With the start of the new campaign a little over a week away, Brentford fans have learned of the difficult news that last season’s club captain, and talismanic creative midfielder, Romaine Sawyers, has left the club to re-join West Bromwich Albion.

Having passed a medical at The Hawthorns earlier today, Slaven Bilic’s Baggies, have captured one of the Bees’ most impressive players in recent years, however, with just a season remaining on his contract, and several other midfield options having arrived in West London over the summer break, the Directors of Football have decided to take the money on offer for the 27-year-old now, rather than risk letting Sawyers become a free agent this time next year and running his contract down.

The fee, believed to be just shy of £3m, seems a bargain in today’s inflated market, however, with Leeds United and Celtic believed to have also expressed an interest in the St. Kitts and Nevis international, a move back to the club where he made his football league debut after progressing through Albion’s academy, was always going to be his preferable option.

Beesotted’s Social Media has been exceptionally busy in the past week as rumours about Sawyers’ future became more and more questionable, and there have been some outstanding, and contrasting, contribution from the Brentford fan-base. Here is a selection which highlights how the news of Romaine’s departure has been greeted.

The choice for Brentford is a disgruntled player for a season, no cash and future players looking at us to say, are we a club that allows progression. Or take the money, replace him with better and highlight Brentford as a club players can come to, to progress

— Wilfred Diego (@Wilfred_Diego) July 25, 2019

What’s the logic of this move, from Brentford’s point of view? I don’t understand. He’s worth more than £3million, even if it was for just one season more

— Richard Eden (@richardaeden) July 25, 2019

If he wanted to go to WBA, his boyhood club, Brentford weren’t going to stand in his way. We did the same for Smith. We got £3m for a player we payed bugger all for, in his last year and replaced him with younger more rounded players.

— Oh Fuffuxake! (@TheChauffeur_) July 26, 2019

For one minute I thought this transfer window would be different and the club are actually trying to try and keep their best players whilst also strengthening the squad….Maupay and benhrama too follow no doubts…same old Brentford!!!!

— pete_ sullivan_83 (@sulliman83) July 25, 2019

Hope that’s not true. Especially as we are sitting in 4th at the moment and they are way down in 23rd. 🤣

— Ben Ryan (@benjaminryan) July 25, 2019

From my own point of view, I think his depature is undeniably a blow. Obviously we hope the new arrivals can step up to the mark and fill his boots, but the vision, composure and character of Sawyers will be sorely missed. It is a fact that he has been somewhat of a Marmite player at Griffin Park in his time here but, over all, he has been genuine class for Brentford and I wish him all the best for the rest of his career.

Dave Lane
@beesotted100

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