Arcticterntalk.org

The blog of a travelling psychiatrist and football lover. Who happens to be a halfway decent photographer. Takes a cynical view of the world

Archive for the tag “serge canos”

04 Nov 2018
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Why Brentford Are A Real Team.Some Post-Match Millwall Thoughts


Usually when I post musings and photographs after a  game I go through and find my best 20 action photos and write a few words around these. Here I want to do something a little different.

Things have not been good recently at Brentford. Not many good results, some social media distractions amongst fans and generally the mood of optimism that was with us a month ago had partially evaporated. There was ill-advised talk that Thomas Frank had only a few games to save his job ( ridiculous I know) and many ideas regarding team selection (myself included). This was an important game in the context of where the season might go from here.

Griffin Park at sunset in November

Griffin Park at sunset in November

We all know Brentford won 2-0 and although there were a few scares along the way, Brentford were the better footballing side and generally had the higher work rate. Something very different struck me strongly yesterday, perhaps I miss this sometimes, but Brentford are a real team. They worked hard for each other and have a true bond with the fans. The bond is important. We learned this week how strong that bond can be and the results of a good bond with the sad news emanating from Leicester city.  No doubt I will post more comments and photos during the week, but these are the ones that captivated me . They are not my best action shots, these will follow, but these show the real emotion and bond between players, fans and the manager.

  1. Neal Maupay. This guy really cares and works hard. On this occasion he had made a great run but his final shot was inches away. This was one of the many opportunities Brentford had to make the score 2-0. 0000482600004824
  2. Said Benrahma. Looking through the photos the players photographed the most are Said and Moses. It was lovely to witness the celebration after the game as Said walked back alongside Braemar Road. He embraced a few fans and the looks on their faces says it all. 00004860
  3. Daniel Bentley. He has had a tough month and no-one would argue that he has lost form. This result and the clean sheet meant a lot. 00004866
  4. Thomas Frank. This was an important game for not only the team but also himself, and the justification of his team changes, and perhaps some of the changes he did not make. His bond with  Neal Maupay is clear and so wonderful to see. 000048560000485400004853
  5. Moses Odubajo. His first game as first choice left back. A long spell of injury the last few years at Hull City. The way he worked tirelessly all game and created havoc in the Millwall defence was immense and enjoyable to see.  0000480300004777
  6. Sergi Canos. Sergi is returning to the form we know he has but he has had to work hard to get there. His enthusiasm is immense to watch and no doubt rubs off on the team too. 00004784
  7. The whole Brentford team. They were a team and it showed before, during and after the game. 00004743

In the context of the season the result and the performance was critical and the obvious bonding between fans and team will be important in the months ahead. Brentford are a good team, a young team, mistakes will be made (by players, manager and fans) but lets keep this tight bond going.

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14 Jan 2018

Brentford 2 Bolton Wanderers 0. A Comfortable Victory Against A Poor Bolton Side.


The reality was that Brentford were clearly the vastly superior side in skill, technique and work rate and thoroughly deserved the victory which could have been more comprehensive. 00001530

Without doubt to give perspective Bolton were the second worst side to visit Griffin Park this season with Burton being the worst. Both sides also make me wonder why does anyone pay to watch their brand of prehistoric football?  Bolton lacked any skill or style, and their version of football consisted of not having any player under 6ft and many over that, and just kicking the ball in the general direction of the sky. Curiously about their only player who was not gigantic was a full back called Little. Not everyone on social media would however agree with my sentiments. But frankly the few chances that came their way derived from long throw ins or errors in gifting the ball to Bolton in dangerous situations.

There was also cabaret to be had with the antics of Phil Parkinson in his touchline boudoir seemingly disagreeing with each and every decision made by the referee, to the extent of clear fouls ( shirts being pulled, players being pulled down) seemingly being within the spectrum of normal play in his not so humble opinion.

Neal Maupay

Brentford were not at their best today but that did not matter. The impressive Florian Josefzoon caused problems all afternoon and although Vibe did not have his best game, he caused enough mischief to have had a reasonable game.

There were some real positives though today. The distribution of Dan Bentley was superb. His throwing the ball out makes a real difference. Chris Mepham again had a great game and John Egan is not going to get back into the side easily, if at all. Nico Yennaris had a decent game too and right back may be his best position, however he gave the ball away far too many times and often in dangerous positions. It was also good to see Neal Maupay score a back heel goal in the final minutes. Although this may have looked easy, he actually finished it very well and hopefully his confidence will return.

To return to Bolton, my prediction is relegation. They will fail to trouble sides who play football although undoubtedly will get a few points against the Burton and Sheff Wednesday style sides that rely on kick and run ( both the ball and the player) and sit perilously near the relegation zone. Bolton and Burton will go down, and the third place is open for auditions from Sunderland, Birmingham and Hull.

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09 Jul 2017
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The Jota Situation. Very complex to interpret this right now


All Brentford fans would have seen the upturn in results and performances after the New Year with the return of Jota, and this was evident from his very first game in the FA cup against Eastleigh. Not only were his performances excellent but it was also the impact he had on the rest of the team, the work ethic was better, the smiles returned to faces and in many games he made the goals that Lasse Vibe scored. The Spanish contingent with Sergi Canos cannot also be underestimated. That relationship is a good one both on and off the pitch.

Jota

Jota smiling on his Brentford return

Jota

Jota on the wing

We know very little right now other than that the Brentford hierarchy are not agitated by these rumours of an imminent bid. This means one of two things. They are confident he will stay, possibly with an increased contract offer. Alternatively they are resigned to him going, expect an overinflated fee and have replacements lined up.

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On social media the fans views are broadly those who feel that selling him

sends a message that Brentford are not really aiming at promotion, and feel let down, or those who take a more realistic view that at the moment Brentford simply cannot refuse to sell a player if the price is right.

Jota

Jota

Jota

Jota

For what it is worth I will give my view. I think Jota should stay. Two reasons. Firstly from his own viewpoint he has had a shaky couple of years until January. We cannot ignore that he returned to Spain to Eibar and whatever the reason for his return ( some unspecified issues) they clearly impacted his performances and his psyche. He mostly did not get into the Eibar first team. Jota would benefit from a season of stability to demonstrate consistency . Secondly, even in this era, loyalty should be rewarded and for him to stay and then in a year (if he wishes) to leave at a higher price, would be the best solution for all concerned. What is required though is a contract extension. Brentford cannot and should not be in a position to allow him to leave for zero money in a year. Another year playing at the top of the championship would not be such a bad thing as for me if I were a premiership club I would be cogniscent of the above but also would wonder if he really is ready to claim a first team place?

At the current time he is with the squad for their pre-season European trip and the musings are that he is not disturbed by the rumours of an imminent bid. Let us see what happens. West Ham,Burnley, Newcastle and Everton , need to make their own decisions based on the above.

https://chrisbushephotography.com/2017/01/09/jota/

 

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