When Thomas Frank swapped west London for North London in the summer, not many betting sites in Ireland would’ve predicted that former Irish international, Keith Andrews, would become Brentford’s new manager. And for good reason.
Rarely does one’s first managerial position come at a Premier League club, let alone a Premier League club that has seen the spine ripped out of it.
Taking everything into account, it’s no surprise that the Bees were deemed prime relegation candidates by bookies, pundits and fans alike prior to the season getting underway.
However, the negativity around the GTech Community Stadium has lessened somewhat. The early weeks have shown that, despite a summer of upheaval, this is a team capable of remaining a competitive Premier League outfit.
So, were we all a bit hasty in writing off Andrews and Brentford? Quite possibly. Here are four reasons why Brentford and Andrews may prove the doubters wrong.
Growing influence of Jordan Henderson
While there was a queue of players wanting to leave Brentford back in the summer, Jordan Henderson couldn’t get in the building any quicker.
Part of Henderson’s motivation for returning to England after spells in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands was to get back playing in the best league in the world, but, you sense, also to remind people of his qualities, particularly in a World Cup year. And that’s exactly what he has done.
The 35-year-old has been an ever-present in the Bees midfield and was one of the best players on the pitch in Brentford’s draw at home to Chelsea, even providing the assist for Kevin Schade’s strike. His performance in that game earned him praise from all quarters, including, most importantly, the Brentford faithful.
Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying Henderson’s overall quality. His positional play, work off the ball and leadership skills are second to none, and his arrival was just what Brentford needed.
Far bigger problems at Wolves & West Ham
Things seem relatively stable at Brentford compared to what’s going on elsewhere.
The division’s two bottom sides have started the new campaign in shocking form. Wolves, at the time of writing, are yet to win a game, or even a point, while the Hammers may have a win on the board, but they have been equally terrible.
Having overseen some hefty defeats already, Graham Potter may yet pay for a dismal start with his job. But regardless of who manages West Ham, they’re a club in crisis both on and off the pitch and are destined for a season of struggle.
Vitor Pereira could do no wrong at the end of last season as Wolves reeled off six successive wins to secure their Premier League status. But fast forward a few months, and the Portuguese cannot buy a league win.
After selling Matheus Cunha, Wolves look devoid of any quality, and their eight-year stint in the top flight appears to be under serious threat.
Home comforts
The Bees have claimed some notable scalps at the GTech in recent years, with their home form having proved a crucial factor in the club’s success.
Last year was no exception, and there was a point when it seemed Brentford could only perform on home turf; Thomas Frank’s side remained unbeaten at home until December (winning seven of their first eight games), yet only picked up their first away victory in January.
Although we’re only a few games into the season, it feels like the GTech will play an important role again if Brentford are to secure a fifth consecutive season in the Premier League.
Chelsea and Aston Villa (twice) have already experienced how difficult a task it can be to take on Brentford in front of their own fans. It’s unlikely they’ll be the last.
Keith Andrews himself
There are many reasons why Brentford owner Matthew Benham chose to appoint a managerial rookie over bringing in someone more experienced.
For example, promoting from within worked out well last time, and the decision was undoubtedly the cheaper option. Perhaps, though, the key reason was the personal qualities of Keith Andrews, the person.
The Irishman shares similar characteristics to his predecessor, Thomas Frank, in that he is rarely flustered and possesses strong self-belief.
There’s also an air of calmness and assurance about Andrews, which you feel will serve the Dubliner well as he navigates his first season as a manager and looks to prove the doubters wrong.
