Brentford vs Everton

On the flip side I think anything but a home win against Luton will see Mr Dyche - toast.

Anything but the lifeless display against Arsenal will do

At the same time hoping never to see Kenwright or Moshiri anywhere near Goodison or the new stadium.

I live in hope

I actually think that Everton might get something. I expect them to defend in depth and look to score on the counter. Brentford have conceded soft goals this season which is unlike them and, while having the highest xG in the P.L. have been rather wasteful in front of goal.

The loss of Rico Henry for the season is a devastating blow for a small squad. It greatly diminishes their threat down the left hand side although Aaron Hickey is a very capable replacement.The first goal tomorrow is very important.

If Everton can get it, Brentford might struggle as they prefer to play with c 40% possession themselves rather than dominate it.

Everton's off-the-field position is a different matter. Who knows what the future holds, but to give some sort of perspective, it is only 15 years since BFC came out of League 2 following a near death experience at the hands of R. Noades Esq.

Perhaps a future PhD student could fruitfully write a thesis on how the two clubs are run.

Anyway, best of luck for rest of season...after tomorrow! I don't think your team is quite as poor as some suggest.

3,1,4,2 for me with DCL and Beto up top
Pickford
Patterson, Taks, Branthwaite
Onana
Danjuma, Garner, McNeil
DCL, Beto

Minimum 4 points next 2 games

No great insight really, but I think with DCL fit and Danjuma and Beto available we have some goals in us.

How do we approach it ? Sit back, try and soak up the pressure and hope to score on the counter ? Or go out confidently on the front foot. This is Dyche we're talking about. We know what he'll do.

You might be a woolly but you've got a load of Scouse humour. I'll try and get to Quaglino's for 7:00 pm with a couple of bottles of Prosecco and I'm not bad at foot massaging but I'm getting on so she'll have to be content with that.

See you soon I hope!!

Brentford have done fantastically well since returning to the top flight, but because I don't watch as much football nowadays, I had never really been impressed by your team. I have only watched in the flesh (the FA Cup game & then the one when Oliver, who is the same ref tomorrow, couldn't wait to send Branthwaite off, 10 seconds after he should have awarded us a penalty, to maybe go two up?) but that all changed at Goodison, earlier this year.

We got the victory, but I left the ground very impressed with Brentford, and thought your second-half performance definitely deserved at least a point. If you would have scored one, then I had a feeling that you would have gone on to win the game.

The Bees have really begun to consolidate themselves now in the big league, meaning that an Everton victory would actually be deemed a shock by most neutrals tomorrow. Good luck for the season, John, starting from 8 O'Clock tomorrow night. 👍

He played with Ron Greenwood and Jimmy Hill in the '50s, so me and my brothers have obviously always had a soft spot for Brentford.

The old fella actually made a couple of first-team appearances – as (after a few drinks) he was fond of telling anyone who'd listen.

Anyway, I digress. I can honestly say I'm glad Henry is out because I really rate that lad.

That said, I still think yous will have too much for us tomorrow because, quite honestly at the moment, we are so easy to play against.

It looks like it's going to be the same midfield that will not contribute anything therefore for me that equals defeat.

If I see Beto ploughing a lone furrow tomorrow without any service, I'll consider ending it all.

I've Just screen-shot it and sent it to my own younger wife also called Joanne! Haha!

"He's on grass but not training with the team"

"All the noise"

"We are working hard to change things"

"The problems have been here long before I came here"

That's pretty much what I keep hearing from the manager but it's up to him to start putting things right.

I need to start seeing this team that Dyche is supposed to make his stock and trade which is working their bollocks off during the games, because I just haven't seen it at all, probably since we beat Arsenal in Dyche's first game in February.

I don't need to be some analyst to see that Everton don't work hard off the ball, we don't.

Our set pieces are so boringly predictable, mix it up a bit, bring something else to the table, that's down to the manager and his coaching staff surely?

Dyche has won 5 games in 22 league matches, that's worse than Lampard.

Again, we don't need experts to tell us that football is results based, if that record should continue then this manager will lose his job sooner rather than later.

Fully understand he's had no cash but surely we should have shown more than that feeble capitulation, waiting to lose, as Gary Neville said.

That's a fair point.

I really don't want to see another managerial change at this club, I think it's mental the amount we've gone through but I just don't see how Dyche can continue if this run carries on.

I wanted Dyche to succeed, much like I wanted Lampard to succeed before him.

I had hopes that he would make us hard to beat, like when Moyes came through the door back in 2002, but it's not been the case sadly.

Tomorrow is a huge game and in my eyes, so too is the Villa game in midweek. We are not in a position where we can just pass up opportunities now, we need to earn some respect and trust back and reconnect a bond with the players and fans.

Well bloody said. His record is fooking shite!

So according to some none were any good, I don't think that adds up. That's been part of our problem, the players have not had the same manager for enough time to settle into any sort of system.

As I've lived down this way for a long time, I've been to Brentford a lot over the years and it's a great club. We desperately need some points though and I hope to be coming home a happy Evertonian.

Dyche is running out of time to get more out of his team, might have players coming back in the nick of time. I'd be over the moon with a 2-1 victory to the Blues tomorrow, I would also be happy with a well earned point and an improved performance.

Rob # 27… seeing as you've just posted, and therefore still on the site, do you know the way to The Bell and Crown pub down by the river? I'm going by coach tomorrow, and hoping to meet Danny and a couple more mates down at that pub, should we get there with plenty of time to spare, that is.

It's football...anything can happen.

Keep the faith!

We don't need an impending points deduction as it has already been done in bucket loads over the last few seasons, many thanks to confessed Everton hater Oliver.

You are a very fair fan. I've seen you post many times before. I'm a teacher in Brentford and have great craic with the boys I teach. If I could go to the match tomorrow, I would. Unfortunately, no joy.

Hoping for a great match and an Everton win! UTFT!

I'd like him to choose a 4-4-2 with McNeil, Garner, Danjuma and Harrison in the midfield. If Harrison isn't fit, then put Gueye in with Garner and McNeil and Danjuma wide, with Beto and Calvert-Lewin up front. Patterson, Branthwaite, Tarkowski and Mykolenko at the back.

All athletic, bar one and maybe he won't have to do as much running if playing with the other three midfielders.

John (2) a nice post and welcome. Just for tomorrow, I'd like to see us both win, but we're more desperate than your team. After that, then I wish you the best of luck and a good season.

The only issue is that we have friends over tomorrow, and my wife's already got the slight hump with me going to the match, so I'll do well to get a couple of pints in! She's understanding though, she knows how we suffer.

But on this occasion, I have a hunch we will get something, in fact I'm thinking a win in a tight game. I have absolutely no basis for this at all. Maybe I'm just getting frustrated being a pessimist, but surely every dog has its day...

Weird thing is I actually think we are going to win tomorrow 1-2. I'm generally a realist but tomorrow just get that strange vibe we'll do it.

I helped a dear Irish friend who was a 30-year Bees loyalist cheer you on through League One and the Championship, consoling him through the agonies of the many times you came so close to promotion. It was an emotional day for both of us when you finally came up top.

Which is why he never teases me about the fact that his club is now better than mine.

But we have to steal a win in this game. I'll be at Goodison next weekend and I don't want to feel like I'm walking into a funeral.

We just seemed to go through the motions before a goal was even scored, with the attitude (maybe wrong) that we aren't going to beat these again, so try damage limitation. I still believe, rightly or wrongly, that Garner should have played in the last game, and again in this, but if Lyndon's team prediction is right, and he usually is, why is he not included?

Team I would pick

Pickford
Young Tarks Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Gana
Dobbins Danjuma McNeil
Beto.

My predictions are based on what I think the manager will do. As I said on the latest TW podcast this week, if it were up to me, James Garner would be in central midfield and only one of Onana and Gueye plays in the No 6 role, even if neither is especially suited to it.

I'd also start Patterson over Young because the latter offers nothing going forward.

Sorry mate, I don't think I made myself very clear. As I am going by coach and will be dropped off at the stadium, I need directions on how to get to the Bell and Crown down by the river.

I know it's only about a 10-minute walk, but no idea which way. I guess the stewards around the ground will know, unless there is anybody else on here who knows?

You have a great manager/coach who I respect (and wanted!!). I've mentioned before, I used to coach the Hayes & Yeading youth teams and Brentford's youth teams, at the time, used to train on adjacent pitches in Uxbridge, so I used to observe them a lot.

I have a lot of respect for Brentford and their journey is often overlooked. They've come a long way. Nice stadium, although a bit of an odd shape and I still don't know how it got fitted into that space. And very close to your previous ground.

Well, it's matchday. I hope those players have reflected on last week and the season so far. I hope they are as up for it as we are and will be. Don't suck the life out of us as you did last week. You have something to prove, so stand up and be counted.

Football is unpredictable. Who says we can't get anything today? We can. The first win is coming, let's hope it's today and we surprise many. I revert back to Brighton last season. Very few gave us a chance.

Rob, Neil and all, let's hope the M6, M25 and M4 is favourable to you on your trip down.

Into the Bees' Nest we go…

A bad result today and a couple more in the coming weeks, you may well get your chance to pick the team. Doubt any current manager will want the job!

Need to stop giving the ball away so often, and have some rather than no creativity. Hopefully they have done some work on set-piece delivery.

Worried about Everton Nil as usual. Hope I am wrong, remember Brighton away last season. COYB.

Our bunch have had all week to practise passing to each other, with some shooting too. So don't go to Brentford and keep it tight hoping to win 1-0 and then lose 1-0. Be a bit braver.

We badly need something to get behind; travelling Blues I salute you. UTFT.

He's staying.

Ps To the regiment!!

Marching!!

It was telling that for a team who can't score, he dropped one of the players (Patterson) who had an assist the week before.

Two proper centre forwards available. Our best wide player from last season fit again. The manager needs to make a few moves for this game. We need to be better in possession and going forward.

As Mark says, head towards the river– might be signs for Kew Bridge or Kew Gardens. Head left before you cross the river and follow it downstream.

I'm not going to try and guess the team, but someone posted the other week that we have 3 midfielders doing the job of one and I agree with that summary. We're so bad at passing the ball it defies belief that these are supposed to be professional elite footballers and they can't even get the basics right – saw some good passing and moving in the kids games when walking the dog this morning, it really isn't that bloody hard!

Hope something clicks today, boy could we do with 3 points. I'll be fairly close to our fans behind the goal, I'll have to sing and chant with you under my breath.

Though who picks the replacement is anybody's guess. 777 might go with Ted Lasso, aka that ex Leeds 'arm in the air, watch tapping dickhead' Marsch.

We need Dyche and the team to start winning and soon.

He can't hide his dislike for the mess that is our club. I think he sees it as a total car crash and his autobiography will read "It was a total train wreck and beyond my help."

I totally agree with you, Kev, I'm glad someone else sees that too. This is why I want him gone coupled with the fact he's a fucking Stegasaurus of a manager. One-trick pony. I actually think Benitez wanted it to work more than he does.

We might be better equipped to go 5-3-2 at the moment with McNeil and Patterson on the flanks. That would match us up with Brentford's likely formation.

I'm not usually a fan but Dyche organised us well in that formation at the end of last season when we were struggling to put out a First XI.

Pickford
Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
Patterson, Gueye, Garner, Doucoure, McNeil
Beto, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Onana (for Gueye), Danjuma (for Calvert-Lewin)

Probably not.

Up the Blues!!!

COYB.

Prediction; Brentford 1 Everton 3

COYBLUES!

"Expect fuck-all and you're never disappointed!"

We need a competitive shift from the midfielders to get something from a tough Brentford team so let's hope Dyche has them ready this week.

I do hope he springs a surprise and changes our awful midfield. If we roll over and have our tummy tickled, then we can guarantee relegation.

This lot need to play with conviction. Last week, I only saw Pickford, Branthwaite and Beto busting a gut.

We also need to be a lot better with the ball and, if we don't start to show signs of same starting today and continuing over the next few games, then I really fear for us.

Pickford
Patterson
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Mykolenko
McNeil
Garner
Onana
Danjuma
Calvert-Lewin
Beto

A difficult assignment but not an impossible one. I will be very disappointed if the players don't show a reaction and get something from the game.

Wittgenstein, on the other hand though the correct approach was to grab a poker and twat your opponent with it.

I'm with Ludwig.

Right now the words of Socrates seem appropriate for those who follow this team:

'The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.'

This is the other Dale btw

I like this one from Jean-Paul Satre, applies to us ;

'' In football everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team''

As far as Dyche is concerned I like him, the talk of the sack is not very sensible.

We now have doubts now who has authority to run the club, I suppose its still Moshiri, hell fire he's has a good record for picking managers.Then you have the pay off if he goes.

He appoints another lamb to the slaughter whos supposed to do better than the previous multitude.

Lose a few games and he's a goner too, wecome to the madhouse!

Altogether now;

"You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need
Ah, yeah!"

However, I agree that, having been awoken from dogmatic slumber by Scotland's number one, he'd have approved of a robust and possibly even Prussian-style organised defence.

“what I know most surely in the long run about morality and obligations, I owe to football.”

If we changed up we might have been more resilient. The other side is that we were better off struggling through a match unlikely to yield any points to get the possession in sync. We obviously have some new pieces to work into functionality and some rough spots are inevitable.

Not sure Young or Myko are up to it but i'd play Myko as Young for me offers nothing except maturity.

I'm going 1-1 if he doesn't start 2 strikers, 1-2 if he gives Dom at least 30 minutes.

COYBs

Rob Halligan, hope you've had a good journey, should be at the pub in half hour.

Nearly 20% of the people in a ‘Last Man Standing' group of 400 people have picked Brentford to win today, here's hoping they all get knocked out!

Don't care how just get something from this game. No time for pretty football and don't care how boring/ugly it is. Points are the first and only priority at this time.

Need some bite in this team and a 100% shift from every outfield player.

The away "end" was an open terrace which seemed to attract torrential rain. I once counted the away crowd (it was another shit match and the rain never stopped), there were 39 Huddersfield supporters who huddled together to give the impression of being crushed in (a bit like the old Gwladys Street, except not at all, really). Their war cry was "Come on you Udders" which didn't quite rank there with Henry V or Col. Tim Collins, and I don't remember the Udders being particularly inspired to action either. They mostly stood around looking soggy.

The Brentford crowd were also interesting and had a good line in abuse (for their own players only, they let the opposition supporters - all 39 of them - insult their own team). 'Chopper' Harris, some distance past his best, got "Come on Harris, break sweat", and another one screamed abuse and execration on one player for no obvious reason whatsoever, for the whole of the first half, but didn't return after the break, we speculated that he had expired or simply run out of hatred.

Nice club. But I hope (but don't expect) Everton thrash them today.

Ultra conservative from Dyche against well drilled but not especially talented opposition.

Looks like Beto is going to be very isolated indeed.