Brentford

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reiss Nelson has returned to training but Andrews didn't confirm whether he'll be involved on Saturday.

• Josh Dasilva is working "tirelessly" on his recovery and Andrews is hopeful of seeing him back on the grass "sooner rather than later".

• There are no new injuries to report.

• Andrews said it was "really important" to get an away win at Wolves, who could have seen the game as a good opportunity to pick up a much-needed result.

• On the reasons for poor away form: "The performances should have got more points than we have - and it'd be less of a thing!"

• Andrews confirmed that before their game on the 27th, players will be in training on the 24th and the 26th, but will have Christmas Day off.

• On facing "high-octane" Bournemouth: "You have to earn results against them."

• Andrews suggested that the club is in "a good position" to be active in the January transfer window - for the right player and the right deal.

• Andrews has sympathy for players who aren't getting to play the football that they want at the club and suggested that it's "healthy for all parties" if these players leave to get more minutes.

• Fans have been "amazing" this season, home and away, and can play a "massive" role in forthcoming home games.

• Andrews said he and the club both have a progressive mindset: "There's only one way we can go and that's up."

• On pushing for a European spot in the new year: "We're content, to a point, with where we are. We'll keep pushing and see what happens."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford rarely do business in the January transfer window, considering it to be a time of poor value when buying players.

The only incomings tend to be loans with a view to a permanent summer transfer, as happened with Kevin Schade and Michael Kayode in recent seasons.

Given our healthy position in mid-table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, I think it is very unlikely that the club would reverse that thinking next month.

For once, we have full-backs coming out of our ears - after a long time of players filling in when none of the first-choice players were fit.

We are also well stocked with centre-halfs and goalkeepers, but where we are really light is up front.

While we tend to play with only one central striker - currently Igor Thiago - it does leave us short if anything happens to him, so it could be worth bringing in a second striker, ideally someone young but with a bit of experience, who will accept starting most games on the bench for the moment.

We could also probably do with some more punch in midfield. While we have plenty of talent in that area, something has been missing creatively at times this season, so an extra body would help.

This might also be a time when players who are on the bench every week but rarely come on, such as Frank Onyeka and Myles Peart-Harris, decide that for the sake of their careers they need to move on so they can start playing games.

I wonder also if the highly talented youngster Romelle Donovan might benefit from half a season in the Championship, especially as his only first-team appearances this season are likely to come in the FA Cup while we are still in it.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Stan: As a Wolves supporter, and having played football most of my life, I have to say it is clear they do not have the talent. After selling any players of note and a terrible recruitment of players, it is a certainty they will be lucky to stay in the Championship let alone the Premier League.

Ian: I want a season ticket refund. I endure Wolves home matches at £50 per game. Abysmal.

Dan: Poor performance, but the hardest part of the defeat is that we never really looked like getting back in the game once we went behind. Rob Edwards might be a smashing bloke, but he was not the answer to try and keep us in the Premier League. The fans feel let down big time.

Brentford fans

David: Awesome stuff. My seven-year-old's first away game win! Janelt was a beast, running non-stop all over. Real tense between goals one and two. Kelleher the penalty king once more.

Herzy: Far from pretty, but effective. A hard watch in the first half, Wolves look doomed and contrastingly, the Bees look like their run of poor results away is done. Keep going Keith, the loyal fans are with you.

Kev: Wonderful commitment and effort just three days after City away. Good squad use too, great management. Looking forward to Christmas holiday games at home.

John Bennett
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The media seats at Molineux give you a perfect view of the technical areas and a fascinating insight into the emotions being experienced by the coaching teams, so when Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring on Saturday you could feel what a relief it was for Brentford boss Keith Andrews and his staff.

Three defeats in the last five Premier League games before the trip to Wolves, and in particular four away defeats in a row, meant that Brentford were beginning to be talked about by pundits as a team that could get dragged into a relegation battle.

That context increased the importance of a match against a bottom of the table side and when the Wolves keeper Jose Sa made saves to deny Lewis-Potter in the first half and then Kevin Schade, twice, early in the second-half, it started to feel like it could be one of those frustrating days for Brentford.

But when Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock with a Frank Lampard like run into the box for the first goal and then made it 2-0 with a superb sliding finish, Brentford's players and fans were finally rewarded.

There's now a 10 point gap between the Bees and the relegation zone, so no wonder Andrews had a beaming smile as he walked over to do his media interviews.

He's been criticised recently by some Brentford fans for being too negative but told reporters that "we want to be more attacking but we have to get the balance right and today we did that".

The headlines after Saturday's game were mostly about more misery for Wolves but this certainly felt like a vital victory for Brentford and their manager.

They now go into games with Bournemouth, Tottenham and Everton over the festive period with less pressure and maybe an opportunity to be more ambitious going forward.

Pundits Joe Hart and Shay Given join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 3-0 West Ham

• Brighton 0-0 Sunderland

• Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford move 10 points clear of the bottom three and continue to be a very stable side under Keith Andrews.

The rookie manager has built an efficient side even if they did not need to show much quality to beat an awful Wolves.

Keane Lewis-Potter knew they needed to be patient, a pre-match directive by Andrews, and he took his chances for first league goals since January.

The unknown managerial nous of former Republic of Ireland international Andrews at the start of the season, having succeeded Thomas Frank, would have led to some relegation fears, but the Bees are comfortable in mid-table.

Brentford do not put as much influence on the manager as other clubs, believing their data and processes allow them to slot in whoever may be head coach.

Andrews has done that in a so far solid debut season.

This was their first win since beating Burnley in late November but victories have come consistently enough to keep the pressure off and therefore allow Andrews time to adapt and grow into his role.

The Bees are just three points behind sixth-placed Crystal Palace, and while challenging at the very top may be fanciful, Brentford are ticking along very nicely.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to BBC Sport: "I mentioned to the players before the game, in the previous five games Wolves have been drawing at half-time, so we needed to be patient.

On goalscorer Keane Lewis-Potter: "He's had to be patient. I inherited him as a full-back, which I am quick to remind him of. He has had to suffer a little bit in terms of game time but I have a soft spot for him and it was nice to see him get his reward today because he has been trying really hard.

"The clean sheet was really important for the group today. It's not rocket science, you keep a clean sheet and you have more chance of winning a game. We want to be more attacking but we have to get the balance right and today we did that.

"Away from home we haven't had the results we perhaps deserve but it was nice to get that today. With the way they support us on the road, it's nice to reward the fans today."

Did you know?

• Brentford have won three of their five Premier League away meetings with Wolves (D1 L1) – only earning more victories on the road in the competition against West Ham United (4).

• Brentford's Caoimhin Kelleher has saved three of the five penalties that he has faced in the Premier League, with his 60% save rate the highest of any goalkeeper to have faced five or more penalties in the competition.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Rob Edwards makes four changes with Wolves still looking for their first Premier League win of the season.

Jose Sa, Ki-Jana Hoever, Santi Bueno and Fer Lopez are all handed starts

Toti and Sam Johnstone miss out while Emmanuel Agbadou has joined Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations for and Yerson Mosquera is banned.

Wolves XI: Sa, Hoever, Doherty, S Bueno, Krejci, Wolfe, Andre, J Gomes, Lopez, Hwang, Strand Larsen

Subs: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Pond, Olagunju, Rawlings, Gonzalez, Mane, Arias, Arokodare

Striker Igor Thiago wins his fitness battle and starts for Brentford.

The 12-goal forward was rated touch and go by boss Keith Andrews with a knock - missing the 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday - but will lead the line at Molineux.

Rico Henry, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Kevin Schade start but Jordan Henderson is only fit enough for the bench.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Van Den Berg, Henry, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Henderson, Ajer, Damsgaard, Konak, Nunes, Donovan

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Burnley

• Brighton v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester City v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Brentford

• Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Arsenal (20:00)

• Leeds v Crystal Palace (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

What a miserable Christmas party the Wolves players must have had. They are not staying up - not a chance.

They pushed Arsenal close with their rearguard action at Emirates Stadium last weekend, but still lost in the end.

Rob Edwards needs something, anything, to go his way after five defeats from five games and maybe - just maybe! - he will get a crumb of comfort on Saturday.

The reason I say that is because Brentford's away record is woeful, with seven defeats and just one win in the Premier League so far.

I still think the Bees might nick it, but instead I am going for Wolves to get a point and bring a tiny bit of Christmas cheer to Molineux, although I am not sure how long it will last.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Henry Cowling
BBC Sport journalist

Bottom side Wolves continue their search for a first league win of the season when they welcome an out-of-form Brentford to Molineux on Saturday. BBC Sport looks at some of the key themes going into the match.

Wolves tightening up?

Wolves have now lost nine league games in a row, their most in Premier League history, and are guaranteed to be bottom of the table at Christmas. Nonetheless, they showed promising signs during their heartbreaking late loss to league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend.

The visitors restricted Mikel Arteta's side to two shots on target – the joint-fewest Wolves have faced in a Premier League game this season.

Arsenal have only had fewer shots on target in their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in August, while they failed to register any in the first half of a Premier League fixture for the first time this season.

It was a far cry from Wolves' leaky showing earlier this month at home to Manchester United, who ran riot at Molineux – winning 4-1 and recording 27 shots, with 10 on target.

Wolves will be hoping they can continue the defensive promise they showed last time out as they face a Brentford side who have scored just one goal in their past three league games.

Brentford dropping points

It was an all too familiar occurrence for Brentford last weekend as they relinquished a lead and dropped points.

Keith Andrews' side were heading for a sixth home league win of the season when Jordan Henderson struck with 20 minutes left to play but Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued a point for Leeds.

Brentford have now dropped more points from winning positions than any other Premier League team. The Bees have let 13 points slip after going ahead over the course of the season so far.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Andrews said Jordan Henderson and Igor Thiago both picked up little knocks against Leeds on Sunday. "We don't know yet how they are. They've been with the medics today and we'll see how they are for the game on Saturday."

• On other availability, he said: "If you take Fabio [Carvalho] and Antoni's [Milambo] cruciate injuries out of the equation, we're in a really good place. We've managed that side of things really well. The medical team has been outstanding - the way we communicate, the dynamics of how we train and push players."

• He added: "It's about finding the right balance to have the right amount of edge and prepare for games. Really happy on that front."

• Andrews said he will not underestimate Wolves' ability. "It's going to be a really difficult game. I watched a lot of them this morning and have a decent understanding of how they play, with more detail around exactly what they do. They have a lot of pride in what they're trying to do. I'm anticipating a really tough game, one we have to be ready for."

• Andrews is a former Wolves player - spending nine years of his career at the club - so for him Saturday is "a bit of a full circle". He added: "It will be really nice to go back."

• On Wolves' boss Rob Edwards, Andrews said: "I like Rob a lot. He's a really good guy and I have a lot of admiration for his coaching journey. I'm well aware of what he did at Wolves - academy, U21s - Telford, Forest Green and then spectacularly at Luton. That achievement will go down for ever in the history books and shouldn't be forgotten and it was a little in the way they went down. But it was remarkable, he's one of the good guys [and it will be] good to see him on Saturday."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says Brentford deserve credit for "putting themselves in the right positions" to try and end their wait for a major trophy.

The Bees reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the third season in the last five but were beaten 2-0 at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

"It's never easy coming to Manchester City and trying to get the victory when you know City are in it to win it themselves," Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Credit to Brentford as a club because if you keep putting yourself in these situations, taking the competition seriously, and getting to quarter-finals - at some point the draw will be favourable.

"At some point, things will go your way and you will get that bit of fortune, but you have to be in the competition at that stage to benefit from the fortune.

"Yes, the Premier League is very important and it's important to take that seriously but they are putting themselves in the right positions where something might fall their way."

The Bees travel to bottom club Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday and Osman sees this as the perfect opportunity for Keith Andrews' side to return to winning way after no victories in their past four in all competitions.

"The last two wins they've had were at home so it would be good for them to go away and get three points," he added. "If any team play Wolves and don't win, it will feel like points dropped so Brentford don't want to fall into that situation.

"It's an opportunity for them to go there, be positive, take the positives from this season into it and get three points."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Manchester City and Brentford, as Pep Guardiola's side reached the last four of the competition for the first time since 2021.

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Kevin: A comfortable win in the end, but at times it was complacent and training-ground stuff that verged on showboating. Luckily, Brentford were lethargic and unimaginative, eventually transitioning to surrender. This performance won't cut the cake in the other three priority competitions.

Harry: A brilliant performance with a well-rotated team, unlike the Bayer Leverkusen fiasco. What more can I say about Rayan Cherki? if he keeps himself grounded, he will go on to be a legend here. I hope Savinho knows that real fans of this club love him. He has so much talent and I desperately want him to become a core of this team. Well done to our academy lads too for an all-round professional performance. Credit to the Brentford fans who made the trip and to their players who were class.

David: While Abdudokir Khusanov grew into the game and showed some talent, Rico Lewis showed himself exactly for what he is: a jobbing lower division player. I'm sure he is on a nice package though!

Andy: Khusanov is an exciting player but is always a liability. He could've easily been sent off. He needs to not react as impulsively because this isn't the first time he could've cost City.

Brentford fans

John: It looked like we were lacking in any ambition, albeit against a very good side. Kevin Schade is not a centre-forward and such late offensive substitutions would not please the travelling supporters. It's a shame.

Kevin: It was fairly clear from team selection that the Bees had no intention of winning this tie. I feel sorry for the supporters who made the trip. After resting Yehor Yarmoliuk and Mikkel Damsgaard at the weekend, I thought we might give it a go following the poor performance against Leeds, but not to be. Five at the back does not work.

George: We had our eye on Wolves this weekend and could only offer promising spells at the start of each half without any end product. Our forward-thinking runs were too often at odds with our new 'pass it back a lot and then hoof it forward' mentality, which is yet to produce a result.

Joe: A bit underwhelming to be honest. Felt like we made some decent chances for ourselves but really lacked any form of execution. Igor Thiago and Jordan Henderson's absence was very notable. Wolves on Saturday now becomes a very important match to win

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford boss Keith Andrews will be left wondering what could have been had the referee brandished a red card instead of a yellow in the direction of Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov during Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Etihad Stadium.

With no VAR available until the next round, Brentford had to accept Sam Barrott's decision and Andrews' pleas towards the fourth official made no difference.

"I'm very quick to defend officials generally - it is such a difficult job, but that was one they didn't get right," Andrews said.

"The explanation - the touch being too far away from goal - doesn't quite sit well with me after watching it back because he is clean through on goal.

"If it's a red card, it's a big advantage for us obviously - but we will never know."

Mathias Jensen's resulting free-kick was well struck but batted away by goalkeeper James Trafford.

The visitors were unable to find a way past the stand-in goalkeeper, and have now lost five of their past six meetings against Manchester City.

Brentford fell at the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup for the second consecutive season, having lost to eventual winners Newcastle last season.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media after his side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup: "We played with a lot of courage. I had to make some changes, with Dango [Ouattara] going away and a couple of knocks to [Igor] Thiago and Jordan [Henderson].

"We had one day prepare and one day of training. We actually flipped the system, so the players showed they are so intelligent, so adaptable and so versatile. I was very impressed in terms of how we played.

"We had to play with courage in how we tried to break them down and control the play. Unfortunately, we couldn't quite get that bit of quality in the final third, but I felt we were close on quite a few occasions.

"I'm disappointed, obviously, but I thought we defended brilliantly and I'm very proud of the boys."

Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen has also been speaking to the media following the match: "We gave it a go. We tried to play with a lot of courage.

"I think we did quite well, actually. Their goals came from a set-piece and a transition from one of ours. I don't think they had too many clear-cut chances.

"We did very well in the first phase or two, but maybe lacked a bit of quality in the final third."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on City's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Manchester City make seven changes to the side that beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.

James Trafford starts in goal, with Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Savinho coming into the side.

Academy star Divine Mukasa starts up front in place of Erling Haaland.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all drop to the bench.

Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Savinho, Mukasa.

Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, Gray, Mfuni.

Brentford make six changes following the weekend's draw at Leeds.

Hakon Valdimarsson starts in goal in place of Caoimhin Kelleher, while Rico Henry, Kristoffer Ajer, Mikkel Damsgaard, Yehor Yarmolyuk and Kevin Schade come into the side.

Brentford XI: Valdimarsson, Henry, Van den Berg, Collins, Ajer, Kayode, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Janelt, Schade.

Subs: Kelleher, Hickey, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Konak, Donovan, Arthur, Nunes.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There "were a couple of knocks" in Sunday's draw with Leeds but everyone should be fine.

• Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka have left for Afcon, while Reiss Nelson remains sidelined.

• Andrews said playing Manchester City "is obviously a very difficult game" and Erling Haaland is "difficult to keep quiet".

• He said they can take some "positives" from the narrow defeat to City in October because they "grew into the game" and "restricted them to few clear cut chances."

• Andrews says Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup last season "was a great story and shows that the so called lesser teams can succeed" too.

• Despite focusing on the Premier League, Andrews said they "are going to take the game as serious as the game dictates as it's a great opportunity to get into a quarter final."