The new Premier League campaign begins for the Eagles with a short trip to West London where they will take on Brentford this Sunday.
With all the hope and excitement that a new season brings, we had a chat with Bees fan and author of ‘A Pub On Each Corner‘ Jonathan Burchill to find out how the summer has treated Brentford and to find out how fans are feeling ahead of the big kick off.
TEB – How was Brentford’s pre-season? What fixtures did you have and were there any stand-out players?
JB – Only four friendlies in front of fans (a couple were behind closed doors). After a 5-2 win away at AFC Wimbledon, we followed that up with three draws; 1-1 at Benfica, 1-1 at Watford before a 4-4 against Wolfsburg at home. Generally, quite a few substitutions during games, so hard to take too much from them, other than there were lots of goals!
New signing Igor Thiago scored a couple at Wimbledon and look very interesting, but picked up a meniscus injury which required an operation, so he will be side-lined for months.
TEB – Are you happy with your summer transfer business? Were there any areas not strengthened that should have been?
JB – Igor Thiago looks good for when he returns, then out of nowhere we signed Fábio Carvalho from Liverpool. Looks like another player who could make an impact but not quite sure where he will fit into our current formation.
We have had a couple of deals fall through so would still expect to see a new defender and possibly another winger and/or midfielder. Going this close to Transfer Deadline Day is very unusual for us as we like to get business done early.
TEB – Ivan Toney has been a major talking point for the past year for good and bad reasons. What are your thoughts on him?
JB – For me he is already a club legend after four years with us. In the club’s history he has scored more penalties than anyone else, and has the best conversation rate, he has the most England caps for a Brentford player, and is the first to score an England goal; 72 goals in 141 Bees games speaks for itself. He has served us well and it is generally accepted that he will go with good wishes – but only for the right price!
TEB – Do you see Thomas Frank as the manager to take Brentford to the next level after the last couple of seasons?
JB – He is still the right manager for us. The club has developed so much in the last few years and he has been at the centre of it. Having been out of the top tier since 1947, it has been a very long wait to get back and the majority of fans have been grateful for having three years in the Premier League. Next level for us is possibly reaching a cup final, something we have never achieved, so maybe we could this season, with a bit of luck.
TEB – Expectations for the upcoming season?
JB – Last season we had the highest number of injuries we’ve ever had in 135 years, plus missing Toney for half a season. We averaged seven players missing in every game, and these were key players. So hopefully we can have a season where Thomas Frank has to make decisions for the matchday squad, rather than having the team self-selecting by who is fit. It would be great if we could also get back to picking up some points off the bigger clubs, as we did in the first couple of seasons, which included doing the double over Manchester City in 2022/23.
TEB – What are your thoughts on Palace under Oliver Glasner? What do you expect from the Eagles this season as an opposition fan?
JB – Palace had an impressive run-in. I’m sure you will be comfortably in the middle group of clubs this season and won’t be anywhere close to looking over your shoulder at relegation. Competition for European places is so tight and maybe a bit of a stretch.
TEB – If you could sign one player from Palace, who would it be?
JB – Marc Guéhi impressed at the Euros with England, so would be a welcome addition, but cannot see that happening in a month of Sundays!
TEB – Favourite away day in the Premier League?
JB – Probably has to be Craven Cottage, as Fulham are our nearest local rivals, which always makes for a good atmosphere.
TEB – Predictions for the game and final score?
JB – You certainly had an impressive 3-1 win over us at Selhurst Park last December, although the other five games we have had in the Premier League have all been draws. Prior to our promotion to the Premier League we had not been on each others fixture list for years. Our last home win (then at Griffin Park) against you was back in 1963, and yours was in 1957. I have a feeling it is going to be another draw, maybe 2-2 this time.
TEB – And finally Jonathan, tell us a little about your book, ‘A Pub On Each Corner‘?
JB – Well, it records the events at Griffin Park from 1904 to 2020 when it was the iconic home of Brentford Football Club. Season by season it covers not just the football but other events which took place there and becomes a social history into a typical football club.
Specifically, Palace get quite a few mentions including a recording breaking crowd in our non-league years; the season where both fixtures ended 6-3 to the home side; the Christmas Day game where the Bees won 8-2 with two players score hat-tricks; the link between our two clubs, the Munich air disaster; and also stories of some of those who have been involved with both our clubs, like Mr Noades.
