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Taz.
WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!
Published: Wed 08 Feb 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford will return to Wembley for the second straight season in the Football League Trophy.
The Bees triumphed 3-1 over Stevenage in the second leg of the southern area final at Griffin Park tonight, meaning a 5-1 aggregate win for Gianfranco Zola's side. Brentford were beaten in last year's final at Wembley by Carlisle but Zola's men will have a chance to redeem themselves next month at Wembley. Fellow promotion chasers Sheffield United will be the Bees' opponents after they completed a stunning turnaround against Carlisle in the northern area final. The Blades won 4-1 at Brunton Park to go through 6-4 over the two legs.
Zola's side have seen off Crawley, Colchester, Wycombe, Swindon and now Stevenage on the road to a second consecutive appearance in the final. Supporters were in fine voice as the Bees cruised past their League One rivals and fans will have the chance to bring along some of Griffin Park's atmosphere when they visit Wembley on 25th March. Brentford slipped to a 1-0 defeat in last season's final against Carlisle but captain Kevin O'Connor insisted that the disappointment of last year would have no bearing on the Bees' chances next month.
"You've got to move on from that sort of thing," the Irishman told the official site after securing the victory. "The club is so much different now to twelve months ago. The boss has really helped us to believe in ourselves and I think we can do it. Sheffield United are one of the hardest teams that we've faced this season but there's a reason we're above them in the league. We've got a hard-working bunch of lads and some great individual talent. I can't wait to get back out on that pitch, I just hope it's the only time we're out there this year!"
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Taz.
BRENTFORD 6-1 CARLISLE
Sat 11 Feb - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Paddy Madden scored twice against his former club as Brentford demolished Carlisle.
The Bees captured their biggest win of the season in a stunning display at Griffin Park. A superb performance from Gianfranco Zola's side saw five different players get on the scoresheet. Harry Forrester, Clayton Donaldson and Niall McGinn made it 3-0 going into the break before Madden's brace and a late header from Trevor Trevisan completed the win. Kostadin Dyakov's late effort did little to spoil the visitors' blushes as Greg Abbott's side made the three hundred-mile journey back to Cumbria with red faces.
Forrester was drafted into a more advanced position and the young midfielder capped a brilliant performance with the opener, turning Ludovic Gamboa's cross past Adam Collin in the sixth minute. He then supplied Donaldson with his nineteenth goal of the season, flicking on Jonathan Douglas' pass to allow the striker to drill the ball into the bottom corner. Zola would have been proud of the Bees' third goal, an excellent passing move that saw some superb control from Darryl Westlake and Gamboa and culminated in McGinn driving the ball past Collin.
Donaldson limped off in the first half but the Bees' added strength in depth following the January window was clear as Madden came off the bench to great effect. The young Irishman only arrived at Griffin Park three weeks ago but he grabbed his third goal in a Brentford shirt in the sixty-seventh minute. He gave his former team-mate Lubomir Michalik a torrid time at the back, outpacing the Slovakian defender to poke Gamboa's cross into the back of the net before he claimed his second strike of the afternoon just four minutes later.
Forrester's clever reverse pass freed McGinn but the on-loan Celtic man's effort bounced off the inside of the post. Madden was in the perfect position and calmly rolled the ball over the line. The instrumental Forrester claimed his second assist of the match with nine minutes remaining, stepping up to drift in a corner that was met in the air by Trevisan. Carlisle had endured a punishing game and Dyakov's effort was barely any consolation, the Bulgarian midfielder slotting Peter Murphy's low cross past Richard Lee.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (O'Connor 64), Osborne, Trevisan, Logan - Douglas (Taylor 68), Diagouraga - McGinn, Forrester, Gamboa - Donaldson
(Madden 26).
Substitutes: Moore, Velev.
Taz.
Zola: No word from Newcastle
Gianfranco Zola has laughed off any rumours that he was set to take over at Newcastle.
The Bees head coach was in high spirits after watching his side hammer Carlisle 6-1 at Griffin Park yesterday and addressed previous speculation that he had been approached to replace Alan Pardew at St. James' Park. The Premier League strugglers appointed former Porto and Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas as their new boss yesterday morning but owner Mike Ashley was rumoured to have been chasing the forty five year old should he have failed to reach an agreement with the Europa League-winning coach.
"With games like that, why would I think of leaving?" the former West Ham boss told the Times after Brentford's stunning win. "I never heard a word from Newcastle and I have no intention of going to another club. I am still developing as a coach and Brentford is a good fit for me. We are building something good here, this is a long-term project. I have heard people talk about my contract and make up all sorts of strange things. I'm completely concentrated on the job and we are playing the right way. It's fantastic to watch and I am very happy."
Although Zola's side still trail leaders Preston by six points, Brentford moved eight points clear of third-placed side Sheffield United yesterday afternoon and have confirmed a place at Wembley for next month's Football League Trophy final against the Blades. Villas-Boas will face a decidedly different type of challenge nearly three hundred miles north of Griffin Park after signing a three-year deal with the Magpies. Newcastle have been dogged by rumours of squad unrest and currently lie twentieth in the Premier League, four points from safety.
Taz.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2-3 BRENTFORD
Tues 14 Feb - 19:45 - Hillsborough
Brentford staved off a late fightback from Sheffield Wednesday to secure an impressive away win.
Gianfranco Zola's men were in scintillating form at Hillsborough, racing into a three-goal lead before two late goals from the home side made things close in the final ten minutes. Ludovic Gamboa scored twice and there was a fourth goal in five games for Paddy Madden, who has enjoyed a superb start to life with the Bees. The victory means that Brentford close the gap to leaders Preston to just four points with a game in hand, while defeat for Sheffield United sees the Bees establish a ten-point buffer on third place.
Madden has enjoyed a bright start to life at Griffin Park and the former Carlisle striker looked particularly threatening in the first half. Stefan Velev played a neat ball to the young Irishman and Madden was unlucky to see his effort pushed away by Nicky Weaver after beating two defenders. Playing as the sole striker, Madden linked up well with Gamboa to lay on the opening goal in the sixteenth minute. After collecting Jonathan Douglas' pass, Madden chipped the ball through for Gamboa to race clear and smash the ball into the back of the net.
Gamboa has been lethal on the counter this season and his pace came in good use as Brentford claimed a second goal on the stroke of half time. Douglas lofted the ball forward for Velev, who picked out the onrushing Frenchman at the far post to slam it home. The Bees looked to be on the road to another rout after extending the lead in the forty-ninth minute. Ryan Dickson played the pass of the game from his own half, splitting the defence and releasing Madden. The youngster sprinted clear on goal and calmly slotted the ball past Weaver.
With the words of boss Gareth Southgate no doubt stinging their ears, the hosts were much-improved in the second half and pulled one back through Gary Madine when the striker beat former Owls man Mark Beevers to Julian Bennett's cross. With eight minutes later, an unlikely comeback seemed possible as Clinton Morrison surged forward to drive James O'Connor's ball past Richard Lee. Gianfranco Zola had the Bees stopper to thank in stoppage time as Lee made a fantastic save to deny Morrison's powerful effort and cling onto all three points.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers, Dickson (O'Connor 76) - Douglas (Taylor 82), Netzer - Forrester (Logan 63), Velev, Gamboa - Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Grella.
Taz.
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Taz.
BRENTFORD 2-1 OLDHAM
Sat 18 Feb - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Brentford narrowed the gap to top spot to just a point with a routine victory over Oldham.
The Latics have emerged as play-off contenders following three wins in their last four games but Gianfranco Zola's men made their dominance tell with two second-half goals. Oldham goalkeeper Trevor Carson turned the ball into his own net before Mike Grella claimed his first strike since returning from injury. James Tarkowski headed in a consolation but it could not prevent a third straight league win for the Bees, who capitalised on leaders Preston's defeat against struggling Walsall and now lie just a point behind with a game in hand.
Brentford looked on top in the first half and the Bees were unlucky not to go in ahead at the break. Zola's men made their title-chasing intentions clear in the opening five minutes as Niall McGinn posed a serious threat to the visitors on the right flank. The on-loan Celtic winger forced countryman Carson into a good save before cannoning a header off the crossbar following Paddy Madden's dinked ball across the box. Carson held Stefan Velev's effort before denying Grella with his fingertips after the American striker weaved through the defence.
Darryl Westlake limped off injured to Zola's concern before the Bees finally took the lead in the fifty-ninth minute. McGinn's cross bounced off Jean-Yves M'Voto and Carson fumbled the ball over the line. Grella added a quickfire second, latching onto Velev's volleyed pass to produce an exquisite chipped finish. Madden nearly claimed a third goal in stoppage time when he was sent one-on-one by Philipp Netzer but the final goal of the day arrived in the ninety-fourth minute as Tarkowski nodded Filipe Morais' corner past Richard Lee.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake (Logan 56), Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn (Weston 67), Douglas, Velev (Netzer 74), Forrester - Madden, Grella.
Substitutes: Moore, O'Connor.
Taz.
Zola hopes to punish Preston
Gianfranco Zola has urged Brentford to capitalise on leaders Preston's weekend slip-up.
After two separate postponements, the Bees will finally play their game in hand against Huddersfield tonight. Brentford will return to the top of the League One table with a victory after Preston were beaten 1-0 by relegation battlers Walsall on Saturday. The Italian rallied his side in his pre-match press conference, insisting that the title remained the Bees' ultimate ambition for the season. Huddersfield currently lie sixteenth in the table and a win is sure to boost morale ahead of Zola's side's crucial trip to Preston at the weekend.
"We have to take advantage," the forty five year old said. "Results came together for us at the weekend and we've got a great opportunity to take the lead. We've been waiting a while to play this game. I would always choose to lead rather than chase and the players agree with me. Huddersfield are a solid side that are maybe looking to kickstart their season a little and we have to be careful. We are missing a fair few players but we've got the right mentality throughout the squad and I would expect us to get a good result."
The Bees boss has a mounting injury list and Zola will be missing Darryl Westlake, Trevor Trevisan and Niall McGinn this evening. Westlake sustained a rib injury against Oldham, while Trevisan and McGinn both picked up knocks on Saturday and are unlikely to make an appearance. The trio will join Mark Beevers, Clayton Donaldson, Yassin El Azzouzi and Ludovic Gamboa on the sidelines. Shaleum Logan and skipper Kevin O'Connor are expected to fill the two empty slots on the right flank against Huddersfield.
Taz.
BRENTFORD 0-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Wed 22 Feb - 19:45 - Griffin Park
Brentford were left to rue a series of missed opportunities after failing to break down Huddersfield.
The visitors aimed to frustrate Gianfranco Zola's men and the Bees struggled to find a way through a compact away defence at Griffin Park. Brentford remain behind Preston on goal difference after playing their game in hand against the mid-table Terriers. The Bees head coach will have cursed his team's lack of clinical finishing as their four-match winning run came to an end. Zola's side took fifteen shots but hit the target on just three occasions despite putting plenty of pressure on the Huddersfield backline.
Brentford squandered a fine opportunity to go ahead in the first minute of the game, setting up a frustrating evening. Shaleum Logan was handed a rare start on the right wing and the pacy utility man broke down the flank and supplied Myles Weston. The winger was left unmarked as he drifted inside but Weston fired wide. Stefan Velev also missed the target with a wild effort. Jonathan Douglas had the best chance of the first half for the Bees, stealing the ball from Jordan Rhodes' clearance before sending a dipping half-volley just over the crossbar.
Zola introduced Mike Grella at half time for some more firepower and the change almost had an immediate effect. Douglas split the defence with a superb through ball but the American drove his shot into the woodwork. It was a similar story for strike partner Paddy Madden as the Irishman was left one-on-one with Alex Smithies, only to smash the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Richard Lee prevented a painful defeat in the last minute as he turned away Davor Bubanja's effort but a goalless draw represented a disappointing return for the Bees.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - O'Connor, Osborne, Eger, Dickson (Grella 45) - Douglas (Forrester 64), Netzer - Logan, Velev (Diagouraga 74), Weston - Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Woodman.
Taz.
PRESTON 2-3 BRENTFORD
Sat 25 Feb - 15:00 - Deepdale
Brentford returned to the top of League One after a stunning fightback against title rivals Preston.
Gianfranco Zola masterminded an unbelievable two-goal comeback to knock the Lilywhites off the top of the league. The Bees boss must have been fearing the worst when his side went two goals down following Iain Hume and Milan Lalkovic's efforts but Paddy Madden pulled a goal back before the break. Marcel Eger drew Brentford level before Myles Weston capped off an amazing turnaround, sealing a vital win in the race for the title. Zola's side are now three points clear at the top and a massive twelve points clear of third place.
The hosts kicked off the game with only goal difference separating the two sides but there was a substantial difference in quality in the first half hour. Preston dominated the first half and almost went ahead in the first minute as Richard Lee made an excellent save to deny Hume. The Bees goalkeeper tipped Clarke Carlisle's header over the crossbar and Barry Nicholson sent a long-range effort inches wide. Hume opened the scoring in the twenty-ninth minute, running the length of the Bees half on the counter before slotting home.
Preston doubled their lead just five minutes later. Mike Grella headed away Alex Billington's free kick but Lalkovic collected the loose ball and blasted a sublime twenty five-yard effort into the top corner. The shellshocked Bees had to regroup quickly and to Zola's men's credit, Madden's thirty sixth-minute goal was the jumpstart that they needed. Jonathan Douglas played the crucial pass, spotting the Irishman at just the right moment. The young striker sped past Billington and curled the ball out of Preston stopper Iain Turner's reach.
Brentford looked reinvigorated after the break and Eger claimed the equaliser just eight minutes into the second half as the big German centre-back nodded in Stefan Velev's corner. Both sides knowing that the next goal would offer a huge advantage, Lee made another vital save after Ian Ashbee sent Nicholson clear. The eventual winner arrived in the seventieth minute as Weston broke down the left flank, cut inside and hammered the ball home from the edge of the box, sparking pandemonium amongst the travelling Bees contingent.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Logan (Taylor 78), Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Forrester (O'Connor 45), Douglas, Velev (Weston 54), Netzer - Madden, Grella.
Substitutes: Moore, Saunders.
Taz.
SKIPPER PROUD OF FIGHTING SPIRIT
Published: Sun 26 Feb 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Brentford captain Kevin O'Connor paid tribute to his team-mates after a memorable win over Preston.
The Irishman told the official site of his pride after the Bees completed a superb turnaround against the league leaders on their home turf. Goals from Paddy Madden, Marcel Eger and Myles Weston overturned a two-goal deficit and ensured that Brentford replace Preston at the top of League One. O'Connor was introduced at half time and played an instrumental role in midfield in the second half, marshalling Brentford to a crucial victory at Deepdale. The thirty year old congratulated his team-mates on a breathtaking second half.
"The lads have put in a massive performance to turn that around," O'Connor said. "We had an absolute nightmare dealing with Preston's strikers in the first half but Paddy pulled one back and we started to grow in confidence. The gaffer made some changes, switched things up and I couldn't be prouder of how we got that win. We all knew the importance of the game and I think we proved a lot of people wrong. We made mistakes but we didn't give up. We might have done it the hard way but everyone in the dressing room is absolutely buzzing now."
"We went 2-0 down and I was very worried," Bees head coach Gianfranco Zola admitted in his post-match interview. "We gave Preston a lot of space and Dickie made the saves to keep us in the game. It could have got worse but we reacted and I thought the players were brilliant in the second half. The attacking movement was wonderful to watch and everyone is feeling great. I wanted to run onto the pitch when Myles scored, it was a fantastic moment. The atmosphere is very good, we want to keep winning games and get promotion."
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Taz.
BRENTFORD 3-1 HARTLEPOOL
Sat 3 Mar - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Harry Forrester's late brace proved just enough for Brentford to see off bottom side Hartlepool.
The Bees looked set for a disappointing draw in a clash between the two sides at opposite ends of League One. Adam Boyd's penalty cancelled out Yassin El Azzouzi's opening goal but Forrester popped up in the final stages to score two goals in the space of five minutes, protecting the Bees' three-point lead at the top of the table. Hartlepool remain bottom but the visitors were a serious challenge at times for Gianfranco Zola's side, who recorded just three shots on target but maintained the only unbeaten home record in the Football League.
Kenyan international Patrick Osiako proved dangerous for the away side and the midfielder twice went close in the first half. He combined with Mark Carrington before firing wide and Richard Lee then made a smart save, holding onto Osiako's low shot as Hartlepool threatened to spring a surprise on Zola's men. The Bees took the lead against the run of play in the thirty-eighth minute. Paddy Madden raced down the right wing and delivered a great ball for El Azzouzi to slam into the roof of the net, claiming his tenth league goal of the season.
Boyd levelled from the spot moments before the break after Marcel Eger's foul. Zola has paid tribute to Lee's form in recent weeks and the Bees stopper kept his side in the game, making a point-blank save to deflect Carrington's strike over the crossbar. Forrester dealt the crucial blow in the seventy-seventh minute, latching onto Darryl Westlake's long ball and slotting past Scott Flinders. The tricky winger piled on the misery for Hartlepool five minutes later. Forrester again outpaced Sam Collins to a long clearance to fire home the Bees' third.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson - Forrester, Taylor (O'Connor 77), Douglas, Weston - El Azzouzi (Velev 77), Madden (Netzer 45).
Substitutes: Moore, Logan.
Fola
Career of the month for next month without a doubt in my eyes.
Taz.
Taz.
BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 BRENTFORD
Tues 6 Feb - 19:30 - Dean Court
Brentford came from behind to beat Bournemouth and move another step closer to promotion.
Marcel Eger's second-half winner means that the Bees have now established a sizeable eighteen-point lead over third-placed Sheffield United, although there are still eleven games remaining. Rowan Vine had given the Cherries an early lead at Dean Court but Mike Grella levelled for Brentford before the big German nodded in after the break. Brentford remain just three points ahead of title rivals Preston but their latest victory looks to be another win on the road to Championship football for Gianfranco Zola's side next season.
Bournemouth came racing out of the blocks in front of a 5,300-strong crowd and went ahead in the third minute. Karleigh Osborne was caught out of position by Shaun MacDonald's lofted pass and on-loan QPR striker Rowan Vine was the man to profit, running clear to drive the ball into the bottom corner. Michael Symes then almost grabbed a second as MacDonald ran the show from midfield. Paddy Madden hit the side netting after the Bees striker weaved through the Bournemouth defence before playing a key role in the equaliser.
The Irishman cruised past Adam Barrett and played an inch-perfect ball for Grella, who was left unmarked to roll the ball past Shwan Jalal. The goal gave Brentford a vital boost in the second half and Sam Saunders nearly put the Bees ahead, forcing Jalal to tip his fierce shot over the bar. From the resulting corner, Stefan Velev whipped the ball into the box and Eger rose highest, glancing the ball into the back of the net off the crossbar. Osborne redeemed himself late on with a last-ditch challenge as Andres Oper shaped up to level the score.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Eger, Dickson (Logan 89) - Saunders (O'Connor 54), Douglas (Netzer 76), Velev, Forrester - Grella, Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Weston.
Taz.
BEES CHAT - HARRY FORRESTER
Published: Thurs 8 Mar 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Winger Harry Forrester sat down with the official site to discuss life as a Brentford player.
His recent form...
"It's great to be getting a run in the team, it's really helped to develop my confidence and I think I can make the spot my own. We've got a lot of talented players and it drives you on, you want to make sure that you're getting the start. I've sharpened up my finishing, it's been something that I've worked on in training, just keeping a clear head and striking the ball cleanly. I think that's showed in the last few games. I might have to put a little wager amongst the lads, I've stepped it up!"
The rest of the season...
"Win every game, get on the plane for the Euros, right? We set the goal at the start of the season to go up. I think we've done really well to be where we are, the JPT game is going to be massive and I can't wait for Wembley. Promotion is the main target but I definitely think we can win the title. The Preston game was a massive boost and I think we can beat any team in the league. It'd be huge for the club to go up to the Championship and maybe even push on from there."
Life in the dressing room...
"It's very positive. I think we all wondered what it would be like at the start of the season with the new manager and the new players coming into the club but I can't fault the new lads, everyone has fit in well. We all want the same thing, there's no divisions. It's very important at this stage of the season, we stick together and fight for each other on the pitch. It helps having a lot of players the same age about, we've all got interests in common and it's a nice, friendly atmosphere."
Team-mates...
Best Trainer - Shay Logan has bags of stamina, he's very hard-working and is always in the gym working on his fitness.
Best Skills - Got to be me for that one! Or the gaffer, his knees are a bit gone but you can tell that he was a world-class player.
Hardest - Toumani is a big, strong lad, it's not too nice to be on the receiving end of a challenge from him.
The Joker - There's a fair few. Me, Mark Beevers, Paddy, it's a young squad and we all like a laugh.
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Taz.
BRENTFORD 3-3 CHARLTON
Sat 10 Mar - 15:00 - Griffin Park
Harry Forrester's last-minute equaliser rescued a point as Brentford mounted a late recovery against Charlton.
Charlton looked set to become the first away side to win at Griffin Park in the league this season and led 3-1 going into the final eight minutes. Two goals from Yann Kermorgant gave the Addicks a two-goal advantage in the first half before Niall McGinn pulled one back for Gianfranco Zola's side. Matt Taylor's strike looked to have sealed three points for Charlton but Stefan Velev gave the Bees hope in the closing stages. Forrester stole a point for Brentford in the third minute of stoppage time in a pulsating London derby.
The visitors went ahead from the spot in the eighth minute. Mark Beevers upended Scott Wagstaff as they sparred to meet Andy Hughes' cross and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Kermorgant stepped up and rifled the ball past Richard Lee. The Bees goalkeeper then denied Bradley Wright-Phillips as the Addicks searched for another win to aid their push for the play-offs. Danny Hollands teed up on-loan Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who slammed his effort against the upright as Brentford struggled to resist a first-half onslaught.
Kermorgant glanced in Hughes' corner at the near post in the thirty-seventh minute but McGinn swiftly halved the deficit two minutes later. Philipp Netzer drilled the ball forward and Yassin El Azzouzi laid it off for the Northern Irish international, who drove the ball low past Ben Hamer. Stefan Velev nearly levelled before Charlton's third goal left the Bees perilously close to their first home defeat of the season. Mikel Alonso flicked on Hollands' long throw-in and centre-back Taylor's powerful strike soared into the roof of the net.
Only inches separated Kermorgant from a hat-trick and with just eight minutes left on the clock, a defeat looked on the cards for Brentford. Velev offered Zola's side a glimmer of hope as Darryl Westlake's teasing cross evaded the Addicks defence, allowing the Bulgarian midfielder to slide the ball home. Forrester has emerged as one of the Bees' biggest stars in recent weeks and he was the man to claim the equaliser in the third minute of injury time. McGinn whipped a corner into the area and the winger's header crashed into the back of the net.
Match Details
Brentford
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers (O'Connor 45), Dickson - Douglas (Grella 59), Netzer - Madden (Forrester 59), Velev, McGinn - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Logan.
Taz.
Zola wary of fixture pile-up
Gianfranco Zola has admitted that Brentford's hectic fixture schedule will be a big test for his squad.
The Bees will play five games in the space of fourteen days, starting with their trip to relegation battlers Walsall on Saturday. Brentford are a massive nineteen points clear of third-placed Sheffield United and within touching distance of promotion but Zola remained cautious over the impact that the fixture pile-up could have on his squad's title chances. Title rivals Preston are just a point behind the Bees after last weekend's dramatic 3-3 draw against Charlton and with both sides virtually guaranteed promotion, the title is firmly up for grabs.
"It will be the hardest part of the season," the forty five year old told the Times, ahead of a packed schedule that includes his side's trip to Wembley in the final of the Football League Trophy. "I can remember thinking that the run of games in the Premier League was tough for the players but this is a different kind of test. We have a lot of important games. We can't rush around too much. Promotion is the biggest thing but I would be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about winning the league. It would be a fantastic end to the season."
"We are going to a lot of teams that will be fighting relegation and they will make it hard for us. Walsall beat Preston a few weeks ago, so we know what they can do if you take your eye off the ball. We've got a great spirit in the team and I think it will serve us well for these coming games. It's not an ideal situation but I have a lot of faith in my players as a group and we will stick together. I thought we were fantastic in the second half against Charlton, we showed great character to get that late goal and that's what you need to win the league."
KEZ_7
Taz.
The current table (pre-Walsall and Wycombe games)
Taz.
WALSALL 1-3 BRENTFORD
Sat 17 Mar - 15:00 - Bescot Stadium
Niall McGinn scored twice as Brentford comfortably defeated struggling Walsall.
The Northern Irishman found the back of the net in both halves against the Saddlers, who cancelled out McGinn's opener through Jon Macken but were reduced to ten men after the break when former Bees midfielder Marcus Bean was sent off. Karleigh Osborne also found the back of the net for Brentford, who are now twenty two points clear of third-placed Sheffield United and look certainties for promotion to the Championship. The victory also maintains Gianfranco Zola's side's one-point lead over title challengers Preston.
Brentford welcomed injured attacking duo Clayton Donaldson and Yassin El Azzouzi back into the starting eleven and the two strikers linked up well to test Jimmy Walker in the opening minute. The hosts had won just one of their last seven games and there was a sense of the inevitable at the Bescot Stadium when McGinn put the Bees ahead in the fifth minute, floating an audacious twenty-yard effort into the top corner. Donaldson's finishing looked slightly rusty and the striker should have grabbed a second when he fired straight at Walker.
Macken levelled when Piero Mingoia's effort bounced off the woodwork into his path but the Bees produced a confident away performance and were soon back in front two minutes after the break. Darryl Westlake impressed against his former club and he burst down the right flank, slipping a clever ball through for McGinn to strike into the bottom corner. The on-loan Celtic winger then turned provider for Osborne, who outmuscled Richard Taundry in the air to secure a straightforward win for the title-chasing Bees.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Westlake (Logan 76), Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - McGinn, Douglas (Forrester 76), Velev (O'Connor 73), Gamboa - Donaldson, El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Netzer.
Taz.
WYCOMBE 2-5 BRENTFORD
Tues 20 Mar - 19:30 - Adams Park
Brentford are one win away from promotion to the Championship after easing past Wycombe.
The unstoppable Yassin El Azzouzi scored four goals as the Bees moved twenty two points clear of third place at Adams Park. Victory in the next league game against Stevenage will guarantee promotion with seven games remaining. Wycombe went ahead through Will Keane but an inspired thirty-minute spell from El Azzouzi put Brentford back in front before Ludovic Gamboa added a fifth in the second half, meaning that Gianfranco Zola's side have now scored twelve goals in three games against Gary Waddock's men this season.
Brentford hammered the Chairboys 6-2 in their previous visit to Adams Park in November but the home side looked to have rewritten the script as they took the lead in the sixth minute. Some uncharacteristically poor defending from the Bees allowed Jamie Mole time to cut the ball back for on-loan Manchester United youngster Keane to prod past Richard Lee. Brentford levelled nine minutes later as Clayton Donaldson skinned Andy Sandell and supplied a perfectly-weighted through ball for the onrushing El Azzouzi, who finished clinically.
Ludovic Gamboa bagged a brace in the previous fixture and the winger caused the Wycombe defence plenty of problems once again. He curled an in-swinging corner into the area for El Azzouzi to power home his second goal in the twenty-sixth minute. A rout looked to be oncoming but the hosts regrouped and Zola will have words with his defenders after a carbon copy of Wycombe's opener. Mole easily turned Mark Beevers and Ryan Dickson and crossed the ball low for Keane. The youngster made no mistake and struck the ball home calmly.
El Azzouzi completed his second hat-trick of the season in the forty-third minute. Dickson spotted the striker's run from his own box, smashing the ball down the pitch for the Frenchman, who rolled the ball past Nikki Bull. The former Bees stopper must have been sick of the sight of Brentford's prolific frontman when he grabbed his fourth just fourteen seconds into the second half from another superb Gamboa assist. Stefan Velev's flick-on provided the fifth goal as Gamboa ran clear to clip the ball into the back of the net.
Brentford (4-2-3-1)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers, Dickson (Logan 76) - Douglas (O'Connor 76), Netzer - Donaldson (Forrester 66), Velev, Gamboa - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Grella.
Taz.
Zola dreaming of more Wembley glory
Teddy Cutler - Saturday 24 March 2012 -
Gianfranco Zola will return to Wembley for the first time as a manager with Brentford tomorrow afternoon.
The Italian could have called the hallowed turf a second home during his days with Chelsea. Zola took to the old Wembley pitch on five separate occasions in a blue shirt, winning four trophies. Few would have expected a man that many viewed as unfairly sacked when he departed West Ham almost two years ago to drop down to League One but the forty five year old will once again carry the hopes of a certain section of West London on his shoulders when his Brentford side take on Sheffield United in the final of the Football League Trophy.
It may be in slightly less glamorous circumstances than Chelsea's two FA Cup victories but Zola has brought a touch of class to the Bees, who will secure promotion next weekend with victory over Stevenage. Brentford, who were beaten by Carlisle in the final of the competition twelve months ago, boast the highest points tally in English football and have a reputation for bright, attacking football. The Bees head coach has turned the heads of several Premier League sides this season, although he is expected to soon sign a new contract at Griffin Park.
"I'm very happy here," the former Italy star said as he held court at the club's ramshackle training ground. "It's a place that I know well. My family were delighted to come back to London, it feels like home. The club is almost a second family. We're all close and we want to do the best for another. I've learned a lot as a coach but from the start, I saw the potential for success here. The owner is a great man and his support is very valuable. He has given me time to develop a team and the right style of play. I think that's why we're here."
"The game is a fantastic opportunity to show what we're all about. It's a big stage and a privilege to come here once more, especially as a coach. Leaving West Ham was very tough for me, it ended badly but I'm not the type to give up. I've tried to instil that in the players and they aren't thinking about last year. We've picked up a lot of confidence from being at the top of the league and we have the chance to make this a great week for the club. We want to win the trophy but I'm proud of them, whatever happens."
Taz.
Sheffield United players line up before kick-off at Wembley
Scott Murray
Sunday 25 March 2012 - 14:32
14:32 PREAMBLE
Two of League One's big hitters go head-to-head at Wembley as Brentford meet Sheffield United in the showpiece final of the Football League Trophy. Gianfranco Zola has impressively led the Bees to the verge of promotion but the Blades are one scalp that big-spending Brentford are yet to claim this season and the two sides drew 0-0 back in November. Danny Wilson looks to have missed out on automatic promotion but a trophy could be a welcome relief for the under-pressure Yorkshireman, whose side are currently third in League One.
14:48 THE TEAMS ARE IN
A strong line-up for Brentford includes both prolific goalscorers Yassin El Azzouzi and Clayton Donaldson in an attacking 4-2-3-1 shape. The Bees have lost all of their three JPT final appearances. Meanwhile, Wilson has surprisingly maintained his faith in the fringe players that have taken the Blades to the final of this competition for the first time in their history. They are in their usual 4-4-2 setup, with a splash of Premier League quality in on-loan Liverpool right-back Jon Flanagan, who has been given the captain's armband for the occasion.
14:49 SHEFFIELD UNITED LINE-UP
Long - Flanagan (c), Maguire, Kennedy, Warren - Chappell, Doyle, Whitehouse, Tønne - Cresswell, Porter.
Substitutes: Aksalu, Drury, Løkberg, Martin, Jean-François.
14:49 BRENTFORD LINE-UP
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Trevisan, Dickson - Douglas, O'Connor (c) - Donaldson, Velev, Gamboa - El Azzouzi.
Substitutes: Moore, Logan, Netzer, Forrester, Grella.
15:00 KICK-OFF
We're underway at Wembley in front of an impressive crowd of 79,863, including a sizeable amount of supporters who made the journey from Bramall Lane. I'm reliably informed that this is the second-highest attendance figure for this game in the JPT's illustrious history. A mammoth 80,841 fans watched Wolves beat Burnley in the 1988 final.
Taz.
Sheffield United centre-back Harry Maguire in discussion with referee Andre Marriner
Scott Murray
Sunday 25 March 2012 - 15:00
15:07 CHANCE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 BRENTFORD
The first real opportunity of the match falls to Brentford's lethal striker Yassin El Azzouzi. The Frenchman scored four against Wycombe on Tuesday and looks hungry for more. Stefan Velev carved out the chance, slipping the ball through the statuesque Blades defence, but El Azzouzi's shot has just too much power and flashes over the crossbar.
15:17 CHANCE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 BRENTFORD
Brentford have enjoyed the majority of the play here in the opening stages. Gianfranco Zola's side move the ball around the pitch quickly and the inexperienced Sheffield United backline comes under renewed pressure. El Azzouzi surges forward and lays the ball off to Velev but Blades goalkeeper George Long makes a comfortable save.
15:21 YELLOW CARD! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 BRENTFORD
Ludovic Gamboa is the first man in the book as the French winger clatters veteran striker Richard Cresswell.
15:26 SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 BRENTFORD
The Blades are slowly growing into the game and their raucous travelling support are making most of the noise. Jordan Chapell is enjoying himself on the right flank and the young midfielder races down the wing after Elliot Whitehouse's long ball. Brentford left-back Ryan Dickson foils his attempts to cross with a well-timed tackle and the resulting corner is headed clear by El Azzouzi.
15:30 SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 BRENTFORD
The rainy conditions could play a big part here at Wembley. Both sides are struggling to control the ball on the slick pitch after a drizzly morning in North London.
15:40 GOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-0 BRENTFORD (Jordan Chapell 40)
Against the run of play, Sheffield United have the lead! Marc Warren plays a one-two with Michael Doyle and finds the Norwegian midfielder Erik Tønne. He has far too much time on the ball and swings the ball into the box. It's an inch-perfect cross for Chapell, who is played onside by Dickson. The twenty year old ghosts in behind Trevor Trevisan and plants a firm header past Richard Lee. A massive roar from over 50,000 Blades fans greets Chapell's first senior goal for the club, and what a time to score it.
15:42 SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-0 BRENTFORD
The goal seems to have knocked the stuffing out of the Bees players and Gianfranco Zola looks a concerned man on the touchline. He will be disappointed with the nature of the opening goal after his side dominated much of the first half.
15:44 GOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD (Clayton Donaldson 44)
...but not for long! The little Italian jumps for joy on the sidelines as Brentford claim the equaliser. Gamboa has been the Bees' biggest outlet on the left flank and he proves instrumental here. The Frenchman leaves Jon Flanagan trailing in his wake, speeds past Chapell and delivers a beauty of a cross to the far post. Donaldson has struggled to impose himself out on the right wing but he gets on the right side of Warren and produces a diving header to level the scores.
15:46 HALF TIME - SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
Andre Marriner blows his whistle for the break and it could genuinely go either way here. Brentford have looked sharp on the ball but the defending for Chapell's goal left a lot to be desired and the bruising duo of Richard Cresswell and Chris Porter up front is proving a distraction. Danny Wilson's faith in his younger players seems to be paying off and Chapell has been the best player on the pitch thus far. The next goal could strike a massive blow.
Taz.
Brentford rally the troops ahead of a crucial second half
Scott Murray
Sunday 25 March 2012 - 16:00
16:00 KICK-OFF - SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
We're back underway at Wembley with one change to report. Warren was beaten far too easily for Brentford's equaliser and he is unceremoniously hooked off at half time by Wilson. The experienced on-loan Norwich defender Adam Drury will come on in his place, up against the pace and power of Donaldson.
16:03 CHANCE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
Chapell is definitely rising to the occasion and he poses a nuisance to the Brentford defence once again. Harry Maguire lofts the ball forward and it zips along the wet pitch. Chapell is first to it, hurdling Dickson's challenge and sprinting into the box. His low shot skids along the turf awkwardly but Richard Lee just about gets a glove to the ball and pushes it behind for a corner.
16:07 SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
Jonathan Douglas attempts an audacious long-range effort but the ball flies over the bar. The Irish midfielder is quickly back in the action, intercepting Long's weak goal-kick and setting free Velev. The Bulgarian spots another great run from Gamboa, who bears down on the box, but Flanagan uses the conditions to his full advantage, sliding across with a full-blooded but fair challenge that robs the winger of the ball and leaves him on the floor.
16:16 SUBSTITUTION - SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
Both sides are making changes. Tønne provided a superb assist for the Blades' opening goal but he is clearly flagging after tracking back and forth in pursuit of Donaldson. Eighteen year old striker Connor Martin will replace him as Wilson reshuffles, Porter moving to the wing. Brentford replace Darryl Westlake with the more attacking-minded Shay Logan at right-back.
16:21 CHANCE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
Trevisan makes a clumsy challenge on Porter as they duel for a loose ball. The free-kick is certainly within scoring range and Flanagan steps up to take it. The Liverpool youngster absolutely leathers the ball and the Blades supporters rise in expectation, only to realise that Flanagan's effort has hit the side netting.
16:30 SAVE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 BRENTFORD
What a great stop from the young Blades goalkeeper. The impressive Velev is pulling all of the strings in midfield and he sets El Azzouzi away. The Frenchman shrugs off a tackle from Maguire and has a brilliant chance to put the Bees ahead but Long twists his body to parry it away.
16:35 GOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD (Jordan Chapell 79)
Sheffield United are back in front! Whitehouse holds up play and sprays the ball out to Chapell on the right wing. He looks up and sees Connor Martin free at the back post and lofts the ball into the box. Dickson jumps to head it away but it evades the Brentford defence, balloons over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net! I'm not sure if he meant it but the Blades are back in front and Chapell, who has played just two games this season, is on a hat-trick. Richard Lee looks distraught.
16:38 SUBSTITUTION - SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD
Gianfranco Zola's last throw of the dice? The Brentford manager brings on goal-scoring winger Harry Forrester for the fatigued Velev and is forced into another change within a minute. El Azzouzi has pulled up injured after Adam Drury's crunching challenge. Zola introduces Mike Grella in his place. The Bees have eight minutes to send the game to extra time.
16:45 SAVE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD
Another inspired save from George Long. Gamboa has been Brentford's best player and he once again causes havoc, drifting inside and playing the ball to Harry Forrester. He slaloms his way into the box and picks his moment well, sending a low shot towards goal. Long gets down superbly, pushing the ball to Maguire who hacks it into touch. There will be four minutes of added time.
16:48 OFFSIDE! SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD
Things are getting frantic at Wembley. Whitehouse heads clear Douglas' corner but the Irishman picks up the loose ball and rolls it to Karleigh Osborne on the edge of the box filled with ten Blades players. Osborne lays it off and Douglas' effort ricochets into Chapell. Brentford hold their breath as it falls to Donaldson and he blasts it into the net, not noticing the linesman's raised flag on the touchline. Frustration for Zola's men, who have struggled to get past a compact defence and an in-form goalkeeper.
16:50 FULL TIME! SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD
...surely into the final seconds now... and the whistle is blown! Sheffield United are the winners of the 2012 Football League Trophy! Some superb performances from the Blades' youngsters stun the pre-match favourites Brentford, who never quite made it into top gear and endured a frustrating second half. They will look back on some missed opportunities after the match but what a day for Jordan Chapell, who has won his team a first trophy since 1982 in only his second professional appearance.
Dan
Taz.
Taz.
ZOLA: WE WILL RECOVER
Published: Mon 26 Mar 2012 - By Ciaran Brett
Gianfranco Zola has targeted promotion as the remedy for Brentford's disappointment at Wembley.
The Bees head coach vowed to secure a place in the Championship after leading his dejected side to collect their runners-up medals yesterday. Sheffield United won 2-1 with a late goal to capture the Football League Trophy as Brentford suffered another Wembley heartbreak. Victory over Stevenage on Wednesday will confirm a return to the second tier for the first time in twenty years and the Italian insisted that the Bees' second consecutive defeat in the final of the competition had not damaged his side's belief.
"It's a difficult moment for the boys," Zola admitted in his post-match interview. "The game was very close and you could argue that we deserved extra time. We have to forget about it and think about the league. We have a big game coming up against Stevenage and the mood could be completely different in a few days. It's been a great season and we fought hard to get to the final, it just didn't work out on the day and I must congratulate Danny Wilson and his team. There is an important week ahead for us and we have to keep our focus."
Victory will guarantee promotion from League One with seven games still to play. A draw will also seal promotion if Sheffield United fail to win away at Bournemouth. The Bees drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture against Stevenage in October but won comfortably in both legs of the Football League Trophy area final earlier this year. Kevin O'Connor and Yassin El Azzouzi limped off injured yesterday but both are expected to pass fitness tests for Wednesday evening's game. Niall McGinn is still out for two weeks with a knee injury.
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Taz.
BRENTFORD 2-2 STEVENAGE
Wed 28 Mar - 19:30 - Griffin Park
Brentford sealed promotion to the Championship after securing a point against Stevenage.
News filtered through at full time that third-placed Sheffield United had lost 2-0 against Bournemouth, confirming Brentford's place in the Championship next season. It had appeared that the Bees would be made to wait to celebrate a first return to the second tier since 1992 after a spirited performance from the visitors. Mark Beevers and Mike Grella were on target as Gianfranco Zola secured promotion in his first season at Griffin Park. Chris Beardsley replied on both occasions for the away side but the evening belonged to the Bees.
Zola's side are undefeated against Stevenage this season and looked set for their third straight win against Graham Westley's side. Goalkeeper Alan Julian barely managed to keep out Trevor Trevisan's close-range effort and Paddy Madden's volley stung the palms of the Boro stopper. A huge roar greeted the opening goal as the Bees edged closer to promotion. Stefan Velev whipped the ball into the box and Karleigh Osborne shrugged off John Mousinho's challenge to plant a firm header towards goal. Beevers got the key touch, diverting it past Julian.
Stevenage were determined to spoil the party and levelled two minutes later. Beardsley played a neat one-two with Jennison Myrie-Williams and slipped behind Beevers, producing a calm finish to equalise. Brentford lost Ludovic Gamboa to a painful-looking injury in the first half but substitute Grella almost had an immediate impact. The American striker bustled Michael Bostwick off the ball and smashed a powerful effort towards goal, Julian making a superb save to parry his shot clear. Josh Wright then hit the bar for the away side.
The Bees restored the lead in the sixty-seventh minute. Madden flicked the ball out wide to Harry Forrester, who delivered a magnificent cross for Grella to nod into the back of the net. Just as Brentford looked to have claimed the required win, the relegation-battling visitors levelled once again as Beardsley headed home from Wright's free kick. News of two late Bournemouth goals spread swiftly through Griffin Park, sparking scenes of celebration amongst the majority of the 4,500-strong crowd as the Bees secured a well-deserved promotion.
Brentford (4-4-2)
Lee - Westlake, Osborne, Beevers, Trevisan (Logan 72) - Forrester, Douglas, Velev, Gamboa (Grella 6) - Donaldson (Netzer 68), Madden.
Substitutes: Moore, Taylor.
VP.