Beesotted contributor, Jim Levack, looks back at a memorable afternoon down by the river in Fulham.
A well-known Bees fan who shall remain nameless approached me around an hour before yesterday’s demolition of Fulham, with some words of warning.
He’s a bloke normally renowned for his indefatigable optimism so when he suggested “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. It’s a bit like the Wembley build-up,” it did slightly dampen my mood.
A pint later though and I was back in the game, telling anyone who’d listen that I’d have taken 21st place at the start of the season so anything we achieve now is dreamland.
I personally don’t mind admitting that I haven’t given the play offs or so called promised land of the Premier League much thought.
A large part of that is because I’ve been enjoying the incredible football we’ve been playing so much that it’s been a joy to watch almost every game this season, sometimes irrespective of the result.
But the mystery individual’s apprehension did come back to me as I walked the dog the morning after the unforgettable afternoon before.
It got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, the rout of our neighbours down the river marked a watershed in the history of our club.
It also got me thinking – “again!” I hear the Beesotted boys shout – about the utter absurdity of Mark Warburton’s imminent departure, but that’s one for another day.
Make no mistake, yesterday’s was a landmark win because, although it was just another three points, it underlined the fact that if we reach our levels as a club we can beat anyone.
The decision to create a singing area proved inspirational, with the wave upon wave of sound sweeping across the Putney End so loud that shoppers on the Kings Road must have heard it.
Mark Devlin’s tweet that it may not be repeated because of the “poor experience” for some fans is a shame and should at least be an issue for further ‘safe standing’ dialogue or exploration. There’s a good opportunity for the club to be innovative and brave on this issue.
On the pitch there were a few hairy moments, proof if any were needed that it ‘s sometimes a thin line between winning and losing. If Matt Smith’s lob finds the net, it’s a different game.
But this Brentford squad is, above all, comfortable with each other, confident on the ball, technically gifted and monitored by the performance department to within an inch of their lives.
Because of that I didn’t share the pre-match reservations of that fan because we now have players – and yes, a management team – that isn’t built on a fragile foundation thanks to Matthew Benham’s vision.
Quite simply, I now know that if we play like we can, we can go toe to toe with any side, and yes I’d include bottom half Premier League outfits in that.
Bees fans, and I include myself, have long had an endearing, inferiority complex built deep into our psyche. That changed yesterday.
“Fulham are you listening” rang out the chant – you know the rest of the lyrics – and it was sung with a clarity and resonance that suggested the balance of power is firmly tipping our way now.
As the 6,200 Brentford fans headed for home smiling through the rain, there was a dream-like quality to a day which will live long in all our memories and one which – like Orient last season went a long way to ending our ‘big game bottlers’ tag for good.
The name Brentford is now no longer preceded by ‘little old’ but by ‘progressive’ –and here’s the best bit, our close-knit family of fans will always be down to earth and humble because of what has gone before.
It’s a lesson that could be learned by the press team at struggling Fulham, whose amateurish and churlish website match report showed little humility and was laced with bitterness, making it the perfect Saturday morning read for all Bees fans.
Apparently Dallas’s goals were the result of poor pressing, the hosts were denied a “stonewall” spot kick (best not mention the one they did get then), every Brentford effort that missed was “miles over”, every Bees tackle was “crude” or “cynical”. Wonderful stuff if you’re of a red and white persuasion.
Whatever happens over the next six games and beyond, yesterday showed we are playing with a freedom and lack of pressure that only being the rank outsiders can bring.
So my advice to that bloke in the pub is relax, enjoy the ride and see what happens because whatever happens it’s been the best season ever to be a Bee.
Jim Levack
* PS – Will the bloke in the pub reveal himself below? Let’s see.
“The best season ever to be a Bee” – how right you are Jim. I keep telling my 10 year old son – it’s not normally like this following Brentford – well it hasn’t been for the 40 years I’ve going anyway!
I couldn’t agree more. The best we’ve ever known.
A very well written piece.
Jim,
Absolutely right on the button again, but what if Warbs, David Weir and crew take over at Fulham in June. We will witness what could have been the dynasty at Brentford happening just down the river – then we will see plenty more churlish comments hurtling from Craven Cottage, and they really will hurt.
I just do not understand when a team has been build so well, so carefully and possesses enormous upside why anyone would cast aside with no obvious replacement, yet disclosed, the very on field management team that got Brentford to where it is today.
We have a Chairman that regularly talks about Arsenal in his interviews and comments – do we as true Brentford supporters care anything or indeed have any interest in knowing anything about Arsenal – I think not. In the most recent interview I read the Chairman spoke more about Arsenal than about losing Warbs and his team, was vague about who will take over and when, let alone about how on earth Brentford will plan for on field next season with,as yet, no apparent leader about to be appointed. How does Brentford plan to stay in the Premier League if promoted and if not, how does Brentford plan to gain promotion next season. Surely these are the key issues right now (after the next six matches).
We can bask in the glory of a wonderful victory over Fulham, but football can be cruel and roles could be so easily reversed next season if our Arsenal admiring Chairman and Benham have got it wrong.
I have seen plenty of strange decisions during the 60+ years supporting Brentford but this one is baffling, particularly when the playing group is almost certainly the best during the 125 year history of Brentford.
It really is Easter, so lets hope Benham and the Chairman can pull an outstanding rabbit out of the hat for the future of Brentford.
Interesting comments David, I think Mark Warburton’s replacement could be………..Mark Warburton !! Fridays game was right up there as one of the greatest away days in my 46 years as a supporter ( Peterborough 92 was a bit special) but one of the most significant observations I made was Warbs highly passionate fist pump as he walk off the pitch. If we made the Premier League at the end of this brilliant season would he be to just walk away from the club ! I personally don,t think so.