Brentford v Ipswich Town preview and matchday preview

[Jamma123]

Brentford v Ipswich Town


Saturday 13th August 2016 – 15:00


Griffin Park






Opening Thought – Jamma

Well that didn’t exactly go according to plan, did it? Following the storming second half against Barnsley, we were all set for a continuation of the momentum in the cup, with some of the fringe players keen to grab their chance to impress and ensure safe progress through to the second round. Mick McCarthy had seemingly reassessed his attitude to cup competitions – up until now indifferent at best – by making just the seven changes to Saturday’s line-up, including the two Grants who had of course each had 45 minutes. But, by the time the night was out, he was saying ‘I wish I had played the kids’. As always against lower league sides in the cup, you have to take into consideration the part the opposition have to play, and Mick was gracious enough to admit that Stevenage had deserved to win. But, as one listener on BBC Suffolk pointed out, it would be nice if Ipswich could, just occasionally, ‘slap’ one of these teams, to borrow one of McCarthy’s expressions. In three clashes against the Hertfordshire outfit over the last four seasons, we have lost twice and salvaged a come-from-behind one-goal win. Our record in the cups during Mick’s time at Portman Road now reads a thoroughly underwhelming 2 wins out of 13.

This weekend, we return to the scene of the crime of last season’s opening day drama. As the match entered 4 minutes of stoppage time, the Blues looked on course for a satisfying victory, thanks to Kevin Bru’s acrobatic effort and a debut goal from Ryan Fraser. But two defensive lapses, in the 92nd and 94th minutes, saw us inexplicably gift Brentford a way back into the game. While those crazy two minutes in many ways encapsulated Ipswich Town’s 2015/16 – the late capitulations at Forest and Bolton other illustrations of our status as a team that was so near yet so far – the scoreline at Griffin Park was also an accurate reflection of how hard it has been to separate the teams over the last two years, in terms of both results and league placings. Since Brentford returned to the second tier, there have been two draws and an away win for each side. Goals have also been a feature of encounters between the two teams, with an average of four per match. The Bees leapfrogged us on the final day of 2014/15, with just one goal separating us in the table, and finished two places and four points below Town in May. Our last meeting in April saw Brentford leave Portman Road with all 3 points, in a match which is more memorable for Alan Judge’s unfortunate injury and Luke Hyam’s subsequent red card. Saturday’s opponents were in the middle of a sparkling run of just one defeat in nine, which propelled them to the fringes of the top six. Like Barnsley, they will have been hoping to carry their form into the new campaign. They have got off to a stuttering start so far, following up a 2-1 reverse at Huddersfield with their own cup exit to lower league opposition, as Exeter prevailed after extra time. But the Bees will be looking at their first outing in front of their home supporters as a good opportunity to get up to speed. If previous clashes are anything to go by, it promises to be an entertaining 90 (or more) minutes…



The Opposition - Brentford





Founded on 10 October 1889, at the Oxford and Cambridge Hotel in Brentford, where a meeting was held, between the members of the Brentford Rowing Club, to decide between association football and rugby union, to serve as a winter pursuit for the rowing club and its members. As a result of a vote, by 8 votes to 5, taken 6 days later, association football was successful as the sport to partake in.

The football club started out playing its home matches at the Clifden House Ground in Brentford, from November 1889 to March 1892.

In October 1892, Benn's Field in Little Ealing was the club's new home. The football club decided to move nearer to Brentford and in December 1894 they moved to Shotter's and stayed there until April 1898. Due to high rent increases, the club were once again forced to move on, so in September 1898 the club moved to the Cross Roads Ground, in Little Ealing, and this was used until April 1900.

As the club grew, Boston Park Cricket Ground, in York Road, Brentford, was then used from September 1900 to April 1904. Finally, in January 1904, the club agreed a 21-year lease on an orchard. The clearance of the orchard, over 200 trees, and the levelling of the land took several months. Griffin Park, as it became known, was now ready for use as a football ground after banking was raised along three sides of the ground and an enclosure, moved from their previous ground, was erected.

In 1920, Brentford became a founder member of the Third Division South. During the late 1920s and 1930s, the club began to make real progress. In the 1929–30 season, the side won all 21 of its home matches in the Third Division South, but still missed out on promotion. They are the last of six teams in English football to amass a perfect home record, and the only one to do so over a season of 42 matches or more. After several more near misses, promotion to the Second Division was finally achieved in 1932–33.

Two years later, Brentford reached the First Division and finished 5th in their debut season, which is still the club's highest ever league finish.

The club was relegated in the first season after the War, and a downward spiral set in, culminating in relegation to the Third Division in 1953–54 and the Fourth Division in 1961–62. In the process, Brentford became the first team to play the other ninety-one clubs in league football.

The survival of Brentford FC was threatened by a projected takeover by Queens Park Rangers in the late 1960s, a bid that was only narrowly averted with an emergency loan of £104,000.

The club continued to yo-yo between the third and fourth divisions during the next three decades. The club won promotion in 1962–63, 1971–72 and 1977–78 but only on the final occasion was it able to consolidate its place in English football's third tier.

After a 45-year absence, Brentford were promoted back to the Second Division (renamed the First Division with the advent of the Premier League in 1992) in the 1991–92 season, as Third Division champions, though they were relegated again the following year.

There followed several seasons of the club narrowly missing out on promotion via the play-offs.

The club were then relegated to the Third Division (by then the bottom division of the Football League) the following year. Brentford won promotion as champions again in 1998–99.

Former BBC Director-General and Bees fan Greg Dyke was announced as chairman of Brentford on 20 January 2006 as part of the takeover by Bees United, the Brentford Supporters Trust.

Brentford were relegated to Football League Two in April 2007.

On 25 April 2009, Brentford sealed the League Two championship under the management of former player Andy Scott. Scott's excellent first calendar year in charge was recognised with an award, the BBC London 'Manager of the Year 2008'. Scott was also awarded the League Two Manager of the Month award for April/May 2009.

At the end of the 2011/12 season, in which the Club finished 9th in League One, missing out on the play-offs by 6 points, the club's supporters voted to sell the entire club's shareholding to supporter-investor Matthew Benham.

The 2012/13 season saw Brentford go on an FA Cup run, taking holders Chelsea to a fourth round replay, and mount a promotion challenge, missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season before losing the play-off final to Yeovil Town.

On 25 June 2013, Cliff Crown was elected Chairman of Brentford Football Club.

On 18 April 2014, Brentford were promoted to the Championship after they beat Preston 1–0 at Griffin Park in front of 10,774 people, sparking a pitch invasion. This meant The Bees' return to the second tier after a 21-year absence.

The following season, they impressed and finished one place ahead of Town in the final table, in 5th, before being knocked out in the play-off semi- finals by Middlesbrough.

They didn’t achieve the same heights in 2015/16, finishing in 9th place in the table.



The Gaffer – Dean Smith








Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev

The highlights (and lowlights) from our trip to Griffin Park last August:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2biLGd4TxJg



Media Watch - K L Blue

Mick on Smith:
http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/30000

Conor Grant:
http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/30003/

Mick on the EFL Cup exit:
http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/2016 ... 37266.aspx



Form Guide



Brentford Last 5 Matches – 17th place - 0 points

1.FC Kaiserslautern D 1-1 Home
Peterborough United L 0-1 Home
Millwall D 1-1 Away
Huddersfield L 1-2 Away
Exeter City L 0-1 Away



Ipswich Last 5 Matches – 3rd place - 3 points

Cambridge United D 1-1 Away
Charlton D 0-0 Away
Royal Union Saint-Gilloise L 1-2 Home
Barnsley W 4-2 Home
Stevenage L 0-1 Home



Fixtures of Interest



Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest (Friday night)

Leeds United v Birmingham City

Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday

Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers



Marko's Caption Contest

First things first: congratulations to Ando, the Caption Contest champion for 2015/16, and the new holder of the prestigious TBs.com caption trophy:



That was an EXCELLENT first week of captions. If we could get at least 15 entries like this every week, it'd be great. No cash prizes in this, just your name on the trophy. Getting your name on a trophy, for having a laugh basically?? Win win situation.
Come on, let's see more people have a go at being funny!

The first league table is as follows. Don't pay any attention to the order of the table..... The 1 point scorers are merely on there in the order you posted.

LEAGUE TABLE

Patthegimp 5
DerickIpsw 4
Quasar 3
Bluemike 2
Itfc76Trev 1
Gold&Black 1
Nicscreamer 1
Frosty 1
Shed on Tour 1
Number 9 1
IpswichtownNo1 1
Watership Down 1
Blueblood 1
Ando 1
Herforder 1

Have a pop at this:
(provided as a link due to the size of the image)

http://i1.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/ ... 472681.jpg



Match Referee – Stephen Martin





Final Thought – Bluemike

Any confidence gleaned after the opening day victory over Barnsley quickly evaporated following Tuesday night’s tame exit at the hands of League Two Stevenage in the League Cup. As Derick said, quite why any of us were surprised is beyond me. In recent years we just don't do cup games too well at all so from that perspective it wasn't really a shock. Mick went against the grain and played a fairly strong side but I still could not help but think while watching it that they were sent out with a certain amount of caution. What we have to do is give credit to a very hard-working Stevenage side that fully deserved their night of glory.

It really is now time to settle down into the season proper and by that I mean getting a settled starting Eleven out on the pitch on a regular basis. The time for chopping and changing is done, Mick should now play his best team, no starting with some of the stars on the bench, while those who have struggled already this campaign need dropping to the bench. We have options so let’s use them.

By a strange quirk of fate, our first away day this season is a repeat of last season's trip to Griffin Park to meet the Bees of Brentford. As far as I am concerned, this is without doubt one of my favourite away days. Hundreds of Tractor Boys in the Griffin pre-game enjoying a beer or two and a burger from the BBQ followed by the great atmosphere on the packed standing terrace behind the goal. What could be better? Last season's trip was going so well into the 90+ minute, only to see us give it away in injury time. Hopefully we can atone for that and go one better this time. Brentford have not started well and this could be a good time to meet them. A second league win would be a super start, especially with two very tough games on the horizon. Even a point would not be so bad and that is what I feel we will be bringing home.



BRENTFORD 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1

[arana peligrosa]

The players owe it to the fans after the obligatory surrender and bullshit in cup competition, but then again a poor score in the league invariably follows a cup elimination. We may pick up another win to follow on from last weekend but don't feel it will occur in this game. Will always remember the four goal win a year or two back over the end of year period, but such an achievement will not be duplicated for this event.

Brentford 3 Ipswich 1

[nicscreamer]

1-1 for me.
Caption - Brentford show off their plate spinning skills during the match

[marko69]

For me, the biggest question is........., did the 13 members of the Rowing Club continue to speak to each other after that 8 to 5 vote?

ROWER 1: FFS, Row faster!
ROWER 2: FK U, I wanted rugby!

Still see this as a jittery season (2nd) opener, and one of the largest banana skins in the league. Hoping there is plenty of action for the travelling support.
Saint Jude predicted 4-1 ITFC v Barnsley........, not a kick in the arse from the correct result......, he opts for 3-1 Brentford this week. Be monumentally wrong, Saint.
I'll say 2-1 away win for the Tractor Boys.

Ref caption:
Linesman: That's an Ipswich throw in, ref.
Referee: BRENTFORD! I TOLD YOU, ALL THROW INS WILL BE BRENTFORDS.

[herforder]

Excellent, interesting and informative preview. It's going be another tough one tomorrow in the Brentford sunshine - so what's new! After Tuesday night's poor showing, an almost instant opportunity to go again and recapture the momentum of last Saturday's second half. If Chambo's post match comments are to count for anything, then the team owes MM and all of us. Whatever the final score, we need a proper performance tomorrow, or confidence will surely drain away.

With the recent news of McG's latest (ankle) injury - 6 weeks out - and Pitman also out, looks as if FS WILL start alongside Murph - with recent rejoin Varney possibly on he bench. Can't help feeling sorry for Didsy, but was ever an individual so injury prone? No doubt that his absence will be a major negative - unless MM can dive into the transfer market. But his priorities may have changed!

Anyway, let's hope for both a good performance and positive result. Although unlikely for some, I think we'll win tomorrow: 1-0.

Caption comp:

Stop press: Sooty and Sweep appear naked at football match!

Ref caption: "Don't accuse me of not knowing the bloody rules of the game. As soon as those two idiots who keep waving flags on the touchline are removed, we'll crack on"!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

not worried at all about this game:

Brentford 0 - Ipswich 3

[phily bon bon]

Great preview thanks for all the time and effort lads. It could go either way here so I say a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.

[marko69]

not worried at all about this game:

Brentford 0 - Ipswich 3

Think I'll need to make an effort and get my arse to the pub to hear your explanations Rossi! Weren't they just pumped by arguably the best team they could possible field against League Two opposition......, @ PR no less?

[Quasar]

caption : high pitched voice.. "ooooo the only way is up "

[derick_ipsw]

Andre Gray realises his new 6 finger mittens from Norfolk are not going to be much use!!

[Watership Down]

Should be a good game I think 2 -2 draw Caption The goal only looks that wide to me no wonder I can't score

[Andym]

I can't see anything but a 3 - 0 defeat. Don't trust our defence and not sure who wouold create a chance for us to score. I know I'm always pessimistic (understatement of the year) but I can't see anything to make me feel otherwise.

[marko69]

I think yourself, Rossi and myself need to go for a pint to discuss the ITFC job, Andy. There is a decent manager in there amongst us!

[Bluemike]

Cant wait for tomorrow, the first real away day of the season and one of the best for sure. It always provides a fab atmosphere and entertaining games too. With the news that sicknote is now err sick I suspect Freddie Sears will get a reprieve from almost certainly being dropped, and boy do we need Freddie to find his form, things happen in mysterious ways and it could well be he that he bags the winner, who knows.

Reading the thoughts of the Brentford fans, they don't fancy their chances at all, their start to the season sounds as though it has been pretty poor so at the very least we need to bring home a point, hopefully we get a reaction to the Stevenage debacle and a performance too. I think it is good for us that Alan McCormack is missing for the Bees as he ran the show last season at PR. The down side for me is the apparent talk in the Brentford ranks of a grudge match following the injury to Alan Judge last season, hopefully it is just media talk as we don't want it turning into a riot. I think we can get a point and that is my prediction. 1-1 draw.


Caption....."OMG McGoldrick only made One and half appearances this season before being crocked !!!"

[hallamblue]

Well if the ref doesn't nip any retribution levied by Bees players he needs shooting.

[Frosty]

Thanks for taking care of the preview chaps. Hopefully things will be better from next week.

Caption:


"Using this clever wee technique I always know my 'left' from my 'right'."

[goldandblack]

[Bluemike]

Leaving in half hour, COYB'S lets do this. Griffin pub before the game, hopefully see some of you there.

[Ando]

The game has draw written all over it so I fancy another 2-2.

Wow my name on a trophy... First individual trophy I have won since the keepy up competition at butlins in 1979

Caption: " hey gaffer, i know you told me to stop picking my nose, but have you got any tissue"?

[marko69]

It's Spoppyrefsaudivadibes birthday today. PLEASE log on and explain the name! I just see "refs Audi"

Refs are already absolute fking arseholes......., let's not give them Audis as well ffs!

[lucy]

Brentford programme get it right, I didn't realise we had a new player called Daryl Ward

[lucy]

We should be 2-0 up, 2 great chances missed.

[lucy]

1-0 Brentford

[lucy]

2-0 Brentford ffs

[arana peligrosa]

Got an update on score a few moments ago and we're two goals behind. There was no score before that around half-time so the opposition have obviously upped their game but unable to find more relevant information. Apparently it was something of an even contest before they went ahead and we had created some decent opportunity but as with often after an early cup embarrassment - sorry, elimination - a poor score in the league follows after.

Records say Brentford haven't had a home win over us since the 1950's, and while keeping mind the two teams may have been kept apart for some considerable time over the duration by way of league status, it seems that long standing statistic may be over in a short time. Going to tune the last few minutes out and see if we can salvage something from this, but sorry to say, more in hope than expectation.

[arana peligrosa]

No need to stick around any further the game is over. First and foremost, obvious disappointment we were unable to continue with the opening game success but it's only two games into a new season, and records indicate we created a number of opportunity and possession was about equal by end of game, just couldn't find a way through.

Prepared to wait and see people's write-up of the game from those who were in attendance today to ascertain enough information as to what really occurred but as before, while disappointed, it's still very early in the campaign and still 'hopeful' we can find enough points by end of season to entertain thoughts once more of another play-off shot.

No real cause for concern, Newcastle who were many people's favorites for a promotion have just been witness to two consecutive league losses, so in a league where all things are possible, we take it to the next game and carry on as before.

[ashfordblue]

Is This the start of another shortfall Season, unless Mick decides to do some massive changes, keep this form up at home and we will see regular gates of 6000. come on Marcus splash some real cash

[ashfordblue]

No need to stick around any further the game is over. First and foremost, obvious disappointment we were unable to continue with the opening game success but it's only two games into a new season, and records indicate we created a number of opportunity and possession was about equal by end of game, just couldn't find a way through.

Prepared to wait and see people's write-up of the game from those who were in attendance today to ascertain enough information as to what really occurred but as before, while disappointed, it's still very early in the campaign and still 'hopeful' we can find enough points by end of season to entertain thoughts once more of another play-off shot.

No real cause for concern, Newcastle who were many people's favorites for a promotion have just been witness to two consecutive league losses, so in a league where all things are possible, we take it to the next game and carry on as before.

Hah SJ but Newcastle have the resources to turn things around, where as we don't, tight arse ME wont invest good money,

[marko69]

Was optimistic with the 2-1 but was thoroughly expecting the draw. Certainly wasn't expecting the defeat. Will wait to hear the fans reports......., if indeed they can be arsed to write anything at all.

But......, fkn hell, ITFC! Get your sh*t together before the Old Farm derby, FFS. Yes, other games are just as important, but really don't want to see another convincing humping to those canary bstds!

[herforder]

Was optimistic with the 2-1 but was thoroughly expecting the draw. Certainly wasn't expecting the defeat. Will wait to hear the fans reports......., if indeed they can be arsed to write anything at all.

But......, fkn hell, ITFC! Get your sh*t together before the Old Farm derby, FFS. Yes, other games are just as important, but really don't want to see another convincing humping to those canary bstds!

Based on this afternoon's second half performance, suggest everyone gets behind their sofas now! Next Sunday could be very scary!