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We take a look at the numerous fans’ selections for Bees Team Of the Decade and also Worst Bees Team Of The Decade as discussed on the Beesotted Xmas Special Podcast (link below)

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
As voted By over 5k Brentford Fans on Twitter

It’s always difficult to get a balanced team selection based on a poll as team selections are much more fluid. What players are bracketed together in the final four of each category makes a huge difference on what team finally comes out the other end.

And with this fans-chosen Brentford team of the decade, there were always going to questions asked as to why certain players never made the grade.

Lee, Dalsgaard, Tarkowski, Mepham, Henry, Watkins, Sawyers, Woods, Jota, Benrahma, Maupay

Brentford Team of The Decade 2010-2019 Voted by Bees Fans. Over 5k votes recorded. No loanees or summer 2019 signings.

Firstly. A decision was made to not allow any loanees in the team. The team had to be Brentford signed players only. So players like Wojciech Szczęsny and Alex Pritchard were immediately barred from entering the field.

Then it was decided to also not allow players who were signed in Summer 2019 to enter. The reality is this new batch of Bees are – and certainly will be – some of the most talented players ever to ever play for the club. The reality is – seven or eight of the current Brentford team would make team of the decade if you were looking at it strictly on the players’ ability.

Trying to do a like-for-like between mid-to-upper table Division 1 or Championship players and Championship playoff contenders is not really realistic.

Some of these newly-signed players – Pontus Jansson. David Raya. Possibly Brian Mbuemo – would have made the four-player voting shortlist. And may have even won the polling – having played less than 23 matches in four months at the club. This would would negate the contribution many other players have made to Brentford’s rise this decade.

The thinking is – if these players go on to fulfil their potential, they will feature in Brentford’s next Team Of The Decade

In the voting, some positions were very close. When it came to the goalkeepers, Richard Lee (31%) narrowly pipped David Button (29%) and Dan Bentley (26%) to the gloves.

Whereas fullbacks were a lot clearer – right back Henrick Dalsgaard (42%) beat Kev O’Connor into 2nd place (17%) and Rico Henry (78%) was streets ahead of Jake Bidwell (13%) in 2nd place for left back.

The centre back positions caused a bit of controversy with James Tarkowski (39%) – as unpopular as he was for forcing his way out of the club by allegedly going on strike – and Chris Mepham (36%) clearly winning the popularity poll over promotion-winners Tony Craig (13%) and Harlee Dean (12%).

Saying that, Craig featuring a lot more in Bees fans’ personal Teams Of The Decade as you will see below

Romaine Sawyers (73%) was clear favourite ahead of Adam Forshaw (17%) and Jonathon Douglas (9%) in midfield. Whereas it was interesting to see Toumani Diagouraga (24%) come in second behind Ryan Woods (57%) for the defensive midfield position.

Neal Maupay (83%) was also a clear winner for the forward position – knocking Andre Gray, Scott Hogan and Clayton Donaldson into single figures.

Ollie Watkins 84% came out top on left wing whereas Jota (76%) beat Sergi Canos (14%) and Sam Saunders (9%) on the right wing.

And possibly the most difficult pair-up was putting Said Benrahma up against Alan Judge – who was crucial to Bees’ success mid decade – Said polling 71% of the votes against 27% for Judge.

Next we look at some of the fan selections for team of the decade. And also worst Bees  team of the decade

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Edward the Headwood

Lee, McCormack, Craig, Tarkowski, Henry, Jota, Woods, Sawyers, Toumani, Benrhama, Maupay.

Edwood Headwood Bees Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

McCormacks experience, leadership, aggression brings a bit more bite to the team. Toumani brings in some leggy tackling and breaking up play in midfield. My little ginger general Woods spraying the ball around.

I feel this team has enough blend of skill, attitude and drive.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Gerry the Cabbie

Button, Dalsgaard, Egan, Tarkowski, Henry, Douglas , Judge , Sawyers , Jota, Benrahma , Maupay

Gerry The Cabbie. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

I had to put Dougie in as he had a huge influence on us and Brentford’s young team sorely missed his leadership after he left. Keeper-wise it was a toss up as all had their flaws. But Button provided two of the best saves I’ve ever seen live at a match.

Best Team of the Season with Loanees but not Summer 2019 signings
Ali Mullalley

Wojciech Szczęsny, Logan, Tarkowski , Mepham, Rico, Jota, Woods, Sawyers, Judge, Pritchard, Hogan

Ali Mullalley. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (inc loanees but no summer 2019 signings)

With loanees allowed in this team, Scezney pushes out Lee in goal. Pritchard is still the best player ever to wear the Brentford shirt, so unfortunately Ollie Watkins makes way.

I was very tempted to put Trotta in as that was proper zero to hero stuff. But Hogan was just deadly so keeps his spot.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Billy Grant

Lee, Colin, Henry, Craig, Tarkowski, Sawyers, Woods, Jota, Maupay, Judge, Benrahma

Billy Grant. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

I tried hard to separate what the heart felt with what the head felt here. As a result, Richard Lee got the goalie gloves. Cup tie winning penalty saves against Everton and Charlton. And he was the goalie who Uwe Rosler put between the sticks as the Brentford revolution commenced. Technically not as good as Button, Bentley or Moore but he was there when it all started.

Maxime Colin – a classy right back who left Brentford far too early. Sawyers and Woods – again class. Jota – a heart and a head player. A player who Bees fans absolutely loved.

Maupay – Brentford’s deadliest striker in my books.

The toughest decision – Ollie Watkins unluckily loses out although – in principal – he would walk into any Top Six Championship side.  The competition was tough and Alan Judge was such a key player for Brentford for so many years. The heart (rather than the head) says it wouldn’t be fair to leave him out. I’ll make Ollie my first player in my Brentford Team of The Decade 2020-2029.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Cham DeSilva

Button, Dalsgaard , Mepham, Tarkowski, Henry, Toums, Sawyers, Judge, Jota, Benrahma, Maupay

Cham De Silva. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

Button edges out Moore and Bentley by being more consistent and reliable. Henry is slightly better than Bidwell due to his mobility and potential.

Mepham and Tarkowski were very adept at Championship level and are playing regularly in the Premier League. Judge had the best ever individual season in 2015/16 and carried the team for much of it.  The front three of Jota, Benrahma and Maupay would shred most Championship defences.

Best Team of the Season with Summer 2019 signings and loanees
Katie Bee Graham

Wojciech Szczęsny, Dalsgaard , Jansson, Tarkowski, Henry, Diagouraga, Sawyers, Benrahma, Saunders, Maupay, Watkins

Katie Bee Graham. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (loanees AND summer 2019 signings allowed)

Wonderkind Szczęsny in goal – obviously.

Diagouraga and Sawyers in midfield – Toumani for the way he stepped up during that 2014-2015 season and Romaine for his creativity and his defence splitting passes.

Then it’s Saunders over Jota or Canos, because he feels so integral to our climb through the leagues. 

Brentford worst team of the decade

Jon Restall

Bonham, Javi Venta, Marcel Eger, R.Neilson, Scotty Barron, N.Adams, Josh McEachran, K.Hudson, Kabba, Paul Hayes, Big Nick Proschwitz

Jon Condorman Restall. Brentford worst team of the season 2010-2019

The bench (a big one): Chris Bush, Niall McGinn, Jan Holdack, Lewis MacLeod, Antonio German, Justin Shaibu, Marco Djuricin, Luke Norris

There’s a bit of positional flexibility but you’ve got the dead ball specialist – Williams – who ended up in futsal. A player whose only qualification seemed to be the words ‘former Liverpool Champions League player’, a few ‘early Benham signings’ that didn’t quite fit in. And Betinho only escaping by being a loanee.

I do feel for Bonham. But…..

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Ian Westbrook

Button, Dalsgaard, Henry, Craig, Dean, Douglas. Sawyers, Judge, Watkins, Maupay, Jota

Ian Westbrook. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

A very hard choice and hard to leave out people like Ryan Woods and Clayton Donaldson but I’ve gone for players who made biggest impact in their era. Button, Craig, Dean and Dougie were integral to promotion-winning team. Sawyers, Maupay and Jota all geniuses. Dalsgaard, Henry and Watkins key now.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
xG Dave Anderson

Bentley, Dalsgaard, Dean, Craig, Henry, Woods, Sawyers, Judge, Jota, Benrahma, Maupay

xG Dave Anderson. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

Bentley – before his game was deconstructed – was wiry and instinctive and when others would be well beaten he was capable of the sublime.

Craig was a gritty leader A head where it hurt defender who could also play with the ball at his feet. Vital experience from higher levels and he disseminated that knowledge across the squad bringing with him the defensive mindset Jansson adds the side today.

Dalsgaard. The guy went deep in a World Cup. So consistent and quietly has become one of our most important players.

The attack almost picks itself. Genius combined with attitude and industry.

Sawyers and Woods were the glue, Maupay the ruthless and nasty striker, Judge with his constant urge to take responsibility onto his broad shoulders and then Jota, effortlessly destroying all on rushers. He created a feeling across the fanbase that was, and still is, hard to describe.

Benrahma is a wizard and on another planet, possibly taken for granted due to fans seeing Jota terrorise and lay the path before him.

What a bunch, what a decade.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Tony Ryan

David Button, Henrick Dalsgaard, Rico Henry, Chris Mepham, James Tarkowski, Ryan Woods, Romaine Sawyers, Alan Judge, Behnrhama, Maupay, Watkins

 

Tony Ryan. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

I found this to be a lot harder than I anticipated, it kept a good few of us busy in the pub post Fulham. Button got the keeper’s gig based on one good season from Bentley for me (although Raya will trump both in time).

Two full backs were relatively easy with Dalsgaard v Colin the only contest – Dalsgaard improving all the time for me and would be my captain.

Can’t put Dean in at centre back. Ten times better my arse. I struggled with putting Tarky  in but I guess he has the talent over Egan (just). Pontus would obviously walk in here.

Woods my only real emotional pick. Linked up play and can happily turn both ways with men on. The rest was pretty obvious, Hogan was direct but Maupay was a much better player. Gray was good but not good enough. Ollie was a no brainer . I said he would never make a Centre Forward. I was wrong.

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Ken Cheshire Bee

Button, Dalsgard Mepham Tarky Henry, Woods Douglas Sawyers, Judge Maupay Jota

Ken Cheshire Bee. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

The back four are  probably the most naturally gifted and best Brentford type fit.

Douglas was our last midfield enforcer and also scored goals.

Woods and Sawyers started the total football we play.

I put Judge and Jota ahead of Saïd purely on the time they played and the amount of games they changed single handed. But Said would be my first sub

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
Gemma Teale

Moore, O’Connor, Craig, Tarkowski, Henry, Benrahma, Diagouraga. Sawyers. Canos or Saunders – I can’t choose. Maupay

Gemma Teale. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (inc loanees but no summer 2019 signings)

More of a ‘from the heart’ selection from Gemma emphasising the contribution key players have made over the years with O’Connor, Diagouraga and Saunders featuring. Moore kets the nod over promotion-winning Button in goal. Sam Saunders battles it out with Sergi Canos for the right wing spot .

Brentford worst team of the decade

Nick Bruzon

Bonham, Wright, Calvet, Eger, Barron, McEachran, German, Williams, Gogia, Ogbene, Proschwitz

Nick Bruzon. Worst Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019

Team of the Season with Summer 2019 signings but no loanees
Marvellous Matt Knight

David Raya, Moses Odubajo, Rico Henry 2016, James Tarkowski, Chris Mepham, Ryan Woods, Jota, Alan Judge, Romaine Sawyers (Captain), Neil Maupay, Said Benerahma

 

Marvellous Matt Knight. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees but summer 2019 signings included)

Best Team of the Decade – No Loanees. No Summer 2019 signings
JayOhl 

Button, Alan McCormack, Dalsgaard, Dean, Tarkowski, Sammy Saunders, Benrahma, Douglas, Sawyers, Jota, Maupay

JayOhl. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees or summer 2019 signings)

Best Team of the Season with Summer 2019 signings but no loanees
Matt The Allard Allard

Matt The Allard. Brentford Team of the Decade 2010-2019 (no loanees but summer 2019 signings allowed)

Moore, Dalsgaard, Mepham, Pontus, Henry, Douglas, Mokotjo, Sawyers, Jota, Benrahma, Gray

Brentford worst team of the decade

Greville Waterman

Simon Royce, Micky Spillane, Marcel Eger, David McCracken, Stephen Wright, Kirk Hudson, Cleveland Taylor, Martin Fillo, Nick Proschwitz, Paul Hayes, Will Grigg Sub Philipp Hofmann

Greville Waterman. Brentford Worst Team of the Decade. 2010-2019

Brentford worst team of the decade

Cham De Silva

Bonham. Barron, Nugent, Calvet, Spilliane, Gogia, Tebar, Ryan Williams, Cleveland Taylor , Big Nick Proschwitz, Philipp Hoffman

 

Cham De Silva. Brentford worst team of the season 2010-2019