As usual, lemonjelly is hugely indebted to darlowolf!
Last night was a good game of football. Brentford showed that you can play against wolves and compete. Please take note mr warnock et al. There were no dirty tricks, off the ball stuff, time wasting etc. Brentford played well. They were organised,, and played in the right way. As a result, in the first half, though we had 4-5 good chances to score (leo off the post, costa & doherty with one on ones), brentford bossed possession without creating any major threat. The result was a generally entertaining game of football - 2 sides who were looking to play. I was impressed by canos(?) their number 47 in the first half. We shut him down totally in the 2nd half and he was withdrawn without touching the ball I think.
Brentford played well, and as a result I hope they make the top 6. If they had a striker like SEB in his prime, they would be a major threat. Good to see a team look to play against us, and it had some reward, as the crowd were subdued. The SB was quieter than normal (I blame 3 missing yorkshire men!) and kudos to the SB for singing "we'll sing on our own", as to be fair, they were the only noisy stand at the time. For large sections of the first half, Brentford controlled the ball, and a lot of the game, yet didn't create any real chances.
Wolves came out for the 2nd half like they'd been roasted. On it from the off, getting an instant shot, followed by a corner. We were pumped, Nuno I think wasn't pleased at how we did first half (even though we could have had 2 or 3!) 2nd half we obliterated them. Costa lasted 10 mins, and once again Cav was absolutely immense. He was everywhere, chasing down, harrying, and gave Brentford something to think about. Too many expected Bazza to take the freekick, but it wasn't in the right place for a left footer, and Nees placing the ball showed he fancied it, and it was superb. Within 2 minutes another break like lightening resulted in Bazza sliding in a superb goal, and we'd spent the first 15 mins of the 2nd half totally in Brentfords half. It resulted in the game being effectively over. We created additional chances and could've scored a couple more before Jota got his just desserts by scoring whilst on the ground from a corner.
ruddy - very little to do really
bennett - gets better every time. I recall one incident in the 1st half where the SB were screaming at him to clatter a brentford player. he didn't and got dogs abuse, yet it was the right call staying on his feet as he got the ball and played it out of defence well. That position is 100% his at the moment, and if he keeps performing & improving, may well turn out to be a really useful signing. I think he reads the game well.
Coady - imperious last night. He's become a 7/10 performer week in week out.
Boly - back to his best. Some sublime passing from him.
Doherty - had a great game I thought, not just with the bombing up & down, he added to this with elements of skill - flicks, turns, and numerous occasions where he (like so many players) controlled a ball brilliantly. This control is definitely something the team have been working on, as loads of players control long balls exceptionally well.
Neves - the man is a dream to watch play football. The way he moves is awesome. The manner he turns and loses players is something else. Kevin McDonald used to be able to find space with relative ease, but Neves makes McDonald look an amateur, and also has so much more to his game. His passing, and that exceptional free kick! Just wow!
Saiss - again had a really good game. I think Saiss is very important to how we play, he gets forward a lot, yet the amount of times I see him covering the wing backs is amazing. Works exceptionally hard.
Costa - I really thought he was going to score last night. He needs a goal from open play. Starting to get there, looks a lot more mobile.
Bonatini - whatta worker this fella is! and how creative he can be too. His off the ball work is superb. Another who really deserved a goal last night.
Jota - never gives up. Also, in spite of there being 3 players on him, you still back him to come away with the ball.
Subs
Cav - just imperious! What energy he brings. A ball of pure energy racing around the field, closing Brentford down consistently. And his through balls too are awesome.
Hause - On for Boly, and slotted in like he's never been away. Talk yesterday of him going - no fucking chance on this showing. Hause is a player imo. Ok, it was only 10 mins, but he was involved, twice stopped Brentford attacks, and played the ball out really well.
Enobakhare - again looked part of the team when he came on. A few nice touches to control the ball whilst on the left. Linked up with other players well.
Couple of other points I noticed:
In the first half, Costa, Leo and Jota swapped about a hell of a lot. I saw all 3 in each others position. Indeed I started getting confused as to which one was where, owing to their interchangeability.
The wing backs know when they need to play on the other side (usually following corners, either for or against us) because bazza takes a lot of the ones on the right, and weirdly because of the posts they defend when we are defending a corner. However this highlights how Nuno works organisationally, because they know their role, in the same way that when they bomb forward one of Saiss/Neves is covering them.
Crowd were subdued. Dunno if it was a post christmas thing, but Brentford played football and kept it for long periods. In the 2nd half Nuno clearly wanted more crowd noise. Cav really lifted the crowd.
