Taking my hat off to Brentford 👏🏻

[Deeping_white]

I actually think that they could very well have continued to struggle had Eriksen not basically fallen into their lap. Because they were seriously struggling after a good start, and had almost fallen down into the relegation fight. I think this just shows that while the difference between the Premier League and the Championship is big, it is definitely possible to manage it with some consistency and a slice of good fortune. I don't think Brentford has recruited anything special and I don't think their players are very good (for the level they are playing at), but they have managed to find unity and consistency by sticking to their plan.

I suspect that if they get off to a bad start next season they may very well finish last, certainly a risk if Eriksen leaves. But if they manage a few good additions and get off to a good start they may well finish mid table again. The margins are fine even at that level and as such even though their squad is worse than Leeds and Burnley and a lot worse than Everton they have overcome that in style.

We can deifinitely do the same since our squad is much closer to being ready than the last few times, and our staff also seem much more ready. If we can build confidence through a good start I believe we have every chance to be next years Brentford/Leeds/Sheffield United etc.

+1 they'd won 2 of their last 13 games prior to Eriksen signing and were sinking faster than the Titanic. If he goes then they're in big trouble next season because they had well and truly been found out.

[Andy S]

Lots of things can play a part in a team staying up including injuries and suspensions. Even when you play the bigger teams. Last year Watford had a reasonable start and never played any of the bigger teams until October. At that time they were in a reasonable position. For whatever reason they bought in Ranieri and from then they played some bigger teams and sank. This year with the World Cup and no games from November to Boxing Day it could be tough. Especially with players not on international duty taking ax holiday and needing to get up to speed again

[Kingjay81]

Brentford's recruitment department is up there with the best in the country. Fair play to them.

[Somerset Fulham]

Leeds did the same last season  struggling like mad now
second season syndrome and all that.

They did, but I would put that down purely to Bielsa killing them. He's done it wherever he's gone.

[FFC1987]

Leeds did the same last season  struggling like mad now
second season syndrome and all that.

They did, but I would put that down purely to Bielsa killing them. He's done it wherever he's gone.

:022: Personally I think sacking him killed them tbh.

[Somerset Fulham]

Welcome to your opinion of course, not sure what the eye rolling was about though.

[FFC1987]

Welcome to your opinion of course, not sure what the eye rolling was about though.

Unless I'm getting the emoji wrong, I read that to be confused, shy face as the eyes don't roll, they look up and side to side? Wasn't meant derogatory. Was more suggesting I don't think that will be a widely held view as many called for his sacking.

[Somerset Fulham]

Ah cool, apologies for misunderstanding!

He was taking them down faster than the captain of the Titanic though so am happy to stick with my view of it.

[The Rock]

What Brentford have done is succeeded in staying up, where Fulham have failed twice in two attempts.
So all credit to them and it nice to see comparatively small clubs mix it with the so called big boys and stand their ground.
They have had some memorable victories this season.

Therefore why can't we, what did they do that we did not, what did we do that they did not.
Their scouting system and recruitment is standing them in good stead, and the evidence has shown that they are having more success with that than we are.

These days it is not what may or may not happen in the future as the future is uncertain.
So it is about insuring we stay up, and the best chance is to take advantage of the extra time we have to prepare to condition and organise, and target experienced players for key positions especially at the back, who have a strong mentality, and that goes for all recruits, it is the character of players which you won't find on a computer. At least survive the first season and review the next step.
Do not recruit players who think they need time to settle, that is foolhardy.
We need players who will make an impact from day one.

Surely we need to bring players in to be involved in preseason training and friendlies and be familiarised with the mechanics of Fulham.

Deadline day signings will not help in the early fixtures, we need to get points on the board early, build on it and keep it ticking over.

We cannot afford to make the same mistakes for the third time.
We need winners and leaders in the ranks because every match whoever we play will be a Cup Final.

The plus is that some of our players have had the experience of playing in these Premier League games so it won't be new to everyone.

Targets for first, second and third choices have no doubt been drawn up, and we have to assume surgery will start to commence.
In the meantime all sorts of rumours will spread to get people excited or not excited, and most will just be gossip and rumour mongering.

Best policy i advise if the suspense is hard to take is to either shove off to Tim Buc To for a couple months, and fo not check newspapers or the internet or sky sports,  or join a Monastery or become a recluse until end of July, and then return to the land of the living, and then all will revealed, a bit like waiting for Christmas Day.


Will some players make you feel that you are getting  a new set of Golf Clubs and a Crate of your favourite Booze, or will certain players be compared to a new pair of carpet slippers that are one size too small, or a Tie you know as soon as you unwrap the paper you will never wear.

So the moral of the story is just wait and see who visits Motspur Park and likes what he sees.
No point worrying about it, it only gives you ulcers and arguing the toss and falling out with somebody because you disagree.
Best to relax chill out and take it easy, as there is plenty of time to rejoice and gripe when the time comes.

Good post. I like what Silva had to say about the additions that they more or less would be qualatative rather than quantative. The differences in our attempts vs. Brentford are clear. The manager, recruitment, and you always need a little rub of the green.

I loved SJ, and Parker was ok, but their style with the specific group of players in the specific league didn't work. All were probably to blame and in some cases just weren't good enough. Recruitment the first time around killed us for years to come. I just think (and hope) that the additions that are made are obvious upgrades. The Hangeland at CB, the Steed out wide, the Moussa Dembele in MF.  TK did a much better job last window. Lets hope that continues, because I think Silva is the best of the 3 gaffers mentioned and we are in an excellent position to have the best of the 3 squads next year as well.

[b+w geezer]

We'd not decline to praise Brentford if they were based up north, so I won't differ either just because they are local. But I will criticise them for one thing -- junking their academy. What if everyone did that?

Maybe if you are a lower league club you have the excuse that it''s unaffordable to train up the next generation and must be left for bigger fry to do so.  But at Championship level, let alone Premier, it's not how a senior member should be playing its part in skilling the industry.

As mentioned by others, they may well anyway come to regret the decision, particularly now EC citizens have lost automatic rights to work in the UK. Brentford's system may continue to excel at spotting relative unknowns in European leagues, but being able to bring them here will be harder.

So long as they remain either in the Prem or at least a parachute-paid Championship club, these issues are unlikely to bite. After than they are.