How we got a point out of that game is beyond me. by homer_123 18 Sep 2018 23:09
What's more, we could have got all 3!

The first half was simply shocking, from the team selection to the formation to just allowing Brentford to pass and move at will. Credit to Brentford, they looked fantastic in the first half but we made is so so easy.

The response in the second half was the very least they players could do. However, it wasn't really the change in formation that made the difference. More that we got closer to Brentford, denied they time on the ball and the space to play in. We also were playing higher up the pitch and closer to each other. Finally, we played with a degree of urgency. We worked hard, very hard and with a little bit of football in there as well.

However, we didn't really carve them open, not until Jacksons winning opportunity. And herein lies my two concerns.

1. We still have not managed any kind of sustained performance, we still only play in patches, it's simply not good enough to have such disposing halves and performances within the same game, it makes our job too hard.

2. So pleased Jackson has a goal but, for all the positives in the second half, we still look goal shy. This looks to be our biggest issue, we still don't carry any kind of decent striking threat. This needs to be addressed.

What we saw in the second half today needs to be the bare minimum going forward, the baseline in terms of effort, workrate, tempo and commitment. There is something there to build on but the point today is only really worth something if we win Saturday. We must take that second half and play with that level of guile, passion etc. for the entire match against Bolton, simple as that.

The gulf between footballing styles today was significant. Brentford are easy on the eye, although a little too Arsenal at times when trying to pass the ball in the net. But as a football fan, there is a lot to aspire to in their approach. Their movement off the ball, the change in tempo (moreover their ability to control and change it), the comfort that everyone of their players has with the ball. The mix of intricate passing and longer more direct play also impressed.

That being said and football being football, we could have nicked 3 points tonight.