There’s been quite a few false dawns to date this season and I’m actually hoping our excellent show in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw in opposition to Liverpool isn’t the newest one. We’ve to kick on now.
It’s an enormous interval in our season and that midweek show is one thing to construct on, particularly with a cup quarter-final and really winnable video games in opposition to Leicester (H) and Ipswich (A) following our difficult journey to Brentford on Saturday.
The reality is, we’re typically filled with vitality, depth, dedication and menace when taking up any of the ‘massive six’ at St James’ Park, which is a big hat tip to Eddie Howe but in addition raises questions as to why we’re typically a little bit passive in opposition to among the ‘lesser’ sides we ought to be beating.
Our final away recreation – a 1-1 draw at Palace that includes only one shot all afternoon – was nowhere close to ok and we are able to’t see a repeat of that right here, with Brentford’s house report one of the best within the league to date this season.
The Bees have scored 22 objectives of their seven house video games to date, the place they’ve received six, drawn one and misplaced none, however we’ve crushed them in all of our final three journeys to West London.
With Chelsea now eight factors away from us and European rivals like Spurs, Man Utd, Aston Villa and Brighton all displaying patchy type, the festive interval is an enormous probability to construct our personal momentum and get ourselves up the league after such a stop-start first third of the 2024/25 season.
Howe’s pre-match feedback
Howe on potential rotation – “That’s one thing we’re going to debate at size at this time and attempt to discover the best steadiness between change and consistency of choice.
“There have been some drained our bodies within the workforce. Tonali had cramp with quarter-hour to go, Gordon was fatigued on the finish of his efficiency, which was very, superb and naturally while you empty like that and also you give a lot to the sport, there’s gonna be a success.
“Alex [Isak] additionally labored extraordinarily arduous and he was drained on the finish in order that our job is to refuel the group and go once more in what’s one other nice alternative for us.”
Howe on Brentford take a look at forward – “Everytime you go away from house the intention that you simply set within the recreation and the way you begin the sport is essential. The early exchanges provide you with plenty of clues to how the sport goes to go.
“We have to discover a option to win, it is a huge one for us. I’m very constructive about what we are able to ship. It’s a powerful task at Brentford, they’ve been in good type.”
Howe on Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton – “I believed the midfield three labored rather well. I believe they need to in that recreation. Liverpool are superb in midfield. They’ve plenty of motion and rotations in there themselves.
“So I believe we’ve to discover a option to making an attempt to regulate that midfield space and I believe the most important praise I may give is the opponents – I believed we had been superb in that division, particularly within the first 45 minutes.
“As I stated, I believed their positioning on the pitch is de facto good. There was plenty of fluid actions, plenty of rotations, however nonetheless the construction was what I needed it to be. So, yeah, nice indicators for the longer term.”
Howe on our struggles vs the ‘lesser’ groups – “Yeah [frustrated] to a level. Sure, as a result of I believe in these video games that you simply talked about we haven’t carried out our greatest. So it’s been an enormous frustration for me.
“I don’t wish to use cliches so I used to be making an attempt to avoid them however within the Premier League this yr it has not simply been us that’s been in that place. Essentially the most constant workforce have been Liverpool and that’s why they’re the place they’re and the problem for everybody within the league is nice to seek out that run. And we’re very a lot a workforce in that mould and we’ve the power to do it.”
Staff information
Kieran Trippier is “enhancing” after lacking out on Wednesday via sickness, however a call might be made at this time as as to if he’ll return at Brentford.
Rotation is one to observe on the Gtech as we method our fourth recreation in 11 days, with Howe admitting on Friday morning that Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak had been all fatigued after such an enormous effort in opposition to Liverpool.
Sven Botman remains to be a “few weeks” away from enjoying competitively, however has “regarded good” after resuming full coaching. Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles stay out, whereas Tonali, Schar and Joelinton are all a reserving away from suspension.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Corridor – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
I’m toying between an unchanged XI – Howe’s traditional response to a powerful efficiency – or a few adjustments, which the supervisor has hinted at after such an enormous bodily effort in opposition to Liverpool.
With Trippier unwell via the week, I believe we are able to rule out any adjustments on the again, whereas that midfield three of Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton absolutely wants a run of video games (if potential) after the trio complimented one another so nicely on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, if Tonali is affected by fatigue we may see Longstaff come again in. Equally, if Joelinton is moved to the wing (a standard swap away from house of late) then there’s house on the left of our midfield three for Willock.
Match prediction
My head stated a 1-1 draw at Palace in my prediction final weekend and my coronary heart stated a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in my final match preview. Selecting which one to steer with right here is difficult, however I believe the top guidelines the center in relation to Newcastle away from house.
All eyes could also be on reported Toon goal Bryan Mbeumo for the Bees, however Yoan Wissa is one to observe additionally, with the striker scoring seven in 5 house appearances this season below Thomas Frank.
I can see a number of objectives on this one – there’s been 10 in Brentford’s final two house video games! – and a rating draw, that includes one other purpose for Alexander Isak and
Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Newcastle
Howay the lads!