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Jingle all the way. BillytheBee went roaming around Deepdale hoping for an early Christmas present in the form of three points for the mighty Bees. And Santa didn’t disappoint the impressive travelling support -Brentford tore Preston apart and came away with the booty.

If there was ever a message to be sent out to the other teams in the division, it was sent today from the Brentford camp. Orient fans mocked the Bees when we gave them the three points at Griffin Park and jested that we were so far down the table they couldn’t see us down there. Wolves fans questioned who we were. Well they know now! Nine wins in ten games says it all. The Bees are going for that top spot for sure… It may even e ours by the end of the year if this run continues against Swindon and MK.

With Uwe Rosler leaving for Wigan, there was always a fear that there would be an unsteadying of the ship and things could go horribly wrong. Well the early signs are it’s not only business as usual, but under Mark Warburton, Brentford have even stepped it up a gear.

Preston at Deepdale, undoubtedly, was going to prove to be one of our toughest challenges this half of the season. But not only did the team deliver … but they smashed the opposition into submission in such a way that the Bees’ quest for top spot at the end of the season is clearly not a mere pipe dream … it is very much a reality.

Preston have good pedegree. Players such as Garner, Gallagher, David, Hulme are decent. Their manager Simon Grayson is decent. They’re a club with a big fanbase. And whilst their football wasnt pretty, they weren’t messing about. They were big and tough and gave the Bees plenty of stick. And, to be fair to Brentford, they gave it right back – the bully-boy tactics not phasing the Brentford team one bit.

Preston we’re not really in the game in the first half. Yes they got the ball and had a few half-chances, but in reality, they failed to create one clear opportunity whilst using fouling tactics to continually break down Brentford’s attacks. Clayton Donaldson was a real handful and caused the PNE defence all manner of problems.

Brentford were more than happy to soak up the Preston pressure than hit them on the break – something the Bees did mighty effectively.

And it was on the break that Brentford scored their first goal: Donaldson chased a through-ball by Saville down the right, when Preston keeper Rudd came charging out and brought him down. Penalty! Adam Forshaw stepped up and despatched the kick to the keeper’s left.

The 500 Bees fans were still celebrating when Forshaw’s snap-shot shot was saved by Rudd… The former Evertonian picking up the rebound before finding Trotta, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

That was when Preston realised the game was over and resorted to thuggish football. Kevin Davis was lucky to stay on after his tackle on Donaldson. He also took Harris out with a horrendous cynical tackle that saw the Cardiff loanee stretchered off with a hamstring injury that could possibly be his last game for Brentford.

Two-nil up at half time, Preston came out for the second period looking to get back into the game and were clearly more lively. They had a great chance to get back into the game when they were given a penalty for a Bidwell push on Huntingdon, but Button pulled off a tremendous save with his legs to send the Bees fans into ecstacy.

Bees’ third came on the break once again. Forshaw intercepted a Preston attack, passed to Saville, who then in turn passed to Saunders who controlled the ball beautifully, then smashed it into the back of the net.

Brentford had chances from Grigg, Dean and Reeves to increase the lead further, but we were all happy with the three goals … and the three points … thank you very much!

There is definitely a new-found buzz with the Bees. The midfield is strong. Forshaw, once again, different class. But also Douglas is finding himself in more attacking positions of late. And Saville is becoming an incredibly effective rock in the middle of the pitch – often the orchestrator of Brentford’s best goalmouth opportunities (he set up two of the goals today).

The one downer is the injury to Harris – we haven’t lost a game that he has played in and, chances are, likely that we never will… with him due to return to Cardiff now to rehabilitate from his injury.

The team seemed to have more zest. Still cautious in defence, but with a real spring in their step when they hit on the break. Like they really meant business. Quite exciting. There was no sitting back when we were 1-0 and 2-0 up here. This was proper ‘go for the kill’ business.

There are three tough games still to come over Xmas, But with the run we are on at the moment, no one but no one is going to want to play us. And who wouldn’t put money on us being top at 5pm on New Years Day?

Now Orient …. can we see you up there? Christ yes! Your sliding team are in our way… move over… The Brentford steam train is coming through.

BillytheBee
@billythebee

So…. oh what fun it is to see … Brentford win away. And what fun it has been the last two months since the Stevenage ‘dressing room-gate’.

Merry Christmas to one and all. Remember the “Come on you Brentford” launch party featuring According to You live will be Sun Dec 29th in The Globe after the MK Dons game. Email [email protected] to get your name down on guest list.