Brentford’s 7-2 win against bottom of the league Wycombe Wanderers is a real statement of intent to the rest of the Championship.
The demolition job means Brentford’s Championship push sees them climb to third in the table. If the Bees win their game in hand, they will move into the automatic promotion places.
Brentford’s Championship Push Continues
Consistency
In August, Brentford fell one game short of Premier League football. Defeat at Wembley in the play-off final meant Brentford’s Premier League dream was lost for at least another season.
Defeat to Fulham meant since 1990, Brentford has failed in all eight of their play-off campaigns. Their play-off form follows a trend the Bees will want to put right.
However, considering Brentford are surrounded by teams familiar with achieving promotion to the Premier League with sides like Norwich, Swansea, Reading, Watford, and Bournemouth all in contention. Building on their momentum could see them break away from the pack, helping the Bees avoid the playoffs altogether.
Brentford walked the path of promotion in the 2013-14 season. A return of 94 points earned them second place in League 1. The season before, Brentford suffered a similar fate to the play-off final in the summer. With a 2-1 defeat to Yeovil Town.
The underlying theme dictates that while Brentford might not perform well in the high stakes play-offs, the Bees show a relentless consistency to not just play well across the length of a season, but to gradually increase momentum year after year.
While Thomas Frank’s side has had their fair share of promotion blunders; their consistency will no doubt eventually earn them the reward of promotion. With this season being a better chance than ever for the Bees to make it to the Premier League.
Transfer Policy
There’s an obvious pitfall of failing to secure promotion to the Premier League. The Bees have lost players and managers who are ready to challenge at the next level.
Dean Smith was Brentford’s manager for three years. Before taking charge at Aston Villa. Smith won promotion to the Premier League, while narrowly avoiding relegation the following year. This came at the expense of Brentford’s Championship rivals, Watford.
Aston Villa came after Brentford again. After Ollie Watkins scored 26 goals in the Championship last season, the striker followed his former boss for a price of £28 million.
The 25-year-old was signed to provide Aston Villa with more attacking options and certainly earned his price tag when he scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in October, helping Aston Villa to beat the Premier League champions 7-2.
Therefore, Brentford’s ability to sustain consistent form while regularly losing their best players is a credit to the club. Brentford’s transfer policy of buying low and selling high has made them a financially secure club.
However, Brentford’s transfer model might not work in the Premier League. With lower league clubs aware of the money to be made from selling players to a Premier League club.
Can Brentford Compete in the Premier League?
Brentford is the only team among their Championship promotion rivals to have not played in the Premier League.
Therefore, Brentford could potentially last one season in the Premier League. However, Brentford has shown promise against Premier League opposition in the Carabao Cup. The Bees recorded wins against Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Newcastle United. Before being knocked out by Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham.
In the summer, a more modern stadium replaced Griffin Park. This gives insight into the positive direction the owners want to take the football club.
Brentford will no doubt admire Leicester City and Leeds United. Teams that have stamped their unique approaches on the Premier League, captivating the fans along the way.
As the Bees have never played in the Premier League. They will have a surprise advantage during their first Premier League campaign. However, Brentford must be aware of a second season drop off. Sheffield United are bottom of the league, after finishing ninth in their first season.
However, Brentford has proven with their transfer policy that they are no strangers to adapting. A trait that will do the Bees no harm if they are to have a run in the Premier League.
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