With the Bees’ two play-off rivals, Wolves and Ipswich, drawing their lunchtime kick-off match, a win over Bolton Wanderers at sunny Griffin Park became even more essential… But despite having their noses in front on two occasions through goals from Alex Pritchard and Jonathan Douglas, defensive splutters allowed Bolton back into the game and a share of the spoils.
With Pritchard returning to the starting eleven, Mark Warburton was able to pick his strongest attacking side, but the visitors hadn’t travelled south to simply make up the numbers – this was a match they clearly wanted to win – and Bolton should have gone ahead when Emille Heskey was allowed acres of space, only to miss the target when it looked easier to score… That was a massive let off, one that Brentford punished with a flowing move that was finished well by the Spurs loanee shortly afterwards.
Wanderers were back on level terms when Toumani’s ball forward was blocked and played straight through to Adam Le Fondre, the former Reading striker producing a clinical finish, before mysteriously gesturing some sort of nonsense to the family section. Pathetic.
It was also strange to see Neil Lennon mark his first return to Griffin Park since bringing his Celtic side to TW8 two seasons ago, by re-enacting the Bhoys’ post-match pitch invasion during the game yesterday.
Andre Gray produced a cracking shot that frustratingly came back off the post before the mood was lifted again when Jonathan Douglas’ header eventually found the net via the post, the goalkeeper, and the bar… But as we know, a single goal lead is one the Bees struggle to hold on to.
Brentford struggled to impose themselves after the break and, despite sub Stuart Dallas going very close, the clear cut chances were few and far between.
Still, a goal up, and with Derby County’s see-saw match against Huddersfield level, the Bees were still in the play-off hunt, but a howler at the back between Tarki and Button led to the goal that leaves our destiny in other clubs’ hands.
A third consecutive 2-2 draw at Griffin Park, and a single point haul from a game we needed to win, means that even if the Bees win their remaining two fixtures, the wheels really need to come off at Ipswich and Derby… Possible yes, likely, probably not.
Listen to the Pride of West London Beesotted post match podcast to hear what the fans said back in the pub, however, if we can get to the final game of the season, at home to Wigan, still in the hunt if results elsewhere go our way, the dream may still be alive.
In the meantime, a win at Reading is critical… I still think it could go to the wire.
Dave Lane
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“..defensive splutters” is very restrained. Complete ineptitude which would not have been out of place on a school playing field would be nearer the mark. When will Button get it into his thick skull that there is a time and a place for playing the ball out from the back and giving it to Diagouraga on the edge of the box with someone up his chuff is not one of them. As for Tarkowski’s sloppy backpass, words fail me. Still, having Federici and Button on the pitch at the same time at the Madejski next week should make for an interesting afternoon.
PS If hear one more person say if it had been offered I would have settled for 7th at the start of the season I will scream.
Regard to ps its a fact get over it.