Brentford v Crewe Match Reports & Reaction

[josht]

Well that was fun. I think that was the performance Uwe has been trying to put together for the best part of 12 months.

Don't think anyone played badly, although I think Barron is suffering of bit of low confidence, put that will pick up as he keeps on having a run in the team.

Obviously some big performances, but I'd probably highlight Dean, Logan, Toumani and O'Connor. Dean had probably his best performance during his 9 months with us. Got his head on everything, a bit of silky footwork for our third and a commanding performance playing out from the back.

Dave was excellent. He keeps things ticking over, makes sure the ball is always moving and has an excellent touch. O'Connor added a bit of composure and calm in the midfield, and Logan had a storming game - defensively he has really improved on last year, and is really getting stuck in.

Donaldson's first goal was a great first touch which gave him plenty of space, good finish too. Didn't really see what happen with Farid's first (did the ball get caught up in the water?) but decent finish, same with his second. He seems to find himself in the right places, and you could easily see him getting 10+ goals this season. Didn't really see how Donaldson's second went in, seemed to wrong foot the keeper, after good work from Forrester when he came on.

Donaldson has now got 3 goals in 2 games, and he seemed really up for it today. Clicking well with Farid.

I'd probably give Barron a 7/10 today, whereas every other starter would be on an 8, 9 or 10. Hayes looked very useful when he came on too, a couple of nice touches and you can see he'll be a handful in the air.

I see no reason why we can't repeat this performance next week at Walsall, and that could put us on a nice little run. Crewe aren't an awful tea, but we completely tore them apart today.

[JTofBFC]

Good win against a side who are considerably worse than Yeovil. I think some of those thinking we should just have rolled Yeovil over on Tuesday should consider they thrashed Scunthorpe 4-0 today away from home and are looking a very useful side. We won't win every home game by a long way but any that stayed away today just because we lost one home match then you missed an excellent performance.

I'm not KOC's biggest fan but the diamond seemed to suit him today and he made a big difference. Dean and Logan also had excellent games. I'm still not convinced about the Millwall pair especially Barron. I think the addition of Bidwell would make a massive difference to our side and promotion chances.

Strikers both took their chances well and there was a nice 10 minute cameo from Forrester. Saunders looks a bit off the pace at the moment though it was an excellent delivery for Harlee's goal. Overall it was an entertaining game played in some atrocious conditions at times. The pitch didn't seem to be cutting up which is obviously good.

Onwards and upwards.

[NorthamptonBee]

KOC man of the match, forwards looked likely to form a partnership, great day out, the first 25 was complete domination.

[King John]

Barron was awful

[Downbeat Bee]

KOC man of the match, forwards looked likely to form a partnership, great day out, the first 25 was complete domination.

KOC excellent. New striker clinical. Enjoyable game especially in spite of the downpour.

[LingfieldBee]

The other day I told my mum, I think I've seen the new pele, she said to me who is he, I said he name was Harlee Dean

[motherwell bee]

Barron was awful

That's the spirit no he wasn't he done alright why the **** would u choose to slate a player after a 5-1 win speechless

[mundee4england]

Solid performance today. Kev and Dean made a real difference, Dean winning everything and Kev understanding his role in the diamond and remaining disciplined... The number of times he got his foot in and broke down their play was notable!

The midfield linked well with Dave and Douglas keeping us ticking over and Logan provided width down the right.

The strikers had a good day and whilst Farid is a bit rough round the edges he does not hesitate when he gets a sight on goal and took his first goal extremely well today. Clayton is looking confident and his touch and finish for his first were that of a man on form. Hayes came in and showed some class, was unlucky to have had a good header well saved. It is refreshing to have three good strikers to choose from, when strikers get goals teams do well!

All in all it was a very good performance and although they were poor, we went after them and other than a couple of 10/15 minute spells we didn't let them into the game.

Although I'm keen to give him time I thought Barron was poor again today, lightweight and seems to struggle positionally... I was not surprised to see Craig shifted to left back. I really hope he comes good but I worry about him.

I didn't think Saunders had a great game either and he seems to be struggling to get a foot hold in games at present, I would like to see Forrester given a run.

Forshaw was the player of the season before today then we win 5-1 in his absence.... Funny old game, interesting to see where he comes back in as Kev should not be dropped after today, IMO it was his presence that made the diamond work!

[Brentford 4 Life]

Dean, King Kev or El Alagui could claim MOM today but the rest were decent. Credit to Uwe for getting his tactics right, having Douglas and Dave pressing higher up and making things happen in their half whilst having Kev sweeping up worked superbly and stopped Crewe entering our half most of the game. Great day out and the perfect response to Tuesday role on Walsall.

[hidden hamster]

Barron was awful

We win 5-1 and this is what you choose to say about it?

[Big Seb]

The OS league table says we are 6th, played 4, 7 points, plus 7 GD it is so good this new site it can see into the future

[Adam]

Great performance and certainly puts Tuesday slightly out of mind. Barron is rubbish though unfortunately. My uncle said during the game over the season Craig will move to left back and maybe someone else will come in centre half. Well it happened a bit quicker than expected! Dean, Logan and Kev were quality today.

[Brentford 4 Life]

Barron was awful

No need to scape goat him. He was fine today and will grow in confidence and fitness hopefully.

[abellbee]

Those people that knock KOC need to look at the bigger picture - his contribution today was immense, he allowed Douglas & Dave to get forward which in the absence of Forshaw was essential, he broke down numerous attacks by sheer persistence & his cool head laying off a simple ball & supporting others when needed might not get you noticed & talked about but in this division a player who can bring out the best in other players around him which as far as i'm concerned was the case with Harlee, Dave & Shay is priceless.

[hidden hamster]

For half an hour Crewe simply couldn't cope with us. We were unbelievably good. Dean had a storming game, Kev coming in helped us to keep our shape in midfield and so good to see our strikers finding the net. This will hopefully give us the confidence to go on a decent run. You Reds!

[Brentford_till_die]

We started really well, good tempo and put Crewe on the back foot.*
The first 30minutes saw very good passing and pressure.*
Some amazing passings and runs at times, we dominated possession.
Crewe couldn't cope with it and looked very shakey at the back. Think Moore only touched the ball once in 30mins?!*
The players were up for it.

Kevin stood out from the off. Probably my man of the match which is a tough one. Controlled the play, spreading and switching the ball quickly and accurately. Helping others out and closin down Crewe's play. I think he is and will be very important player for us this season.

Toumani had a really goodgame and was involved a lot more. Some great runs and balls forward to the strikers.

Donaldson was brilliant, held the ball up well, took his first goal was really well. A good cross from Farid and his first touch set himself up and slotted home at the far post.3goals in 2games.

Farid is a proper striker, no nonsense if he has the ball there he will strike it. 2goals in 2games. Very strong in the air and wins a lot of headers. Him and Clayton have linked up well before and same again today. Good cross from him into Donaldson for the first one. Farid took his goals very well.

Dean was an absolute brut at the back, won everything. Probably best game I've seen him have.

Logan was really important to us. He got forward well, made could use with his passes and linked with others well. Assist in the first half and lots of good crosses put in to the box.

Barron played ok, was better than Tuesday and grew into the game. Got forward few times but did get easily turned once in the first half.

[Brentford_till_die]

Dean, King Kev or El Alagui could claim MOM today but the rest were decent. Credit to Uwe for getting his tactics right, having Douglas and Dave pressing higher up and making things happen in their half whilst having Kev sweeping up worked superbly and stopped Crewe entering our half most of the game. Great day out and the perfect response to Tuesday role on Walsall.

Good post

[Ken Richardson]

What a pleasant surprise. Very happy with the result and it would appear the player performances

[wanderer paul]

The Bees were excellent for the first 25 minutes. Crewe didn't have a clue. A great strike by Donaldson for the 1st and then 2 strikes from Farid which were well taken also. Good to see both forwards clinical in front of goal.

Having KOC sitting in front of the back 4 gives Douglas and Saunders the freedom to run the game. Toumani doing the grafting. Dean was excellent and scored a good header, a cross by Saunders and a loud shout of "Harlee's!". Logan solid. Thought Craig and Barron had a good first half but got caught for Crewe's goal. Both coming from Millwall I expected them to have a solid understanding. Maybe lacking an out and out left sided midfielder is a problem for Barron? Thats the only question mark from the game.

I'd love to see Forrester given a go in place of Saunders to see if he can add a bit more as he has some ability.

No real complaints. Who could have? Well done Uwe. Something to build on now.

[Brentford_till_die]

Those people that knock KOC need to look at the bigger picture - his contribution today was immense, he allowed Douglas & Dave to get forward which in the absence of Forshaw was essential, he broke down numerous attacks by sheer persistence & his cool head laying off a simple ball & supporting others when needed might not get you noticed & talked about but in this division a player who can bring out the best in other players around him which as far as i'm concerned was the case with Harlee, Dave & Shay is priceless.

Spot on.

[Wooburn Bee]

Spot on.

Koc ironically may be most difficult player to replace in current system as only he is best suited to that defensive midfield role. We have good options in most other positions

[Ubee]

Come on you reds! Well that's fully justified the 400mile round trip. First off, a really great team performance - this team IS capable of getting promoted this season. Sure, we'll have bad days, and we might need a bit of tinkering, but on the basis of this performance the team has got it in them.

The team started well, Uwe deciding to stick with his cultured diamond formation despite the whoopsie of Tuesday evening. Dean returned to fitness and partnered alongside Craig, with Kev replacing Forshaw and taking up the holding role in midfield. Although Crewe looked like they had potential and could pass the ball around without too much difficultly, and Pogba looked like he might be a handful, the first half was all Brentford. The Bees were quick to close down everything, and the constant pressure forced a litany of mistakes from the Crewe defence. First goal from Donaldinho was very nicely taken, turned his man nicely on the right hand side of the goal before shooting across the face of the goal into the inside-side netting. One nil.

Bees kept the pressure piled on, with a relentless passing game that niggled for openings. A few warning signs for Crewe, their defenders going walkies across the face of goal leading to Bees forcing a good save from their No.1. Crewe couldn't take the pressure and eventually broke, one of their CB's taking a poor touch allowing El Alagui to run on to the ball and smash it home from the edge of the box. A straightforward chance, but the Moroccan took it cleanly and showed us what we'd been missing last season with some simple yet clinical finishing. Kiss the coin, two nil.

Crewe had their only half-chance of the half - if you're being kind - as Moore mis-punched a ball straight up in the air, only to run back and catch it himself. No threat at all, and Bees aren't faced with any problems at all. Bees keep the pressure on with good incisive passing football, moving up the pitch with real intent. Everyone fancies another goal, and after Harlee Dean does a couple of step-overs and gets by four Crewe players, the ball is at the other end for El Alagui to cannon in his second. All happened so quickly, the team's really keeping their eye on the ball. Kiss the coin, three nil.

First 10 minutes of the second half were the only time Crewe looked lively, but the Bees were holding it tight. Crewe goal comes from a run and cross down their right-hand side, not sure if Barron was to blame or not, but if a goal was going to come it was always going to be from that side. Three - one.

The Bees aren't rattled, but the football starts to go a little bit flat, so Uwe looks lively and gets Hayes on for El Alagui to a standing ovation. Crewe have nothing but keep lumping it forward under pressure - Dean was imperious, and completely dominated the back four, winning everything in the air and looking good on the deck. It seemed only fitting that the Man of the Match (in my eyes) slipped in a header to seal the game. Four - one.

Crewe have got four strikers on the pitch by now, but it doesn't seem to faze the Bees, who keep it tight and limit Crewe to a few half-chances and headers wide of the post. Wet conditions and the ball is slippy, but despite three or four Crewe corners in a row, Moore finally manages to get his arms around the ball. Straight down the right hand side and a peach of a ball to Clayton, who carries the ball forward completely on his own, looks up and smacks it under the keeper. A massive grin from Donaldinho but he keeps his cool and doesn't celebrate. Game Over, Five One.

The whole team played well, and despite two goals each for El Alagui and Donaldinho, Dean wins MOM for me for an outstanding display with a fully deserved goal. I think Kev really is the answer in that defensive mid-field role, and whilst Craig looks like he is settling, I remain to be convinced by Barron.

Roll on Walsall!

[Lee The Bee]

Fantastic team performance today. Felt immediately comfortable when I saw Kev in the team. I think with him in the team the diamond really works as the holding role is clearly not suited to Douglas's game.
As good as Forshaw looks it would be hard to drop any of the midfield for him next week.
The defence looked excellent at times today & credit must go to tony craig who put in a solid performance to show that tuesday was just a bad day at the office. I sadly have to agree with the comments regarding Barron looking low on confidence though. Especially after getting caught out of position again for crewes goal. Hopefully a run of games will get him up to speed with everyone else.
I'll finish by noting how lovely it is to see a Brentford strike force bagging a brace each & have an equally dangerous looking replacement coming off the bench.
Onwards & upwards!!

[magicbees]

So so happy we look a threat up front at long last, but special mention to KOC in the defensive midfield role, we have been missing that role for the last 3 games.

[chizbee]

Superb.....nuff said.