Brentford FC in the Premier League?

[tikay]

...well probably not, but I doubt have they ever been higher than 3rd in the Championship (or equivelant, back in the day), which is their current position.

Realistically, do they have any chance of making it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tables

The Bookies rate them @ around 9/2 for Promotion, which seems fearfully skinny to me.

Can this really be happening?

[arbboy]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brentford-owner-matthew-benham-every-championship-club-wants-to-get-into-the-premier-league-and-we-are-no-different-9336176.html

Why not?  Money talks at all levels of football and Brentford have as much as most in the Championship.

[rinswun]

I have watched almost every game the team has played this season and only Bournemouth and Boro deserved results against us. Warburton favours a high energy pressing game which borders on reckless at times but teams don't seem to be able work out what to do when they don't have time to pick a pass. Yesterday Wolves must have kicked the ball directly into touch about 8 or 9 times as a result. The number of goals Brentford have scored recently from winning the ball in the opposition's final third is incredible.

I think it's only natural that results will level off a bit as teams have more video to research but I think the real key depends on how the team's fitness pans out through the winter. Pressing that hard on wet, heavy pitches will really take it's toll and that's when squad depth will be tested. I have not seen any reason why Brentford can't be in the mix at the end of the season and I'm certainly enjoying the ride!

[DungBeetle]

Brentford were very good at Vicarage Road and unlucky to lose, which is the only time I have seen them.  I suspect the rigours of the Championship will expose squad depth of Brentford/Bournemouth/Ipswich over 46 games, and squads like Watford (for all the fact that they are a complete shambles at the moment), Derby and Middlesborough will push forwards.  However, if they can stay clear of injuries to key players and keep settled sides there is no reason why one of these teams can't do a Burnley and secure automatic promotion this season, with another one in the playoffs.

Injuries permitting, the importance of a settled side can't be overstated.  70% of Watford's problems this season are caused by idiotic rotation just to keep stroppy big name players "happy" by giving them some game time.  Just results in half the players not understanding what is required of them, especially when the formations chop and change as well.

[KingPush]

Would be a good story but all the underlying numbers say no unless they're missing something.

[rinswun]

Which underlying numbers?

[KingPush]

Basically concede more shots than they take, hard to finish in the top 6 playing like this.

[rinswun]

Not sure how many of the games you've watched but I think that is either incorrect or a massive misnomer. In terms of high quality scoring chance differential, Brentford would been a big positive. Most of the chances the oppo seem to get are often 25 yard pot shots.

I've not looked back through the stats for the last 10 games or so but i'd think we'd be the team with the most possession more often than not and would have the most shots on target more regularly too.

[redarmi]

Basically concede more shots than they take, hard to finish in the top 6 playing like this.

Their shots on target ratio is slightly positive and there is only Boro, Bournemouth and Norwich that are massively better.  It is a very, very tight division and results in the bag are important.  Given the team they have their I wouldn't be writing them off just yet.

[Matt.NFFC.]

It's a wide open league, I say it's more than possible.

Anyone but Derby!

If I was to pick a top 2, I don't think I could to be honest.

[KingPush]

Basically concede more shots than they take, hard to finish in the top 6 playing like this.

Their shots on target ratio is slightly positive and there is only Boro, Bournemouth and Norwich that are massively better.  It is a very, very tight division and results in the bag are important.  Given the team they have their I wouldn't be writing them off just yet.

Didn't look at shots on target. Agreed but I still think it is unlikely. Their last 4 games are pretty kind though and who knows what the fuck is going to happen in the upcoming transfer window with all the banning going on.

[tikay]

The impossible dream lives on, a victory away to Norwich today keeps them right in the mix.

 

[booder]

The impossible dream lives on, a victory away to Norwich today keeps them right in the mix.

 

Good victory that ,thoroughly deserved.

[rinswun]

An impressive victory as well, well deserved against an admittedly below par Norwich. If we don't go up it's safe to say Jota won't be with us next year, what a player he is. Pritchard is some talent as well but will on loan from Spurs - big future on the game imo.

Big game on TV next Saturday - Boro were the best team we've played so far this year. If we get a result I really will start to believe.

[DMorgan]

Great sweat seeing Brentford as the biggest fixture on soccer saturday while everyone else is chasing a silly cup