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This was a game of two halves – albeit two uneven halves – the first one lasting 5 minutes … and the second lasting a gruelling 85 (for Bees fans anyway).

With Dean Smith deciding to try out a few new options – Yennaris pushing up into a midfield with Kerschbaumer making a re-appearance and Sergo Canos getting a start – it will be hard for anyone to really ascertain how Barbet’s dubious sending off after 5 minutes will have influenced the final result.

There’s no doubt the sending off killed game for the Bees. But was a loss against Wednesday on the cards regardless?

Heads went down and it took only another 7 minutes before Forestieri put Wednesday in the lead.

To be fair to the Bees, they started brightly. Yennaris was played through by Judge in the 1st minute and his half-chance was collected by Wednesday keeper Westwood. Yennaris returned the favour a few minutes later laying off Judge who pulled a great save from Westwood.

But ironically, it was an attacking move from the Bees that turned the game on it’s head.

An Alan Judge run into the area breaks down and it was a route-one hoof to Hooper in the Bees’ half who seemed to fall over on the edge of the penalty area with Barbet in close proximity.

Was it a foul?

We were unable to tell from the away end.

But reports all over seemed to indicate that Hooper had ‘fallen over’ with Brentford manager Dean Smith accusing him of ‘going down easily’ in the post-match press conference before then suggesting the referee had guessed the sending off decision.

From there on in, Brentford were on the back foot.

But even though the team was down to 10 men, there has to be big question marks asked about the defending.

First of all, the Bees were caught hopping trying to defend the ‘ball over the top’ for the sending off.

Forestieri then got a free header in for Wednesday’s first goal after the ball was lobbed-deflected into the area.

Wednesday’s second goal was route one yet again. Keeper Westwood hoofing the ball upfield to Hooper who gave it bounce before hitting the back of the net from 25 yards. He didn’t even really need to avoid a challenge.

The third goal was yet another hopeful long ball into the box to Hooper who won the header and laid off Kieran Lee who beat the defender before scrambling the ball home.

We don’t feel we are being too harsh criticising the defending. Dean Smith labelled it as “inexcusable”.

But it wasn’t only the defending that was at fault. There is also something lacking somewhat in the midfield. No bite. No midfield general.

And upfront. “Could be better” is probably the best way of describing it.

But what was more worrying is the Bees’ usual passion seems to be missing. We would always see ourselves fighting back from any situation. Remember Watford last season when we went down to 10 men? We actually look like a better team. Went 1-0 up. And were unlucky to lose the game at the death. Now … we seem to lack the fight. It’s like the players have given up.

And for the fans who had paid a ridiculously expensive £36 entry to Hillsborough, not to mention the cost of transport plus more, they expect more. Much much more.

Typical gallows humour saw the left field songs wafting from the away terrace. “We sing what we want. We sing what we want. Unless it’s got too many syllables. We’ll sing what we want”. And to be fair, there was one hell of a post-match party in Riverside Bar after the game which was, as you can see from the above video, filled with stars from The Apprentice … bloggers and dogs – with resigned Bees fans and elated Wednesday fans having a bit of a knees up.

But it wasn’t all down in the dumps for the Bees. There was glimmer of light in and amongst the numerous dark shadows. Bees played good football in patches and had one or two good opportunities to reduce the deficit.

Nico Yennaris had a decent game in midfield and David Button did his upmost to keep the score down to 4 with a couple of excellent saves – although he would be disappointed he allowed Joao’s shot to fly past him in the final minute.

However, the truth is Wednesday really didn’t get out of 2nd gear in the second half. And it was glaringly obvious that the Yorkshire team had more of a cutting edge in front of goal than The Bees.

We (and we say “we” coz we’re all in this together) have scored 14 and conceded 22 goals in the last 2 months – a slightly worrying downturn in form it has to be said.

Fans speaking on the Pride of West London podcast (above) from the pub after the match were quick to point out that Brentford were not safe from relegation. Some fans were wondering where the next point was to come from. Even the Charlton game in a few weeks time – a dead banker for 3 points a few weeks ago – could end up becoming a bottom of the table six-pointer if the Bees’ poor form continues until March.

Derby come to town next Saturday. After sacking Paul Clement – a manager on the Bees’ radar at the beginning of the season – they are a team who are well and truly there for the taking.

We say this every week. But this will be a real tester as to where we are. Brentford are still to beat a team above us in the league.

Derby a team in free-fall out of the playoffs. If we can’t take three points from this lot next week we might as well really give up for the season.

Billy Grant
@BillyTheBee99