A Sunday afternoon visit for football rather than athletics and only 9 years late for the latter.
Brentford were playing West Ham and managed to pull out a last minute win when really a draw would have been reasonable.
I think this was the first away game I have been to since seeing them play Cheltenham Town when in League 1 about 20 years ago when I took Joseph. And then In was in the side stand with the home supporters.
The stadium was full which I think means 60,000 with about 5,000 of us. A strange experience. The stadium is clearly not designed for football with the pitch a long way from the fans. I was ‘on my own’ with 5,000 others, ie. no AP to discuss the finer points or moan to.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa claims win against West Ham with last kick of game
Yoane Wissa (left) celebrates scoring Brentford’s winner at West Ham with Ivan Toney. Photograph: Tony Obrien/Reuters
Last weekend, Yoane Wissa emerged from the bench and equalised against Liverpool within four minutes. It took the man from the Democratic Republic of Congo double the length of time to hurt West Ham, but a winner with the game’s final action was a stunning outcome when his team appeared content with a point.
A little late as the game was on Saturday, but all the same, it needs to be recorded. So, after so many times when we ‘dreamed’ of playing in the top flight, we though of playing Manchester United and Liverpool and the likes of them. So now Liverpool came to visit. Before I assumed that a tight loss was likely. In the end a great draw after a great event, a great game with noise and ambiance.
It was a great game to be at, somewhat unbelievable, taking the lead, fighting back and with such great noise. Keep enjoying the ride!
At the final whistle, Jürgen Klopp could not stop shaking his head in disbelief. Somehow his Liverpool side had contrived to throw away victory against a Brentford side that simply never stopped believing.
It’s what we dream for’ – Mohamed Salah’s big Liverpool moment spoilt by brilliant Bees
Last updated on 25 September 202125 September 2021.From the section Premier League 3-3 Liverpool: Thomas Frank delighted with ‘fantastic’ performance
It was described as a “crazy game”, a “wild ride” and something Brentford could only dream of as the newly promoted side came from behind twice to draw with title-challengers Liverpool.
“That’s football,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said afterwards.
In a memorable and topsy-turvy encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium, the hosts scored a dramatic late equaliser to make it 3-3 after Curtis Jones looked to have sealed victory for Liverpool.
Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith was impressed, claiming on Sky Sports: “If Brentford can do this to Liverpool, they can do this to anyone.”https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.43.13/iframe.htmlMatch of the Day analysis: How Brentford’s ‘perfect’ gameplan caused Liverpool problems
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said they “went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe”.
His players did a lap of honour at full-time, the fans were singing long after the final whistle and Brentford goalscorer Vitaly Janelt was in disbelief.
Well. possibly against expectations the Bees wind their opener in the Premier League against one the big boys. A team as one of the articles noted who considered themselves big enough to be one of the original participants of the proposed Super League in Europe.
Well the evening was great; the atmosphere great, full stadium and with a solid win to boot.
An it would seem the game, the event and the whole positive feel of the win and Brentford making an impact has been appreciated and the emotional side noted.
At the end there was a lap of recognition, if you like, with the singing accompanying it.
An of course, now for a few moments, maybe, top of the table:
So Brentford have another go at reaching the rarified zones of football- the Premier League – today.
So according to the BBC the game is worth £160 million- significant then from that point of view, but also would be the first time since 1947 that Brentford played in the top flight. A lifetime or more.
It also seems that the Bees are favourites.
In the end I had access to a ticket for the game but had affirmed with Isaac that I would go to watch his rugby match – after all his training. So Percy is now going in my place.
I will be watching Isaac and then trying to find a pub showing the game in east London. Hopefully not a problem.
Brentford’s manager, Thomas Frank, celebrates with Mads Roerslev after the win at home against Sheffield Wednesday in February. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Head coach discusses promotion ambitions, social media and changing plans to see Ollie Watkins score for England
Fri 2 Apr 2021 11.00 BST
Last Thursday evening Thomas Frank was at home in south-west London, watching Denmark’s Under-21s on his laptop when, a few miles away, Ollie Watkins was brought on for his England debut at Wembley. It was the cue for the Brentford head coach to fetch the remote. “I turned on the telly and saw Ollie score,” says Frank, who worked with the striker for three seasons. “The story of Ollie is remarkable, from League Two to the Championship and now the Premier League and the national team. He is humble but worked very hard. With that you can get very far.”
Frank is hoping to guide Brentford to the top flight after coming within one game of promotion last season. The international break allowed him to recharge the batteries, a little respite from a gruelling campaign that began only 33 days after losing the play-off final. Getting off the hamster wheel, as Frank puts it, is tricky but the change of pace and spending a few hours with family, exploring Netflix or walking through the woods with Torben, a cross between a Shar Pei and an English bulldog from Battersea, was much needed. “I watched After Life. I tried to find something where I can laugh and cry a bit, and I did both.”
With nine games to play Brentford are hoping tears of joy lie ahead. Before visiting Huddersfield on Saturday they are fourth in the Championship, in the midst of what, ostensibly, is a three-way fight with Watford, whom they face in their penultimate game, and Swansea for the second automatic promotion place. “We are definitely getting into the last part of the race, so maybe we are not sprinting yet but we are definitely increasing the tempo, or trying to.
But at same time the matches are slipping:
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Brentford: Mads Sorensen earns point but Bees’ promotion hopes take hit
3 April 20213 April 2021.From the section Championship
A mix-up in the Brentford defence gave Lewis O’Brien the opportunity to open the scoring with the Terriers’ only shot of the first half
Brentford’s automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow after a draw which edged Huddersfield closer to safety.
Lewis O’Brien took advantage of a mix-up between Bees goalkeeper David Raya and defender Mads Roerslev to put the hosts ahead after seven minutes.
Brentford equalised five minutes into the second half when Mads Sorensen turned in Vitaly Janelt’s cutback, before Ivan Toney hit the post.
Both sides had chances to win it late on but had to settle for a point each.
The point moves Brentford up to third on goal difference but they remain nine points behind Watford in second, albeit with a game in hand, with the draw edging Huddersfield eight points clear of the relegation places.
