Pre match the dark clouds gathered over Griffin Park, a sign from the footballing gods perhaps, it was a gloomy scene and we all knew a storm was coming.
What we didn't know was, what came from the heavens was matched on the pitch in the first half hour as the Bees poured down and over a Crewe side and put on a display that confirmed to all, that this team can play! Sometimes a good manager needs to be a lucky manager and Uwe who's luck and judgement in the first two weeks has been as well received as a Kevin Pietersen text had the misfortune of losing the Bees best player this season Forshaw, before the game, to a twisted back, but in a quirky twist of fate, in came Kevin O'Connor to give Uwe's diamond system a polish and security that had been severly lacking so far in recent games. KOC gave a performance that purred, guv'nor and captain he steered the good ship Brentford into calm waters as the storm hit TW8.
12 mins in Farid, feisty, tall and a menace to the Crewe defence, whipped in a cross from the right, Clayton back to goal, his first touch was good, to get a yard away from Ellis, second touch even better, as he corkscrewed a shot low across the goal in off the post. Touch of Class from the ex Crewe man as he didn't celebrate wildy in front of the Alex fans but for us 1 nil we roared and even the thunder clapped!
Not long after, Farid seized on the centre half's nervous disposition whether it was the forked lightning or the Bees attack, Ellis had the wind up him and Farid intercepted his weak pass, El-Agagui bore down on goal, looked up and clipped a low shot past the outstretched Martin. 2 nil and Farid bounced towards the touchline like Tigger on LSD as he kissed his lucky "goal charm" a coin held by one of the coaching staff. Mind you Farid was so happy, he looked as if he'd kiss the whole bench if he'd have been given the chance. New Road cheered our new striker and character.
This was so much better, the storm eased up above but not on the pitch, the Bees swarmed, Dave and Douglas nipped and bit in midfield, Saunders got busy and tested Martin with a Sam free kick special 25 yards out, up and over that wall, goal all the way until the keepers desperate palm pushed it clear. Harlee back and the rock in defence, if KOC was the captain, here lies the apprentice in waiting. A block, a shove, a trick, a shimmy, graceful almost, as he kept his balance and out of a cluttered cul-de-sac, Dean came away from three tackles and set up Douglas down the right, out to Shaleum, who motored down the right wing, Logan whipped in a first time cross, it evaded Donaldson and the centre half Ellis who touched it on to the handily placed Farid who put it away firs ttime with his right peg. 3 nil, whistle for half time from the excellent ref Scott, who reffed in trying conditions with a maturity and common sense that L1 rarely sees, and the Bees left to a standing ovation and rightly so.
Crewe came out for the second half punch drunk but not out, 2 mins after the restart, Moore skinned Barron on the left, Craig came to cover but the cross was in, Harlee couldn't get a touch but the big man Pogba did, whack, high into Simon's net. 3-1 and time to focus.
Crewe played as Crewe do, tidy, pass, move, fast but loose. We looked tighter, O'Connor was the man for his position today, he out Douglas'd what Douglas usually does, which in turn gave our black beard licence to pillage and look more effective, Dougie and Dave looked a force for the first time this season. Sub time and Uwe consulted Kernaghan and Sam stayed on for the first time in 4. Hayes for Farid, fair enough, striker swap. Crewe looked to make a game of it, mainly down our left, Barron was subbed and Craig moved across and Leon sprinted on, a good call by Uwe, the defence unfortunately for Barron looked meaner, stronger and balanced with this substitution and the Bees kicked on.
Saunders happy to stay on, started to influence, he popped up at the back post to chest one down when he should have scored and had a long ranged effort just over, but then Sam produced a brilliant cross right onto the pate of an onrushing Harlee who with his head was never gonna miss, downward and under Martin 4-1 game won.
Hayes had a good downward header saved and did have a bit of the Bob Taylor look about him. Forrester came on for Sam and Harry played a fun little cameo, tricks and turns and then a great ball to Clayton, who came in from the right wing, with a nudge, then a dribble he shot, confidence is rising for Donaldson and Martin finished on his knees as it looked like Clayton's shot deflected in for the fifth. 5-1 stament made.
As deflating as Tuesday was, this was the lift, Rosler, the team and us needed. We have three strikers, Donaldson already has 3 goals, Farid 2, Hayes looked menacing, we have goals in us, Harlee looks a star, KOC fit and a big asset, Saunders better today with Harry chasing his shirt, Craig looked like what we want, solid and Shaleum happy settled and pacy down in Logans corner.
On Tuesday we had good players but little sign of a team but Uwe has earnt his corn, hard work over this week and the players produced for him and us today. It has set the standard for the next month, on to Walsall next week, to right a wrong from a couple of weeks ago. After a difficult fortnight, Uwe has ridden his first storm cloud of the season, the Bees are up and running and we can all enjoy our first weekend of this season. Saturdays' 3 points, five goals at home. Love it!
Originally Posted by Mick.C
Pre match the dark clouds gathered over Griffin Park, a sign from the footballing gods perhaps, it was a gloomy scene and we all knew a storm was coming.
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