Beesotted contributor Luis Adriano gives his thoughts on the Mark Warburton scenario
Things had been ticking along so nicely since this season started that I felt absolutely no desire to write anything about Brentford FC. I believed I had nothing to add to the great Bees Bloggers already out there as the team just continued to exceed the expectations I, erm, expected, everyone to have. No hint of a relegation battle, not even meandering along to mid table mediocrity, just a season of wonderment taking us into the Play Off places. I’ve just been enjoying the performances from afar and the words others have used to describe this joyride.
There were times last season, and even during pre-season, where I felt a need to address the (dwindling in numbers) doubters, trying to convince them that #NewBrentford was a reality. We would finally get out of the third tier and once up in the Championship we weren’t about to slide straight back down like Yeovil and Doncaster who had both cruelly pipped us the season before. The structure we had in place was perfect for a club of our standing. Steady, sensible progress would ensure the term, “it’s Brentford Innit” could no longer be used in a negative manner.
Then the Times runs THAT story on Tuesday 10th February which just blows everyone over.
Mark Warburton, probably the best manager all Bees fans who are still alive have ever witnessed, is to be sacked even if he gets us in the Premier League. Really?
There has already been so much spoken and written on the matter. My overriding consideration since I’ve tried to understand the gist of what is happening is… what the f**k do I want Brentford Football Club to be and does this differ significantly from the owner?
If, Matthew Benham, is seriously considering “sacking” a manager who could get us into the Premier League, then like Jim Levack has already said (read the full article here), I’m not sure I want to be part of that.
Matthew obviously has every right to do what he wants. Maybe he has seen the progress Southampton made after they “unbelievably” sacked Nigel Adkins and sees this as the way ahead. His vision may well be of us challenging Europe’s elite and maybe that I what we should all be dreaming of. I do understand at the moment there is so much rumour that it is hard to know what is true.
There just does seem to be an element of acceptance that this Spanish fella, who it must be said seems a very good manager, is on his way.
It has just got me thinking, do I even want us to be a success in the Premier League? Should I be more ambitious and want Brentford FC to be beating Barcelona in the Champions League? I’m all confused and, just like the excuse for breaking off relationships, it’s a case of, “uurggggh, I really don’t know what I want.” I guess I’m scared of what continued, quick, progress may bring. I suppose it’s the common fear of change.
I’ve always liked the idea of a season or two in the Prem then more of a residence in the Championship. Surely this is wrong? Shouldn’t I be wanting us to become the best in the world? Arggghh, I don’t know what I want.
I like the thought of collecting the Premier League sticker album for the odd season(s) we’re in the top division and I would also LOVE IT if we could get Griffin Park properly represented on FIFA16 or 17 with Lionel Road also making it onto a version or two.
League trips to Old Trafford, The Emirates and Villa Park would be special. Do I want them to become the norm though? I’m not sure I do.
It might well be the fact that the ‘news’ came from a Rupert Murdoch source on the same day his Sky corporation paid their share of over £5billion for rights to show Premier League football. The amounts of money in the top division are obscene. A big part of me doesn’t really want to be a part of that. Like I said, I don’t know what I want.
I honestly don’t know if anything will beat the feeling of seeing us finally make a great stab at the second tier. This is what I have wanted to see ever since I started going to Griffin Park. I note Matthew Benham says he has been a true fan since 1979. My only air of superiority over him in anything is the fact that I went to my first game on 31st December 1978!
It might well be that I am already grieving for Griffin Park. Yep, #GrievingPark. I know we need Lionel Road but, well, it will just be different again won’t it? I guess it would be a laugh to see how the local (well not that local) Kew Bridge and Chiswick residents cope with Ultras from top Euro sides but I’m still scared at how much I will miss Griffin Park.
It might also be that I have other priorities in my life and the success of ‘my’ football team isn’t as important as it used to be. I like speaking to football folk at work at how well we did to do a double over Leeds but do I really want them to chat about my team like they do theirs? I don’t know.
I certainly don’t want us to be back in League One.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out.
I’m thankful that Matthew Benham has taken us comfortably away from Division Three. His generosity has been unbelievable.
I’m thankful that Mark Warburton has got us playing football at a level I have been desperate to see.
I watched some of the recent fans’ meeting online and felt genuine pride in everyone there. Just like the Lionel Road Planning Committee meeting, I was left feeling so pleased that these talented individuals were working collectively for MY team.
I just don’t know what I want to happen next. Yes, we should probably aim for the stars. However, for every Apollo 11, there’s a Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099). In truth, I’m quite happy just star gazing from planet earth, especially when the view is as beautiful as it has been over the last few months.
Luis Adriano
@LuisAdrianoUK
Totally concur with all that has been said on here. I was, until Monday, brimming with pride at my side for the first time in a long time.
I really don’t know what is going on. Some reports talk of a restructure, an all powerful Sporting Director who oversees all of the player acquisitions and sales which Warbs doesn’t seem too keen on? But that is purely what I’ve read.
Ultimately though, you don’t sack a manager who has the players belief and are playing for him. You don’t sack a man who you’ve known for years.
From BBC website
He met current Brentford owner Matthew Benham while working in the City and latterly coached at Clement Danes School in Watford alongside his job.
Particularly after giving him his chance in the sun, and then who has repaid that faith many times over. They don’t grind out results either, they play an attractive style of football that many league managers this season have been impressed with.
Come on Matthew, we need a thorough brief on everything that is currently going on now that this story has hit the tabloids, no hiding behind PR gumph. What has gone so sour in such a short space of time?
Love Warbs and agree with most of whats written above he’s not going to sack him is he reading between the lines but just let his contract expire in the summer,if it wasn’t for Benhams backing and money we would be in the conference by now FACT, just sit back and enjoy the ride
Sitting here on Sunday afternoon before #THATstatement we’ve been led to believe will come out tomorrow and agreeing now with what you managed to state in a calm and distinct way!
I was questioning what I wanted from The Bees and wondered if it differs from the owner. I’ve spent most of the time since failing to understand the level of criticism and abuse directed at Matthew Benham. It appears some has caused him to close down his social network accounts on Twitter & Facebook.
The man has done so much and I don’t care if I come across as a kiss arse. I’ve never actually met him although I know many fans have. People are so quick to jump on anything they think isn’t quite right and forget all the good that has come beforehand.
The worst thing that has happened in this situation is the poor communication of what is, and will be, going on.
Just using Myers Briggs’ personality traits for a moment, I think I’m struggling from having an ‘Intuition’ outlook on life rather than ‘Sensing’. I always look at the Big Picture versus the intricate detail of things. While others focus on the fine specifics of this lack of communication costing us a few league points, I’m just glad we are in a position to pick up any of these. And, in the effing Championship.
I’ll probably write more later but, for now, I just wanted to state how hard I am finding it to believe people have been so negative and even abusive towards Matthew Benham. Here is an individual without whose financial input and innovative ideas we would be lucky to even be playing in League Two.
I wrote quite a long follow up but lost it! Will try again…
Most of my thoughts since I wrote the article has been around just what a successful man Matthew Benham is and how this must reflect in his thinking for the club. He must have much more of a winning mentality than I (and possibly other Bees fans) do.
He is clearly used to achieving what he wants to achieve. I doubt you amass a wealth like his with the “you win some, you lose some” attitude most of my life has been led by. I’ve had a few successes in my life, I’ve had a few failures in my life. I sense MB doesn’t experience much of the latter.
So, in quite a lot of ways, we probably have different mindsets hence my initial struggle at the idea Warburton wouldn’t see anything but an improved contract on offer at the end of this season.
MB probably genuinely sees Brentford FC challenging the football elite. With his brain full of success stories, he’ll see no other outcome than the Brentford Football Club he wants.
Until I win the Oscar I’m aiming for(!), my brain will struggle to cope with the idea that The Bees could be up there p*****g over the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Having thought about it for a while though, f*** it, why not?
I still love Warbs. As I wrote elsewhere on the day the news story broke…
Mark Warburton has been excellent for Brentford FC,
Brentford FC has been excellent for Mark Warburton.
I do really hope Chris Ramsay isn’t keeping a seat warm for him but know he’ll be ok whatever the outcome of this affair is. He is a true Bees Legend whatever happens.
If this talk about a sleep expert and free-kick specialist coach is true then, again, why not? Any way we can improve should be considered.
I just think MY BRENTFORD will probably always be Griffin Park Brentford. The Old Girl couldn’t survive, I understand that. We need Lionel Road, I understand that. We need to think of the future I understand that.
I think I just thought #NewBrentford would be a club of a similar calibre to the likes of Reading, possibly even Crystal Palace at a stretch. I’m now happy to understand that the owner probably wants to see us leave clubs like this in our wake.
When we are at Lionel Road, the progress will probably continue. Come on then, let’s go for it.
We might even end up spending tens of millions of pounds on players. Obviously I hope the model is always to get players who will improve. It’s just that even if we picked up say Lionel Messi, I’m not sure I could love him any more than the likes of Sam Saunders, Richard Lee, Harlee Dean, Jonny Douglas etc and going back, even Terry Hurlock, Gary Blissett, Jamie Bates, Terry Evans, Steve Phillips and Len Bond.
I now get, we shouldn’t set ourselves a ceiling of what we can achieve. It’s Brentford Innit has to be a positive phrase now and could refer to the 2022 Champions League Final when a Brooklyn Beckham hatrick sees us retain the trophy with a 5-0 win over Bayern Munich.
It’s just even if this did happen, would it really top 2014 as being the best year ever to be a Bee? For me, I’m not convinced!