I’m really not sure that I have much to say that’s any different from what I’ve said in the last few weeks, to be honest.
It’s very much the same old, same old, where we just have to keep winning games if we’re to get a play-off place.
Yet we haven’t been achieving those wins and we’ve only got six points from our last five games.
How we’re still in the top six (via goal difference) is somewhat beyond me.
Yet we are where we are and it could definitely be worse.
Unfortunately, this is another Sky game, where I fully expect our poor run of televised games to continue.
The good news is I’ve done my tax returns and have the added bonus where I’m due a few quid back.
Which means, having subscribed for a one week Sky pass, I’ll be able to watch the game.
So what do we know?
Brentford sit in 12th place and their form is a bit better than ours, in having eight points from the last five games. The same as us, they’ve only lost once, so are obviously fairly tough to beat.
Squad-wise, Josh Clarke and Henrik Dalsgaard might be in contention to return tonight while Alan Judge continues to work his way back to full-fitness. Up front Lasse Vibe lasted an hour on Friday on his return from a three-week injury lay-off, so he might be doubtful.
On our part, Gabby is out (again), along with John Terry, Henri Lansbury, Chris Samba and Jonathan Kodjia.
Onomah might be available.
You can see Steve Bruce’s words in the Twitter timeline on the right of the page (or maybe not, as I’m seeing “media can’t be played?).
So I can’t see much changing team-wise, with the only question being will Bruce go with Jedinak as a central defender again after his poor showing in the last game?
We have Elphick available, but will Bruce use him? It might be good timing for him to put himself in the shop window, but I don’t see it, as much as it’s the pragmatic option.
Against my better judgement, I think Grealish will start, as he did at least offer something. I still don’t see that we have the team that suits his play, but there you go.
It seems Hogan will start too, as the manager has been talking about how it’s his time and as much as I’d like him to come good, I just don’t see that either.
Prediction time then and I’m going for the draw, as I really don’t see much else.
Brentford are tough to beat, we don’t look much like scoring and we’re on Sky again, where it seems we never win.
Then add in that they beat us 3-0 last season and I certainly don’t see us winning.
Which all in all sees me a bit depressed and longing for the days where we could strongly expect a win.
I’m tempted to say 0-0, but I’ll go for the 1-1.
Hourihane can do same job as Whelan & Jedinak on his own. They are to slow!
need a strong second half or shit will hit the fan
good job we are solid at the back lol
onomah does link well with grealish
Was just thinking will be doing well to not concede this half and we did….looking bleak.
oh dear another corner melt down
Rubbish defending again.
1-2 from the set piece.
Not a clue, the whole team, waiting ,out of position, parks stuff. Whelan fuck him off.
i am sorry but the players have give up and are not giving anything near their ability,. we will be lucky to not get hammmered here. let alone beaten
they are enjoying themselves taking the piss out of us
Running riot through the middle, doesn’t he know how to sow it up.
davis coming on but they need to keep hogan on go two up
Bruce out. Dean Smith in. Problem solved. Bruce negative as always. Sets up to avoid defeat and devoid of ideas when losing.
we are a joke at the back. getting worse game by game
Bruce has improved us to a solid mid table championship team and will take us no further. Outdated manager. Time for a change. Bruce out!
Who do we blame Nath, only one person who finds excuse after excuse, I’ve now had enough of his mentality on football , he’s inept of knowing tactical moves. Hope Dr Tony sakes him.
they are finally starting to move and pass and use some imagination and vision . but they are over chasing at times. i blame it on the boogie
they start playing now with little over ten minutes
This has been a pathetic performance. We create so little its quite shocking! Im actually shocked were in the position were in. If we didnt have Adomah!!??
In hindsight Adommahs goals have papered over the cracks of how shite we really are. I’ve backed Bruce up until tonight but I’ve had enough of him. Get someone else in and give them a chance second half of season.
2-2
Maybe not then!!
So… We’re out of the top 6, and now 8th. Even though some said we wouldn’t drop out of a top 6 spot. We could be as low depending on results as 10th by the weekend. But Bruce isn’t the problem… And some say tactics mean little, yet watch this pile of shit every week, complain every week about it, but tactics aren’t the issue.
Andrew. I really though Bruce would get us up. After this December, a month that you would expect an EXPERIENCED manager to understand the importance of picking up points we are falling out of contention. His tactics have been shit all season and his signings have not improved us bar Terry. I’m finished with this shit until he is sacked. The sooner the better.
Bruce Out
He had to go a while ago, but he 100% has to go now. We have Boro at the weekend. The team that sacked the great Monk, who some of our fans wanted, and they still managed to win today. 9 points off 2nd. Who according to one guy every time we lost, we were still close too… Not anymore. 17 points off first. How pathetic is that with the squad we have? 17 points. We have Boro then Bristol City who sit second. Another two losses coming up.
Bruce has been the problem all season. As usual it takes too long and there’s too much damage by the time the fans turn and the penny drops with the owners.
Xia must have the knife in his hand, and I hope he has been putting the work in behind the scenes to prepare for another manager. Get someone in who plays attacking football and we might just turn this around.
Stick with Bruce and the season is over.
IV now seen the muppets twice this Xmas!
Put Snodgrass on the shit list, lazy bastard! Loan players don’t care! What does he contribute
Enough is enough.
BRUCE OUT!!!!
I’m reserving judgement and I’ll maybe post something tomorrow.
Suffice to say that Brentford play exactly like the team I hoped we’d be this season.
We have been frankly awful over the last few weeks and it’s hard to take positives after that 🙁
I wanted Bruce up till recently but it looks like the modern fast moving game has left him behind. Most of our players are picked to be solid. A back four and 2 defensive slow midfielders combined with a right sided left footed sloth in snodgrass. Where is the pace? Only grealish and Adomah offer creativity. Mid table this season unless major changes made I feel.
dwight yorke for new manger. boy we were crap. slow ponderousness. clueless and defence is a crying shame. shambles every unit and Brentford were the better team by miles. should have beaten us more comfortable than it ended.