and cozy away-frienly pubs .. frequented by away fans in the know - and The Plough (Northfields Ave) in Northfields is a decent stop-off if you are coming by tube to Northfields before making your way down to the ground (normally stopping off at The Globe and Lord Nelson en route).
For real ale head to the Magpie and Stump real ale pub on Brentford High Street. The Royal Horseguardsman can probably hold 15 of you at a push. The Brewery Tap is a cosy boozer by the river. There are loads more too.
Our crew normally drink in The Globe ….
Billy theBee Grant (@billythebee99) writes and videoblogs for Beesotted fanzine. You can follow them on twitter (@beesotted) and watch their match day fan videos on the Beesotted Youtube Channel
Also check out the Brentford Reading podcast - a chat with Beesotted and Tilehurst End lads and lasses using the player below.