Brentford v Carlisle United Match Preview

[Les Beeavinu]

Brentford welcome Carlisle United to Griffin Park on Saturday, buoyed by events off the pitch but still desperate for an upturn in fortunes on it.

The announcement of long-time Bees' fan Matthew Benham’s refinancing means that the Bees don't have the spectre of Ron Noades looming over them and many fans will rejoice that Noades and his company no longer have a stake in the club. The deal, which saw Benham take over Noades and Barclays Bank’s loans of some £3m on far more favourable terms sees the club £150k pa better off and also not having to find £250k immediately for settlement of part of the Noades loan. However, supporters’ trust and major shareholder Bees United is keen to stress that the size of the club’s debts haven’t been reduced and that the deal does not mean that additional money is available for players. The trust is beginning a campaign encouraging every fan to become a member and consider taking out a standing order to help the club.

On the playing side, the signing of experienced striker Neil Shipperley, partly funded by the Fighting Chance appeal, has also boosted the Bees. Brentford beat off a number of other interested clubs for Shipperley's signature and it is believed that he chose the Bees more for the challenge and because he is a local boy rather than any financial reasons. He joins until the end of the season and Bees fans will be hoping that he provides the much longed for experience in front of goal.

Brentford approach the game with some major selection problems in defence. David Partridge, signed on loan for a month, sent off for an alleged head butt against Yeovil last Saturday, will miss the next three games, and fellow loanee Che Wilson will also miss the game after also been sent off for a professional foul. Fans and commentators all believe that both red cards were harsh but with video evidence from the game inconclusive or in the case of Partridge non-existent there were no grounds for appeal so the suspensions remain in place. Partridge may now have played his last game for the club as his suspension takes him past the end of his loan period, which is a cruel waste of the fans’ Fighting Chance money. Partridge and Wilson join Kevin O’Connor (hamstring), Karleigh Osbourne (ankle) and Matt Heywood (groin) as absentees so the defence is almost last man standing. Further up the park the Bees have more options and it is expected that Shipperley will immediately take the centre forward slot alongside Jo Kuffour with Charlie Ide either reverting to the wing or the bench.

Our visitors Carlisle have had a solid season back in Division 1 and sit comfortably placed in 10th place. However, this is more because of their home form which has seen them lose only three times, including a 2-0 victory over us just before Christmas. Their away form is less impressive however, with only two wins and ten goals in the campaign so far.

Cumbrians manager Neil McDonald, who took over from the highly successful Paul Simpson in the summer, has been strengthening his side this week by buying Port Vale winger Jeff Smith for £60,000. He becomes the fifth signing for the Cumbrians in the transfer window following the loan signings of strikers Danny Graham (Middlesbrough, currently injured) and Joe Garner (Blackburn Rovers ) as well as the permanent signings of midfielder Paul Thirwell (ex-Derby) and defender Liam Atkin (ex-Newcastle). Striker Karl Hawley, scorer of 10 goals this season and 26 last, has long been rumoured to be a target for clubs higher up the league but as yet has not moved on.

Once again then, those Bees fans who still have hope will be desperate for a recovery starting on Saturday and will be looking for the feel-good factor off the pitch to be matched on the park. With 51 points to play for anything is possible but 7 points from safety means that the Bees must string a series of wins together now if there is to be any hope of avoiding relegation. If you can’t get to Griffin Park on Saturday, follow the action on Beesworld and the GPG and visit the GPG afterwards for fans' analysis of the game.