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After creaking for an hour or so again yesterday, Brentford eventually clicked into gear and swept away their opponents.

Yesterday’s team selection surprise was the inclusion of Alan McCormack at right back in the place of Shaleum Logan – in truth a position that the former Swindon skipper has played a number of times in his career. Will Grigg also returned to the side from the Northern Ireland bench whilst Tony Craig replaced the injured Martin Taylor.

Brentford were OK in the first half (some fans had hoped for a rip-roaring riposte to last Saturday’s clear the air talks between manager and players) but the talking point at half time was of a horrific miss by Marcello Trotta with the goal at his mercy.

It therefore came as little surprise when the visitors took the lead when Okuonghae rose unchallenged to head home a corner. A depressing event which led to Brentford’s footballing triangles losing purpose and touch as confidence ebbed from the crowd and players.

Another Brentford chance came and went – Saville heading against the bar – before the game’ s crunch point.

Adam Forshaw – who’s under par performance came courtesy of a stomach complaint (and who must have been pleased we weren’t in white shorts) – was subbed alongside Grigg in the 75th minute with Sam Saunders and Kadeem Harris coming on.

The removal of our best player of recent week’s was greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd – and some chanting of “getting sacked in the morning” from the Ealing Road. The chant certainly wasn’t unanimous, but it was there.

The singing certainly provoked a response from Uwe and Alan Kernaghan and in turn their players as the Bees finally started to up their game. The support replied in kind with the atmosphere rising as Farid El Alagui – who’s reputation seems to improve with each game he’s left on the bench – getting ready to enter the fray for Trotta.

But Farid had to wait his turn as Clayton broke down the right and crossed for Marcello to finish crisply – the Italian racing away in delight to celebrate with his team-mates.

With confidence starting to flow back into the team, the Bees were ahead just four minutes later when George Saville – who had grown into the game as it progressed – cut inside and curled an absolute peach past the despairing Walker.

With Farid now on the pitch, Brentford continued to attack and a fantastic 11 minutes was completed when Donaldson broke again, lofting the ball to the far post where Harris arrived at pace to dive and head the ball home. 3-1.

There was still time for some handbags from the evergreen clapping machine Clinton Morrison who took exception to a heavy Harlee Dean challenge. However Brentford saw out the remaining minutes and thoroughly deserved this win against their lacklustre opponents.

Kernaghan talked after the game about the players having been under “mental pressure” – but it’s pressure that has been created by a mixture of increased expectation and some poor recent displays. It’s also interesting that Kernaghan, and not Uwe, took the press conference.

Hopefully the display of vocal displeasure from the Ealing Road will act as a clearing of the air between management and fans and we can all kick on from here back into the promotion hunt. The chanting bristled with many other supporters incidentally – most prefer to get behind the team on match day.

Brentford travel to bottom of the table Bristol City on Tuesday and it’s vital that we take this positive momentum into the game. I’d imagine their own confidence is pretty frail right now.

Yesterday was the first time in several weeks that we got behind our opponents defence and it certainly made a difference. In Harris we now have a player with the pace and skill to take the game to opponents, let’s hope we use him well.

Condorman

Bees – Button, McCormack, Dean, Craig, Bidwell, Saville, Forshaw (Saunders), Douglas, Grigg (Harris), Donaldson, Trotta (El Alagui)