Well, maybe, maybe not!
It is very difficult to make comparisons across different eras and Brentford FC certainly enjoyed some wonderful Seasons and achievements in the 1930s under Harry Curtis. However, Thomas, his staff and this wonderful group of players keep giving us so many magical moments and such fantastic memories, as we continue on this incredible journey together. I have been lucky enough to attend every first team game this past season, my 46th supporting the Bees, and it was certainly the best season of those 46.
I was asked for a Top 5 and a Bottom 5 (games, moments, whatever) of this fabulous season. A bottom 5 is relatively difficult and seems a bit churlish given how good the season has been overall, but let’s start there. The bottom 5, in reverse order:
Fifth – Forest Groundsman
I’ve never seen anything like it. The Bees players were trying to carry out their pre-match warm-up in the half nearest the Bees supporters. The Forest Head Groundman insisted on forking the pitch and generally disrupting our warm-up as best he could.
Having taken the lead through a wonderful goal from Wissa (and an even better goal celebration by the way – make sure you watch it if you haven’t already) there was to be late heartbreak for the Bees when Forest equalised through an own goal in the sixth minute of added time.
Forth – Gillingham Home League Cup. Lost on penalties
Having disposed of Colchester Away in the Second Round, we were drawn at Home to another team struggling at the wrong end of League 2. Surely this was an opportunity for another good run in the League Cup (having recently been Quarter and Semi Finalists in the competition). For much of my time supporting the Bees, Gillingham have been big rivals until relatively recently. Hard to believe now.We started well enough. Ivan finishing off a well worked goal to give 3rd minute lead. The Bees remained well on top but failed to add to that early lead. Then, in the 75th minute, Gillingham’s first effort on target resulted in the equaliser!
Gillingham went on to win 6-5 on penalties. Our Cup run was over!
October
What a horrible month. In six games we had just one win, albeit a good 2-0 win at home to Brighton and we suffered two heavy defeats on the road. The last three of my bottom 5 all came in October.
Third – Wolves Home 1-1
This game was a really hard watch thanks to the tactics of Wolves. Right from the start they set out to waste time and kill the game through whatever means necessary. It was soooo frustrating. Then, just when we thought we’d broken them with a wonderful goal from Ben Mee (what a signing!), Wolves equalised almost straight away!
Second – Newcastle Away Lost 5-1
A really heavy defeat, made to look worse than it probably was as we conceded two late goals as Ethan in particular, in his first game back after an injury, tired at the end. It might have been very different if Bryan’s “opening goal” hadn’t been ruled out by VAR.
The worst – Aston Villa Away Lost 4-0
Two weeks after Newcastle and another heavy away defeat. The first 15 minutes killed us as we found ourselves 3-0 down. It could have been even worse!
RIP
I’m not sure that it would be appropriate to include in a bottom 5, but I did want to mention and pay due respect somewhere to the many wonderful Bees fans who passed away over the last season. I’m sure we’ll all have known someone. RIP.
My Top 5
There were many candidates for a Top 5 and it was very difficult to decide on a final cut but again, in reverse order, here they are.
Fifth best – Our first win v Tottenham since 1948
Where to start. Another lovely day in the sun. The front 3, even without Ivan looked great and 3 really good goals in front of the travelling Bees fans in a wonderful second half. Our first win against Tottenham in 75 years and it meant we had completed the set – a win against all of the “Big 6” in only our second PL season.
Forth best – The demolition of Manchester United
Absolutely surreal as we tore apart possibly the biggest club on the planet. 4-0 inside 35 minutes.
A performance and result I never thought I’d see in my lifetime! It set the tone for how we were going to approach the season.
With thanks to Chris Bushe
Third Best – Brentford 3 Liverpool 1
No Ivan Toney, but we’d be ok – wouldn’t we? – and it was going to be a special night under the lights – wouldn’t it? Of course we would. Of course it was. Another wonderful performance at home to Liverpool and this time we got the 3 points we deserved. Klopp wasn’t particularly gracious in defeat but no one of a Brentford persuasion cared.
Second best – Ivan Toney, England international
After a couple of squad call-ups without playing, Ivan finally got his chance when he came on as a late substitute in the Euro Qualifier v Ukraine in March.In so doing, Ivan became Brentford’s first England player since 1939.
I’m sure all Bees fans, like I was, were immensely proud when he made his international debut.
I’m also sure there’ll be more Caps to come when he returns to football next year.
And =1st
Winning at the Premier League Champions
Our last game before the World Cup. The small matter of playing the existing PL Champions – and soon to win the League for the fifth time in six seasons – in their own back yard. Again, Brentford approached the game without fear and with a clear game plan, executed to perfection. Goal machine Haaland was kept quiet. The supply lines from De Bruyne and others were blocked. Brentford attacked with real purpose. It was no surprise when Ivan gave us the lead in the 16th minute.
The scenes that greeted his well-deserved winner deep into added time will live long in the memory. We had beaten probably the best team on the planet!
With thanks to Mark Fuller https://officialbfcpics.co.uk
Doing the double over the best team on the planet.
I have taken a liberty here and added an extra into the Top 5. What an incredible end to a wonderful season! Having beaten them away, we faced a Manchester City team going for the treble (PL, FA Cup and Champions League) and on the back of a lengthy unbeaten run.
Yes, they rested several key players and probably had half an eye on the big games to come but it was still a very good team that they put out. Brentford played some wonderful football and restricted City to very few chances and became only the third team to keep a clean sheet against City in the PL this season – and the first to complete the double over them!
Thousands waited behind in the stands to say farewell to Pontus Jansson (what an inspirational signing) – and to Saman Ghoddos – and to celebrate a remarkable season with Thomas, the players and their families on a lap of appreciation.
Honourable mentions should also be made for the 5-2 win and Ivan’s hat-trick v Leeds, the 3-2 win v Fulham (should have been more), Josh’s wonderful late goal to help us beat Forest, the pre-season games in Germany (a personal favourite of mine) and last but certainly not least, the award of the British Empire Medal to our very own Peter Gilham, Mr. Brentford. Congratulations Peter.
Thank you, Thomas.
Thank you, Brentford FC
Jim Walsh