At the risk of tempting fate, the Bees’ midfield looks strong
Who’d be a columnist?
You give your opinions on your chosen subject and then wait for the reaction of readers – either good or bad.
The pressure is on even more when some of the audience are members of your own family – and when they somehow believe that your words can actually influence events.
Take as an example my first West London Sport piece of the season on Brentford’s start to the campaign.
In it I highlighted the superb scoring form of Clayton Donaldson, whose goal at Walsall the day before I put hands to keyboard was his third in two games and made him League One’s top scorer.
What has happened since my column was published?
Donaldson has had a five-game scoring drought during which he has continued to play well but has been unable to take the chances which have come his way.
Why has his scoring form changed? Has he been unlucky, is it about confidence or poor finishing?
No, apparently it is none of these. It is all because I wrote that piece, according to my teenage daughter, who also tells me to be quiet during games when I say certain individuals are playing well, in case they suddenly make a mistake (which actually they sometimes then do!)
Away from my apparent ability to influence Brentford’s season, September has actually been a pretty good month for the club.
The Bees have won two matches, earned two comeback draws and only lost once – and that was the game at Leyton Orient which left those watching at the ground and on TV staggered that their efforts came to nothing.
Without wanting to put the mockers on anything else, it is abundantly clear that the strength of the current squad is in midfield.
There are almost too many quality players battling for those four places each week – whether they are in a diamond formation or with two central and two wide players.
Jonathan Douglas and Adam Forshaw appear to be shoe-ins at the moment, while Harry Forrester and Sam Saunders look to be contesting another place.
That leaves Toumani Diagouraga, Kevin O’Connor, Tom Adeyemi and Ryan Fredericks, who had a great cameo appearance against Oldham, competing for the last spot.
Having that cover is important, especially with Forshaw carrying an injury that leaves him unable to play a full 90 minutes at the moment.
The rest of the team is more settled with Uwe Rosler’s first-choice defence appearing to be Harlee Dean and Tony Craig in the centre, flanked by Shaleum Logan and Jake Bidwell, and Donaldson and Farid El Alagui as his preferred strike duo.
While Leon Legge and Scott Barron are able to come in at the back, along with the versatile O’Connor, the squad looks a little light in the striker department with Paul Hayes the only other forward on the books.
Rosler may also have a decision to make over the goalkeeper’s spot with fellow West London Sport columnist Richard Lee back on the road to fitness and ready to challenge Simon Moore for his place.
October will be a busy month for the Bees, and the fans, with five home games and two long away trips.
After Shrewsbury’s visit on Tuesday, Brentford meet Crawley for the first ever-time….and then for the second time three days later in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The games with the Sussex side will have an added spice as they boast no fewer than six ex-Brentford players on their books.
While the likes of David Hunt and Billy Clarke are likely to be warmly welcomed back by supporters, there could well be a different reception for Gary Alexander, after his controversial departure during last season.
The other former Bees are Nicky Adams, John Akinde and recent loan signing Nathan Byrne.
It is a shame that the third Tuesday night home game of the month is against Coventry, one of the first fixtures people looked for when the list came out in June.
The match against the Sky Blues, Brentford’s first since the 1963/64 season, could have attracted a very healthy Saturday crowd but should still bring in a reasonable gate midweek.
Hartlepool are the month’s final visitors, while away from home the Bees visit Scunthorpe and relegated Doncaster on successive Saturdays.
When November dawns with the clocks having gone back and the FA Cup first round on the horizon we should have a much clearer picture of how Brentford’s season’s is going to go.
And if the midfield has fallen apart, you’ll know who to blame.
Follow me on Twitter at @ianwestbrook
