Brentford once again struggled to find the break-through at Griffin Park, with Scunthorpe United becoming the latest visitors to arrive in TW8, then set about spoiling the Bees’ rhythm.
Uwe Rosler fielded an ‘unusual’ yet exciting-looking line-up: Forrester and Saunders both enjoying the chance to start, Tony Craig becoming left-back again to accommodate Leon Moore alongside Harlee Dean, Jake Reeves was given a chance to shine in the middle, while Trotta and Wright-Phillips became strike-partners because of Donaldson’s sad news. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family Clayton.
Scunny, like so many sides, were happy to try and defend in numbers and frustrate, then hit on the break – dangerous tactics when there is so many attacking options and chances created. Although the Bees were wasteful at times and (Mrs) Slocombe in United’s goal made several good stops, there seemed more of an inevitability that Brentford would score this week, which wasn’t the case seven days earlier against Walsall, a match which had 0-0 written all over it.
But for all Brentford’s superiority: Trotta and Wright-Phillips being thwarted, or providing a weak finish, the Iron could have gone in front when Tom Newy blazed over after the Bees defence had been unlocked. It was a big let-off.
After facing criticism from some fans following several head-scratching substitutions seven days ago, Rosler certainly got things right this time round. Stuart Dallas, who had come on for Saunders, looked bright and exciting, and injected another dimension out on the right – but it was Tom Adememi’s introduction with a little over 20 minutes to go that clinched the game’s outcome – the Norwich loanee scoring with his first touch after the ball was laid back to him after scramble in the area.
Dallas had a good chance to double the lead, while Simon Moore had to stay sharp between the sticks, but the win was no more than Brentford deserved in truth – Scunthorpe were tight but offered little – and the boys in red and white had the edge in every area of the pitch.
The second win on the spin sees Brentford move back up to fourth in the table, four points off top spot with a game in hand – and with two away games against mid-table teams in the week ahead – the team must be looking forward to build upon the growing momentum.
