Brentford Rise Above Elitism as Unpredictable, All-Action Opponents
The Bees offer a fascinating case study of what happens when a efficiently managed club loses its long-term manager and key players. Will the systems that propelled the club to success withstand such change? Is it possible for their renowned analytics-based scouting system identify suitable replacements? Appointing a head coach with limited top-level background, Keith Andrews, further challenges the strength of the club's structure.
Mixed Signals but Encouraging Outlook
Early indicators so far are varied but optimistic overall. While highly regarded as Thomas Frank is in Brentford legacy, his exit to move to another club showed that progress was never straightforward or a fully upward trajectory. The team with a stated salary expenditure of £50m a year, among the smallest in the top flight, has significant challenges to overcome. That last season’s 10th place was coupled with disappointment in missing out on continental competition indicates how high hopes had climbed.
Challenging Times and Significant Wins
This weekend, Manchester City face a team starting in the relative safety of thirteenth position, despite oscillations from losing 3-1 at Craven Cottage a two weeks ago to a deserved 3-1 at their ground victory over Manchester United last Saturday. Bearing in mind that several consider them a soft touch, and among Frank’s last games was a four-three defeat of the Portuguese manager's team, defeating them nonetheless held significance for Andrews. Not a single team have beaten United and City in back-to-back fixtures since Tottenham in January 1996.
Familiar Figure in a New Role
Andrews was well-acquainted to the club. Last season, he patrolled the technical area as the manager's set-piece specialist. Ipswich’s their manager, the Norwegian side's their coach and the Sheffield Wednesday boss were linked. The most probable internal candidate was assistant coach the former coach, but he followed the ex-manager to Tottenham.
Shifts Both On and Off the Field
The summer was a time of transformation both on and off the pitch. Matthew Benham, with an data-focused strategy follows his achievements in the gambling industry, sold a minority share to ex- a company CEO and political supporter an investor and the film-maker a Hollywood figure, with his wife, Claudia Schiffer, has been drawing photographers to the executive seats.
Stability and Leadership
The stability at the club is maintained by the chief executive, and the sporting director. Giles, who has been at the club for a decade, spoke publicly last week, where he admitted the Bees can never rest on laurels with the leadership congratulating itself for successes. “There is no such thing as established,” he said. “It’s not even a football word. When are we established? Almost certainly never. For a club of our stature, I don’t think you can truly take it for granted.”
Restructuring and Fresh Players
Brentford started versus Manchester United in 17th place, the safety zone. Parting with Frank, and key players such as the forwards the Cameroonian winger and the forward, the midfielder and skipper Christian Nørgaard plus goalkeeper the Dutchman, looked like a squad's heart was being ripped out. The owner, Varney and Giles had a plan; the new boss took over talent to work with. The striker was at the club, the prior off-season's big signing lost to Frank through fitness issues. The forward's quartet of strikes from 10 shots have come at the highest efficiency of every Premier League attacker this season.
Squad Strengths and Tools
Rapid Kevin Schade was established in the forward line; he combined with the forward and the winger in scoring double figures in the previous campaign. Jordan Henderson brings top-level experience in the center of the park where statistics indicate the Ukrainian, 21, as among the leading defensive workers in the division. The Ukrainian can pick a pass, as well. Mikkel Damsgaard's unorthodox style masks real creativity and Michael Kayode is a attacking back who delivers the long throws that are vital part of the arsenal. Caoimhín Kelleher, who produced a spot-kick stop from United’s Bruno Fernandes, is relishing being a No 1 keeper and the winger, the departed star's successor on the wing, netted the goal versus Aston Villa in August that earned Andrews’s first home win.
Style and Philosophy
With Andrews, the Bees remain all-action, flinty, difficult to face. Although a slightly reserved publicly than his predecessor, Andrews – a former broadcaster on the Irish radio station who previously held a lengthy role as among the broadcaster's Championship analysts – handles the press relations effectively. After his team secured a point from the Blues after a Schade's long throw that raised chaos, he reflected on the set-piece specialism, and the “disruption” it creates, that is now incorporated into the majority of teams’ makeup. “I felt there is a little bit of snobbery in the game regarding scenarios like that, but when the big boys employ it then it seems to be tolerated,” the coach said.
Inspirational Personalities and Criticism
Andrews has attempted to refresh the squad by inviting a pair of Irish athletic icons, the rugby star the former captain and successful golf leader the golfer, to address to his team. Not everyone from back home is supportive on Ireland’s first Premier League manager since Chris Hughton. Andrews questioned the national team regime of the former manager and the ex-captain during his media career. The former boss has been scathing; Keane a little more conciliatory towards someone he gave the full treatment in recent years. “I’ve heard a number of bullshitters in the past decade and Keith Andrews is among them with the best of them,” were Keane’s words. The manager taking on the Brentford challenge is the most accurate test of that and the strength of his team's foundations.