Boris Johnson For Brentford Manager? Newcastle for Relegation? – Brentford Fans’ Season Preview

Peter Kay. Boris Johnson. Theresa May. Baldrick. Bradley Walsh. Joey Essex. Who would you trust to manage your Brentford team?

As a new season approaches and fans’ appetites starts to get whetted, we thought now was as good a time as ever to preview this forthcoming season – getting the thoughts of our various guests on The Beesotted Pride Of West London Podcast.

Bees fans give us their highs and lows of last season. Their expectations this season. The songs that reminds them of poignant Brentford moments. And even tell us what celebrity they would like to guide the team to promotion. 

The podcast will be back on Thursday 28th July – live at 7am UK time. to make sure you get it downloaded straight to your phone/computer or tablet – no prompting.

And next week check out big season preview featuring bloggers from all 24 Championship clubs. 

Name: Ali (@AliMullalley) – Podcast Guest
Resides: New Road

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

Mixed fortunes really. We saw some truly appalling football, mixed with some truly wonderful stuff. Fortunately the good far outweighed the bad.

Highs: Forest away (relief at turning the corner). Hogan. QPR at home (stonking atmosphere). Huddersfield away.

Lows: QPR away – team looked lost and devoid of any clue. Judge’s broken leg. Tarkowski. Walsall.

And just to finish off, I would LOVE to know what we do in International breaks!!!! If there’d been one more, we might have won the league!!

What are your thoughts for this season?

At this point, we look like we’re going to come out of this transfer window gaining more than we’ve lost. I’m really excited about Egan and Sawyers. McLeod managing to stay fit and Bjellend coming back means we have real competition at the back and in midfield.

My FIFA playing son also tells me Bentley rates higher than Button!! Still think the best of Hogan (frighteningly) may be yet to come. Will be interested to see who is made captain. Think it should be Harlee BUT there’s a lot of competition at centre half.

If I had one wish for this season, it would be to have a decent cup run and to draw one of the big boys (anyone fancy Jose’s United?) at home.

Best moment of last season

Hogan’s first goal.

Worst moment of last season

QPR away (cried on the telly – almost)

Funniest moment of last season

Lasse Vibe’s “Sh!t Andy Carroll” twitter post after Bolton fans barracked him for most of the match comparing him to the West Ham striker. And then he scored …. twice.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

More Ladies loos!!!!

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity would it be and why?

Baldrick from Blackadder because he always has a plan!

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

Liberal Nick mentioning the potential “three” North East teams in the Championship next season in our end-of-season knees up in The Globe. The subsequent confused look on his face when asked who the third was (Boro had just secured promotion) was a picture

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

The atmosphere (or lack thereof) at Griffin Park. Hopefully it will be better this season. We haven’t even moved yet and it’s not what it used to be.

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why?

Have to admit I’m stumped on this one!!

What position will Brentford finish?

9th. Would love it to be higher but it’s a really tough league this year

Savvy Bee (@Sav_Kyriacou) – Podcast Guest
Where do you reside: Ealing Road

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

Rollercoaster. I tend to keep my emotions fairly level but they were sorely tested last season. We all know what happened with the pitch, players leaving, injuries, managers, winless runs, unbeaten runs. But there was a point at the end of March when I was just about to lose faith.

Luckily, that was the moment when everything changed. Smith found the system that favoured the players available to him and his coaching started to pay off. Derby away was my personal low of the season – on the pitch, but I really didn’t like the vibe away at QPR.

Nothing could give me more pleasure than the first few minutes against Fulham at Griffin Park – just as I was getting stick from my Fulham-supporting cousin via whatsapp

What are your thoughts for this season?

With Button and Bidwell already gone, this season should be much calmer in terms of players leaving. Currently only Judge is likely to be on anyone’s radar although I expect people to be sniffing around Hogan by Christmas. Smith is the kind of head coach who develops young players and he’s got the raw materials to do that with.

I can see us improving as the season progresses and the youngsters develop under his tutelage. We still need a left back and some attacking width, but Smith knows that.

There are a lot of big teams in our division now – which should afford some added excitement – and teams like Leeds, Bristol City, Reading and Nottingham Forest have begun to splash the cash [again], so I think maybe the supporters will need to reign in expectations.

A top ten finish and topping the West London mini-league again would be very good going.

Best moment of last season

The moment Jota scored against Fulham

Worst moment of last season

The realisation that Jota’s goal was disallowed.

Funniest moment of last season 

Jimmy Mac lying on a piano in St Pancras Station singing Hey Jude after the Nottingham Forest away match

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

A long and prosperous life for Matthew Benham [and son, and grandson…] … or maybe a Get Out of Relegation Free card.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Theresa May. She seems to be a winner.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

Liberal Nick’s infatuation with West Germany winning Euro 2016. Apparently he was planning to watch the tournament in a tardis.

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

“So, we’ve played every team once and are still unbeaten. How do we keep this going in the second half of the season?”

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

The Redskins: The Power is Yours

Chatting about them and this song in particular with my Nottingham mate before the Derby game.

What position will Brentford finish ?

11th

Nick Bruzon (@NickBruzon) – The Last Word Blog
Resides: Ealing Road – but about to go Braemar (the things you do for a three year old who loves Buzzette)

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

In retrospect – wonderful.
At the time – the most topsy turvy I can recall in some time. It was either giddy high or sickening low. The proverbial rollercoaster but nobody could deny it wasn’t exciting

What are your thoughts for this season?

Staff – settled
Vibe – he’s only going to get better (see what I’ve done there. – Yes very good – Ed)
Transfers – in, ambitious. Out – understandable
Manager – he’ll pick up where he left off
Supporters – win and we’ll be the best ever; lose and many will moan. Expectation levels have risen to a ridiculous level. Enjoy every minute of the ride, that’s my advice now
Competition – the Championship doesn’t get any easier. You lose Boro’ Hull and Brentford B to the Premier League. You get Newcastle, Villa, Norwich and parachute payments

Best moment of last season

Humping Fulham at home

Worst moment of last season

Walsall in the cup. If ever there was a moment of apathy, nonchalance and general disinterest from the people who are supposed to give a damn.

That was, until we played at QPR. 4-6-0 formation. Ineptitude on pitch and supporters bitchng, moaning and fighting amongst themselves. Truly, a grim afternoon

Funniest moment of last season

Mark Burridge losing it on BeesPlayer when Sergi Canos scored against Reading

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

Cameron Diaz to finally come out of the closet and admit to being a Brentford fan – preferably pictured with a top on (or Dean Gaffney).

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Wee Jimmy Kranky. The last place you’d want to be is on the bench with her. Players do your all to stay on pitch

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

Too much material Billy. Too many and too long (that’s not a criticism)

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

Kit nerd here – so that one is obvious really. Or Gary Blissett – a demi God amongst men

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

Down,Down by Status Quo

Aside for the Rhino connection, it’s my standard request for #BeeTheDJ – our one, decent, hashtag. The anti – #TrophyFriends, if you will

What position will Brentford finish?

6th

Lou (@LordLouCan) – Podcast Guest
Resides: Curva Est (Brook Road)

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season? 

Missed opportunity in the end. Not far off where we wanted to be but assumed too much would go to plan.

High: Finishing top of West London Mini league

Low: Manager merry go round only made the Warburton hangover even worse

Good: Hogan’s return, shown great potential

Bad: the injuries, the pitch and the player strike during the warm up against Burnley

What are your thoughts for this season?

Hopefully gain some consistency and become a well-oiled conveyor belt for exciting new talent, whilst playing a never say die brand of attacking football.

Would really like some sort of cup run to accompany a strong upper mid-table finish in a very tough league this year.

Best moment of last season

Hogan scoring on his return

Worst moment of last season

Performance against QPR, away / James Tarkowski going on strike

Funniest moment of last season

Brentford fan Harry Potter being ejected from the train by Paul the conductor near Blackburn on the way to Burnley. Check the video here.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

The club employ an all powerful healer to fix Judge’s leg, Jota’s marriage and Harlee’s attitude in an instant.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Boris Johnson; an expert at eeking out an undeserved promotion. He’s the current MP for the spooky abandoned Brentford youth academy in Uxbridge and has experience making dud signings abroad (German Police water cannons).

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast or video moment you remember?

Drunk sore losing Brizzle (Bristol City) fan

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

Talking about our wins over Fulham and QPR highlighting the Button and Bidwell’s howlers.

I’d like us to do a friends reunited recap rounding of the varying fortunes of Tarky, Gray, Big Nick, Button, Jota, Bidwell etc. Might spread a bit of perspective amongst the listeners.

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

EVER – The tune that will always remind me of my stag-do in Tranmere was “Uwe Rosler Dance Now – a version of “Everybody Dance Now” by C&C Music Factory that we went mental to in The Cavern Club the night before the match

THIS SEASON – Club Tropicana – the tune was being played as we sipped happy hour cocktails in Turtle Bay Caribbean restaurant in Birmingham after that horrific defeat against Brum on a drizzily January day.

What position will Brentford finish?

8th

Liberal Nick (@NickCarthew) – Podcast Regular
Where do you reside: Ealing Road



What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

As expected, We stayed up, although admit I had fears in February/early March. Would have liked a longer cup run(s).

What are your thoughts for this season?

We have to assume there is only one automatic promotion place up for grabs. Newcastle will be Champions.

Personally I would be happy with same position as last year but with a more concerted effort in going for one of the Cups

Best moment of last season

Seeing Jimmy Mac suffer his hamstring (or was it Achilles?) injury at Nottingham Forest in the stands ridiculously resulting in confused stewards trying to eject him from the stadium

Worst moment of last season

Most of February

Funniest moment of last season 

Harry Potter getting thrown off the train in Accrington en route to Burnley

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

A win in a cup final or promotion play-off at Wembley

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Joey Essex from The Only Way is Essex who could give words of encouragement to Harlee Dean.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

Sitting outside the Griffin on a cold Tuesday night recording a post-match podcast as the news broke that Lee Carsley didn’t want the Head Coach role on a permanent basis

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

Whether the effects of Brexit and the fall in the value of sterling against the euro will affect the form of our players from the rest of Europe. Will KK have to hedge?

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

The Green, Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones

https://youtu.be/O-yKq-FsFyk

Dedicated to the numpties who ‘laid’ the new pitch last summer

What position will Brentford finish ?

12th

The Allard (@TheMattAllard) – Podcast Regular
New Road

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season? 

It was a consolidation season. Only problem was it had severe peaks and troughs, well troughs and peaks to be more accurate. It would have been easier if we’d just sat comfortably mid-table all season.

Off the pitch it was our Remain v Brexit moment. Supporters were completely polarised, with message boards and some social media best avoided. I’m not sure if families fell out over it but I suspect a few friendships were strained.

What are your thoughts for this season?

Who knows? I mean really who does know? We’ve hardly seen the new players play, we’re not really sure on Dean Smith and we certainly haven’t seen any of our opponents play.

What I think I have learnt about this league is there is likely to be two or three very strong sides and at least one going bankrupt at the bottom, I am pretty sure we won’t be in either of those groups. After that it’s an enjoyable mash up. I’m looking forward to it.

Best moment of last season

Nottingham Forest away – probably the 3rd goal. It was a moment of massive relief. The realisation we actually weren’t that bad.

Worst moment of last season

Well it should be QPR away, no doubt, but let’s be honest I think we kind of knew it was coming.

So I has to be the complete shock when we learnt that Lee Carsley – our new head coach – didn’t want to be our new head coach. I thought the Jenga set might be about to come crashing down. It was certainly teetering.

Funniest moment of last season

The Hey Jude round the piano sing-a-long at St Pancras after the Forest game. It even got a twitter shout out from someone called @lobsterlinguini “I’m thoroughly enjoying the mass sing-along to Hey Jude that is currently echoing through all of St Pancras station. Good work London.”

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

I’d waste it on not having to queue for the toilets in New Road at halftime. So probably best someone else gets the genie.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

If it was after a run of bad results I’d say Ben Kingsley. I’d get him to play his Don Logan character from Sexy Beast. He wouldn’t take any sh!t. It would be brilliant when the team need a halftime kick up the arse. He’d also scare the officials from the dugout and after match interviews would be on another level. Not sure how long it would take until there was a player mutiny and he’d end up buried under the pitch though. Probably a couple of weeks. I reckon Macca would lead the rebellion.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

See the Lee Carsley moment above. We heard Carsley didn’t want to manage Brentford right in the middle of recording a podcast live from outside The Griffin on a Tuesday night. It’s funny. But only in retrospect. It wasn’t very funny at the time.

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

I know what topic I don’t want to discuss. Mark bloody Warburton. Let it go people, let it go. I am looking forward to debating three at the back, because this will probably cause a meltdown when we lose the first game playing that way. Unfortunately, for that reason alone, the signs might be we’ve jettisoned it already.

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

Wrecking Bar by The Vaccines

For some reason this tune has made it onto the halftime playlist at Griffin Park, I’ve no idea why. It’s a bit of a rebel rouser and the best thing about it is it only lasts about a minute and a half but I defy anyone to be able to tell me the lyrics without reading them somewhere.

There’s a ‘Ra ra ra’ in there somewhere and that’s about all I can make out apart from possibly something about Scott Fitzgerald (not sure whether it’s our old striker or defender they are referring to though). I know this isn’t really what you asked for but it occurred to me to mention it when I read the question.

What position will Brentford finish?

Who knows? At the moment the league looks stronger than last year but I thought the same this time last year and I was completely wrong, I thought it was pretty poor. I’ll say 10th if I have to.

Billy Grant (@BillyTheBee99) – Beesotted Podcast Host
Ealing Road Bottom Right

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

Over enthusiasm to move on from the Warburton era resulted in too many changes. Also, it seems the club overlooked the system that worked for them over the years – with the ‘transfer committee (including manager, director of football, owner etc) all putting their tuppence worth in on new players (That was how Forshaw and Bidwell and Jota and Grat were signed).

Many players were bought signed up even before a new manager was appointed – which means he had little input. Understandable as the new manager joined in July whereas we concluded many of our deals early last season to get the players up and running for pre-season training. In retrospect a mistake.

We were in a half-way house between ‘Warburton’s team’ and ‘Dean’s team’ with a few players leaving for pastures new who I believe weren’t 100% into playing for the club any more. That .. plus the injuries, pitch-gate and poor start to Dean’s campaign it was a roller coaster.

Saying that, to be fair the players proved in the end they were good enough – with that fabulous end of season run –  they just needed more time to get acclimatised. More of an issue was us having a slightly unbalanced team (we still lack pace and a certain creativity).

Hopefully, Dean Smith will put that right this season.

What are your thoughts for this season?

I’m actually quite excited. OK we may not have the financial clout of other teams and have missed out on signings that we thought were in the bag like Kemar Roofe and (possibly) Rico Henry.

But we have an organised head coach who has gone into pre-season off the back of a good run and with a team of players he can say is 100% behind him. In addition, he has had a lot of input into the recruitment and more importantly has obviously knocked back the players that he does NOT want in his team – that didn’t happen last year.

This is a HUGE change form last season. I’m excited about the new signings including Lewis McLeod, Andreas Bjelland, Romaine Sawyers, Scott Hogan and Darren Bentley. If we can have a half decent start to the season, we will be in good stead.

Best moment of last season

QPR and Fulham and home were great. But to me, there is nothing better than an away game. And Preston away was quality.From beginning to end.

The train full of enthusiastic Bees just up for a good day out up North in January – result irrelevant. No moaning. Preston fans taking us out on the town. The atmosphere. The match (winning 3-1 in a pulsating game) .And the goals – especially Judge’s goal from the Barbet Beckham-style cross-field pass. Then there was the journey home.

It’s often the non-obvious away days that turn out to be the best .

Worst moment of last season

QPR away was poo. I never ever thought relegation was on the cards though.

Funniest moment of last season

It was a strange season. Not much out and out ‘fun’ as such even though we did well in the end .. but a load of wee moments. I did enjoy signing the “Alan Judge … scored a goal that sent us up” song in the bar beside Sheffield Wednesday’s ground – only for all the Wednesday fans in the bar to join in too.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be? 

That genie created a system which made it a more even playing field for ‘smaller teams’ – more money from the top was passed down from the TV companies evenly to ALL the teams in the leagues and also to the fans. Ridiculous parachute payments wee abolished. Players wages somehow are capped so that the player then looks at the TEAM as opposed to the highest payer (we still pay higher wages than most countries). The need to charge fans high ticket prices to compensate for the fact that you were running your business badly goes out the window. Everyone is happy then. Clubs can run within their means. Players still get paid and can’t complain another player is getting much more. Fans feal they are finally being dealt a good hand. And we get to see decent football.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Ross Kemp. No one would dare take the p!ss out of us again

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

In the pub it seems to always involve Liberal Nick. However, I still laugh when Mick Lynott appeared as a guest in the Queens Head Podcast in Hammersmith and promptly decided to tell us about his weekly podcast listening activity in the bath. Each week after that he was always referred to as “Clean Mick” accompanied by howls of laughter .. he hasn’t been back on since.

He is still very clean though.

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season? 

In January – “Do you still think Newcastle, Villa and Norwich will get out of the relegation zone?”

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

Give me hope Joanna – Eddie Grant (great surname)

Uwe Rosler Dance Now that Lou talked about was quality. However, back in the day we had so many left-field quality terrace songs. Give me goals Isaiah – sung to Eddie Grant’s “Give me Hope Joanna” – was a classic (Give me goals Isaiah .. till the morning come).

Genius line was one verse – “There was a player and his name was Sodje .. he had a bredda wid a ting on his head” (referring to Sam’s brother Efe who wore a bandana when he played)

What position will Brentford finish ?

We’ll surprise a few and finish 6^th I reckon

Jim Levack (@Jimblee1) – Fleet Street Hack/Podcast Guest
Resides: Ealing Road

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season? 

A season of two halves really. Upheaval, recriminations and rifts at the start. Consolidation and progess towards the end.

The highlight for me was the appointment of Dean Smith. Sports journalists I’ve worked with on the Birmingham Mail couldn’t speak highly enough of him and I knew – and dare I say it, predicted – that he’d be good for us, given time.

Unfortunately, there was a lot of knee jerking going on last season and normally calm people were calling for his head before he’d even signed a single player (Since when was Liberal Nick ever calm? – Ed).

Rangers at home was a bit special – thank you Marco – but there were plenty of other gems among the dust.

I was delighted to see Ryan Woods emerge as one of the best young players I’ve seen at Griffin Park… moreso when he hammered that goal home at Reading. Then there was the Canos goal.

The low for me came when we failed to strengthen in the window because I felt it sent out a clear message that we weren’t going to be challenging that season. But then the football people at the club obviously had their reasons. 

What are your thoughts for this season?

This season’s mantra is far more realistic with far less potential for PR disaster than the Big New Ambitions slogan. I think it shows that people within the club are learning from their mistakes – not a bad motto for life.

As I write, Matthew Benham has just sent a personalised email to my season ticket holder son – another nice touch that I believe sets us apart from many of the faceless and arrogant clubs in England.

I’ve been delighted with the signings so far – all of whom look like low-risk captures with good knowledge of the English game with a potential to step easily up to the next level. Dean Smith has a habit of making shrewd summer signings and in the technically strong Sawyers and uncompromising Egan, he has succeeded again.

Disappointing to have to let the likes of Button and Bidwell go, but I’d always prefer to have players who actually want to be at the club rather than those casting an eye elsewhere for a few extra quid whether guided by unscrupulous agents or otherwise.

Clearly there are still several gaps to fill. With a left back, winger and possibly even a striker priorities, but I have every confidence the club is working hard to address those gaps.

This season needs every supporter to forget the disagreements of last time out and pull together. If we get off to a decent start that will help, and if we retain the momentum from the end of last season I’m putting my money on a fourth or fifth place finish. That said, get in the top eight by April and there’s no reason why automatic isn’t achievable – after all, look at Leicester.

This campaign will feel different now most of the new foreign lads have had a chance to bed in. At the tail end of last term players like Kerschbaumer were starting to show glimpses of why they were signed.

Stability is the key this time round – and we have it, which should give us the edge over a lot of bigger spending sides where expectation is huge.

Funniest moment of last season (on or off pitch): 

I think that initially it was hearing that good friend and Bees fan Paul Slattery was at the centre of ‘Wheelie-bin Gate’ – in which a group of local protestors piled a load of wheelie bins in front of a local councillor’s door – a saga which saw him arrested.

Not unnaturally (and not knowing the facts), we found it pretty funny – no, hilarious – to start with, but it quickly became apparent that this was no joke.

What followed was a seven-month saga which demonstrated the bad and the ugly side of local policing and political string-pulling by a councilor who should have known better.

In the end, common sense prevailed – on the eve of the court case – but it was as if the powers that be had collaborated to teach Mr Slattery a lesson, something you just don’t expect to happen in this day and age.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

I think he’s already out of the bottle. An owner who wants to build a future for the club that is totally sustainable, and who we can trust.

If I could have a little bit extra I’d ask for the genie to make Griffin Park just that little bit bigger so we could stay and develop the place.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Ray Winston. He could free up Peter Gilham on matchdays and would scare the sh!t out of the opposition. His team talks would be quite interesting too.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember? 

There have been a lot of little gems, but I do love it when ‘Mr Posh’ Liberal Nick Carthew interjects, is roundly shouted down and begins blustering, political-style… always makes me smile even if he does come out with some pretty astute analysis occasionally. That said his criticism of Dean Smith was proved to be hopelessly wide of the mark – but again in true political style he’ll probably deny ever having said it.

Video-wise, it has to be the Bristol City fan and Blackpool lamp-post man plus sound effects though.

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season? 

What will Brentford FC look like in 50 years time?

To be discussed only after five or six pints (two for Laney!). I just think it might throw up some interesting stuff.

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why: 

It’s always London Calling by the Clash or Tied up too Tight by Hard Fi for me. Because I live oop north (just past Warwick services) any mention of the River or Great West Road always reminds me of my roots.

What position will Brentford finish?

4th. Aim low and you won’t strive.

Ian Westbrook (@IanWestbrook)  – Match Preview Writer/Podcast guest
Resides: Braemar Road (still call it Block D even though it’s now known as B304)

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

Rollercoaster ride but despite the worrying bits I’m still living the dream of being in the Championship and all it entails – playing big clubs, international breaks etc

Very happy with ninth place which is a fair summary of our season.

What are your thoughts for this season?

Mood in camp seems good and we’ve made some decent signings. Not sure I totally agree with selling players with a year to go who won’t re-sign although I understand why club do it.

Optimistic for top half finish and possible play-off flirtation. Would love two good cup runs too.

Best moment of last season

Forest away and the relief of a win that we knew would make us safe.

Worst moment  of last season

Blackburn home – I thought we were going down.

Funniest moment of last season

Bolton fans to Lasse Vibe – you’re just a sh!t Andy Carroll and his Twitter response after his two goals.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

To be able to turn Griffin Park into what Lionel Road will be so we didn’t have to move.

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebritywho would it be and why?

Baldrick from Blackadder because he’d always have a cunning plan.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

 Listened to all of them but funniest moment doesn’t spring to mind sorry! (Maybe we’re just not funny – Ed)

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season? 

Next March, whether Scott Hogan can progress from his 25-goal total to 30 before the end of the season!

Also, I would like to know how the podcast crew became Bees fans. First game etc

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

The Power Game

https://youtu.be/J4F_AS72TkA

Boring choice but I still remember it from my first game and for many years afterwards

What position will Brentford finish?

9th

Greville (@GrevWaterman) – BFC Talk – Podcast guest
Resides: Braemar Road

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season? 

We ended up about where I both hoped and expected but what journey to get there. The injuries, Pitchgate and murmurings about Marinus’s training methods worried me at the start of the season and we had to throw in too many new foreign and inexperienced players too soon and most of them sank without trace.  Praise be to Lee Carsley who restored the smiles to our faces and gave us the fillip and impetus we needed. All looked good under Dean Smith until the new year when Armageddon struck and we went into freefall. Finally the Gods smiled down on us (thanks Kelvin Wilson!) and all ended well.

What are your thoughts for this season?

Who knows. We have recruited well but so far not broadly enough and as usual we will be competing on an uneven playing field against teams buttressed with massive Parachute payments or foreign investment. Just to survive would be good but I hope for a top half finish.

Best moment of last season

Arriving at GP at 7.43pm before the QPR game after 2.5 hour journey from hell on North Circular and being certain I would miss the game

Worst moment of last season

Infighting between Brentford fans when it all went tits up and the abuse of our players at QPR

Funniest moment of last season 

Everyone around me at Charlton (me included) stating confidently it was Djuricin who had scored at Charlton and not Swift

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

The ability to remain at Griffin Park but still earn sufficient to enable us to compete with the rest of the Championship

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Bradley Walsh. He loves Brentford, would have given anything to have actually played a Football league match and would keep the players happy and loose

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast or video moment you remember?

Listening to fans of other clubs continue to patronise and underestimate us

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

How we can maintain a serious promotion push given our lack of resources

If you could choose any topic to discuss on the podcast what would it be. And why?

Raised expectations and feelings of entitlement by the new breed of Bees fans and what they have missed over the years

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

The Power Game

This track reminds me of the best parts of being a kid

What position will Brentford finish?

11th, it is going to be a massively competitive season with so many clubs splashing the cash and we will do brilliantly to remain in the top half.

Paul Grimes (Grimesy/ RoyalOakBee) – Podcast Guest
Resides: Braemar Block B

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

Slow start resurgence under Carsley. Then Smith had a slow start and a resurgence of his own. Both resurgences coincidentally happened on the blind side of an international break.

What are your thoughts for this season?

No better than last unfortunately but hope springs eternal

Staff. Time of writing we have a weaker squad than this time last year.

Vibe. The mood is upbeat as you would hope and expect but I have not renewed my season ticket….yet

Transfers. Good replacements for experienced players lost. If they step up and we add three more then who knows

Manager. Jury is out. But he bought himself time with that finish last season.

Management team. Too many of them and now they have added Andy Scott (Shock, horror, nepotism. Very disappointed).

Supporters. Still the same eclectic mix.

Competition: We have last year’s top ten as competition plus the relegated teams who I am backing to ALL go back up at first time of asking.

Best moment of last season

My daughter being mascot for the victory over Fulham

Worst moment of last season

Losing away to the RaRas (QPR that is)

Funniest moment of last season 

Pitchgate (when Brentford opened the season with a pitch that was quite literally falling apart). You couldn’t write it

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

The ability to improve Griffin Park to hold 25k again and get a 7 day usage

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Peter Kay to add humour and the ability to spot and sign a central midfield holding player who can ‘AV IT!

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

Being the new boy my first podcast was most enjoyable at The Pilot Chiswick

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

Each of our new signings

If you could choose any topic to discuss on the podcast what would it be. And why?

Andy Scott – Why the love vibe? Just how good is his knowledge of South East non-league football and does he now have unrivalled knowledge of Premier Academies to such an extent that he was the outstanding candidate for the job or was he the ONLY candidate? Who else applied? If we were the selection panel, would we have chosen him above the others?

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

I loved the “RawHide” Martin Rowlands tune and “Best right back in history” for Danny Boxall ripped from The Flinstones ditty.

What position will Brentford finish?

13th

Jon Restall (@thecondorman) – Beesotted writer/match day tweets
Resides: Ealing Road, innit

What are your thoughts on Brentford’s last season?

It felt like the season I had expected the year before – lots of difficulty followed by a top half finish.  There were a couple of times when things felt really bleak, but we turned it around, and over the last few weeks of the season our players finally blended into a match winning team. Alan Judge was magnificent for us last year, our stand-out player by a mile, but our overall shape looked better after his injury – which is food for thought.

What are your thoughts for this season?

The new signings look good on paper and should improve the squad, I’m hoping that Sawyers adds some creative guile which was lacking at times last term. I’m hoping above all else that we keep Bjelland, Hogan and McLeod fit – they will be like three brilliant new signings.  Hopefully the “bigger” (sic) teams will continue to underestimate us and lose, I wouldn’t bet against three points at Villa Park for example

Best moment of last season

It has to be the Djuricin goal against QPR, right in front of me. It exorcised a lot of demons personally. particularly that shit header by Marc McCammon at Loftus Road. Being 3-0 up against Fulham after 20 odd minutes was also very enjoyable, bless them.

Worst moment of last season

Things felt really bleak after the home loss to ten man Blackburn, which had quickly followed the QPR debacle and defeats to Rotherham and Charlton.  It was hard to see where another win would come from. Fortunately it came a few days later with Vibe’s persistence and goal at Forest – I know many fans saw this as a turning point.

Funniest moment of last season 

I thoroughly enjoyed the high pitched taunting of Huddersfield’s Fat Harry Bunn. I also really enjoyed the 96th minute Hoff winner against Forest which took three deflections past a desperate sad-looking hapless visiting keeper.  A proper goal.

If we unearthed a genie that gave you one wish for Brentford, what would that be?

I would wish for the monorail that we have dreamed of for so many years to finally become a reality

If Dean Smith was given an executive role overseeing coaching and you were employed to bring in a head coach who’s one qualification was being a celebrity who would it be and why?

Jet from TV’s Gladiators – guile, glamour, athleticism and ruthless efficiency in the danger zone.  Younger readers may need to google her. I still google her too sometimes.

What was your favourite or the funniest podcast moment you remember?

I like the recurring “informer” musical joke. It makes me laugh every time. I enjoyed in person a healthy discussion about bearded footballers pre-season around the time we sold Stuart Dallas. The other stand out moment was people finding out that Carsley didn’t want the job live on air.

What topic do you most look forward to discussing over a pint this season?

I’m hoping we can start thinking about Lionel Road – how we make it a special ground like Griffin park, how we create an intimidating/supportive atmosphere etc

Name a tune that reminds you of a Brentford moment and why

Rasputin by Boney M – my favourite Brentford song that didn’t catch on – lyrics “Ra-Ra-Robert Quinn”.  Myself and the Youngman tried to get it started several time to generally bemused looks, both within Griffin Park and the Boulevard Nightclub in Ealing. I also still sing “Benny B” (Big Ben Burgess) if I hear Let it Be by the Beatles. Basically I’m a very sad man.

What position will Brentford finish?

I think we will finish 10th.  But we might finish 4th.