I’d like to issue a formal apology in regards to yesterday’s piece about Saturday’s Spurs – Brentford game.

Tottenham 3 Brentford 1. The Bees found the scoreline just as frustrating to read as it was to experience.

The big discussion point in the buildup was how Brentford would survive without Wissa, who had been sidelined for a few months by Manchester City, but the team sheets revealed another absentee. Christian Norgaard was declared unfit for this game, despite being scheduled to play for West Ham on Saturday. His presence couldn’t have been more important on an afternoon when the home team ran wild through the middle.

It had all started off so perfectly. That is, except from the pre-match monotony of the lone trumpeter playing Southampton’s club hymn from high up in the ‘Exam conditions’ home stand immediately before kick-off. The English ‘Supporters’ band’ is awful enough; the solo version is no better. If anyone needs a reminder, musical instruments at stadiums are the last refuge of the damned. No number of drums, trombones, or trumpets can fill a Cathedral of Silence.

After then, things may begin to move forward. Thankfully. The Bees led 1-0 with less than half a minute remaining, just as they had at City the previous weekend.

This time, it took exactly 24 seconds. Spurs only touched the ball twice before falling behind to Mbeumo’s incredible move and finish. KLP is working wonders down the left wing, jostling and squirming before playing the beautiful cross. Bryan found space easily in Tottenham’s renowned defense and provided a finish that enthralled the away crowd. Spurs fans below the Library End were able to maintain their unbroken silence as Bees celebrated in the sunshine.

Except this time, there would be no continuation of the pressure that had followed our 22-second effort at The Ethiad. Spurs deserve credit for their ability to pass and move like the greatest. The backline may have issues, but when given the ball, they looked dangerous. Brentford found this out after allowing three careless goals. All of this could have been avoided, but when the opportunity presented itself, it was eagerly accepted.

The first came only eight minutes later. Ethan Pinnock made a rare mistake as he passed out in front of James Maddison. Flekken saves the shot but is powerless to stop Dominic Solanke from burying the rebound. The game advanced as those in the Funeral Stand nodded their pleasure.

Brennan Johnson is next up. This time, Vitaly gave up possession, and Spurs broke away. Our one-time target finished neatly beyond Mark Flekken into the far side of the net, sticking a finger to his lips as he went past the Bees supporters. That, or he was simply encouraging those in the Vow of Silence stand behind us to continue their excellent work as a tumbleweed tribute act.

Regardless, the result was disappointing after such a promising start, and it could have been better. Spurs’ profligate finishing and first-class goalkeeping kept the game alive. The Bees have had their moments, but they are currently ranked second in terms of chances created.

However, 2-1 remains 2-1, and Brentford had a great chance to score the fourth goal. Vicario in goal for the home team, keeping them ahead. Bryan scored twice and Kevin Schade scored once with a goalbound header.

One cross into the box had him waving his hands and clutching in a gesture reminiscent of Donald Trump. First, inside the box, and then, when he spilled it, obviously outside the area. From our vantage point, it was an obvious handball. Even more so in later television replays. How the referee and officials all conspired to overlook it is even more mysterious.

We have VAR imposed on us week after week, but it is ineffective when the goalkeeper violates the rules in such a manner. A system designed to prevent blatant errors, yet it cannot be utilized for something as clearly wrong as this. Madness.

Brentford’s legitimate complaints were met with yellow cards for Thomas Frank and Kris Ajer. Would it have made a difference? Who knows. Simply put, it was another missed chance.

Brentford pressed on. I chased the game. Schade rushes towards the box, pleading with KLP on the left for his release. Instead, he kept the ball for too long, and it was taken away by a good challenge and Spurs boke. Again. This time, there were no errors. Son’s pass to Maddison was perfectly timed, and the former England team member made no mistake in putting the game beyond Brentford after 85 minutes.

That was it. There would be no comeback form there. The ultimate indignity was delivered in the 91st minute, when the whole stadium, even those in the Depeche Mode-sponsored ‘Enjoy The Silence’ VIP boxes, roused from their slumbers to finally join in song.

A silent venue. A frustrating outcome. Spurs are clinical in the final third. Brentford has a lot to be pleased of, but there are also lessons to be learned before West Ham’s arrival.

Until then, check out our game-by-game breakdown of Brentford’s ‘best five’ performers. Five points are granted to the star player, four for second place, three for third place, and so on, with the totals totaled up game by game to determine the overall champion.

2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 5 (vs Tottenham)

1st (Star player: 5 points): Keane Lewis-Potter.
Despite the game’s outcome, I thought KLP stood out the most.

Last season, he demonstrated the potential that led Brentford to sign one of the Championship’s most sought-after players, and he has only improved this season. When pressed into that left-sided wing back spot, he once again demonstrated both sides of his game.

The play to provide the opening goal was really superb. Despite the game’s absurdly early stage, there was no time for settling. He demonstrated equal parts patience and talent before finding time to harass the Spurs’ back line. It was a ball that deserved the ending it received.

He maintained his zeal and hard work throughout the game. As Brentford attempted to develop, he was there tackling back, blocking on the line, breaking forward, creating space, and giving the critical ball.

An all-around performance from a player who picks up his first five points of the season.

Second (4 pts) – Mikkel Damsgaard
It was a close race for second place. Mark Flekken came close, but the desire to choose Mikkel Damsgaard was too strong.

It’s his third appearance in our top two in as many games, but each one has been well-deserved. With Jensen and Norgaard out of the midfield, he has seized the opportunity. Despite Tottenham’s attempts to exploit the midfield, which were often successful, Mikkel led the tackle count. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in order to win the ball, and he appeared to be the most likely to convert from backfoot to forward drive.

With Mikkel’s more strong assistance, the Bees may have dominated that central third and turned what was a fantastic start into something more long-term. Instead, he took a solo turn but did his best to provide the killing pass or cross. Never gave up and, if nothing else, is now a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.

3rd (3 points): Mark Flekken
Mark is really proving himself to be an excellent shot-stopper. He kept Brentford in the game until the very end, despite Spurs’ constant threat to score.

Whether filling the space to force them wide or simply stopping pretty much anything fired at him, Mark was often exposed but did enough to keep the game alive till the final whistle. Save followed by save. If he had been able to do something world-class to deny one of the three that did get past him, Brentford’s fortunes may have been different, and our number one might have finished higher.

There can be no criticism leveled at anything that made it into the net. Football is a team game. With Spurs looking fantastic on the front foot, Mark deserves credit for keeping the team in contention for so long.

Fourth (2 points) – Bryan Mbeumo.
Oh, the aim. It was a spectacular strike, and one that we will undoubtedly see again.

With Wissa and Thiago absent, the weight was always going to fall on Bryan’s shoulders. While he cannot be every player everywhere at once, he did his best to try. Always seemed like the’most likely to’ player, and he may have felt he could have done better running through.

However, credit goes to Vicario. When he wasn’t cheating, he had impressive reflexes. On another day, Bryan might have seen at least one more of his shots go in, but for this cat-like goalkeeper.

On the plus side, he is creating opportunities. In our first game without an out and out target man, everyone had to step up. On Saturday, Bryan did his part. When West Ham comes to town, I’m confident he and his teammates will continue their forced formation change.

5th (1 point): Nathan Collins
Nathan was chosen for no other reason than to stick out in the mind’s eye when reflecting on the game.

He remained as robust as ever. Never lunge at the trickery going on around you. Standing steadfast in the face of adversities. We’re looking to break and get up in the box for the set pieces. I don’t recall any errors, but he was the finest of the back three on an afternoon when Brentford was under intense pressure.

Spurs had 23 attempts, 10 on target, and 10 shots blocked (compared to our 6,6, and 0), demonstrating how vulnerable our back line was. Mark and Nathan performed an excellent job of keeping the game alive.

2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Overall (after Matchweek 5)

All of this means Mikkel Damsgaard is now equal with Nathan Collins at the top of our rankings. Mark Flekken remains third, with Bryan Mbeumo fourth. Christian Norgaard, in fifth place, is joined by the remarkable Keane Lewis Potter.

With game six coming up, this small group is already beginning to pull away from the chasing herd. There is still plenty of time left, and the upcoming visit of West Ham might change everything.

T1st: Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard (13 pts)
3rd – Mark Flekken (9 pts).
4th: Bryan Mbeumo (8 pts)
T5th: Christian Norgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter (7 pts)

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