‘One good thing. When we’re 3 down at half time, there’s no shortage of pubs we can go to.’
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE! The rot has stopped. After 5 defeats in a row the Super Reds finally scrape a point! And scrape we did, an outstanding performance from the centre halves and keeper restricting Brentford’s first half dominance from burying us alive. Then, with our tails up 2nd half, we had Moncur pulling the strings for 20 minutes and we very nearly pinched it when Barnes sent in a low cross and Bradshaw cleared the bar. A difficult chance, but a chance nonetheless. I don’t think the sheeting rain helped, but it was nice to see what we COULD do. What we USED to do, before Barnes lost all his form (Bradshaw has remained consistent).
After a couple of errands in the morning, I rocked up to Waterloo to narrowly miss one train and have the next one cancelled. Great. Meant I had to hang out with the Slacks and Nice Guy Chris. It was lovely really. I’ve never seen Ian moan at young Jake before,but like every other teenager in the land, Jake is perennially hungry (greedy)…though giving him a tenner to go and get something seemed extraordinarily generous. Needless to say the tykester came back with A Burger King meal.
We encamped to the Griffin. Why change a winning habit after last year’s 2-0? I think the highlight was when Reedy came back from the bar with about 8 beers and upon dishing them out I heard ‘oh, Allan didn’t want one.’ Did I not? Woulda been nice to have been asked. Ian got one, and I was at exactly the same stage of pint he was. Duly noted, I got up, waded through the crowd, bought my own beer and then chatted on to a couple of Brentford at the bar who were discussing who they wanted to see relegated from the Prem. ‘I tell ya who I’d like to see go down’, I said. ‘It’s be great to see West Ham get relegated and the Olympic Stadium in the Championship.’ Cue a very (very) dirty look from one, and a quick ‘oh, he’s West Ham’ from the other. Well, I was only saying…
Of course, everyone loves Griffin Park, with the pub about 50 yards from the turnstiles. So make the most of it, they plan to be out within 2 years. In disseminating their plans in the programme, Brentford also admitted they had a problem on where to house the club offices, since there wouldn’t be room at the new stadium. WTF? They can build a 20,000 ground, and quite a few houses to boot, but yet not find room for a couple of offices? I am confused. I think they need a better architect.
We cosied up behind the goal, ready for the expected onslaught. And it came. It’s great when all the action’s at your end. Davies smothered one when clean through, while a shot which was going in was blocked by Lindsay. The midfield, containing Gardner (‘he’s not even a good gardner!’) and Moncur lived up to its pre-match billing: woeful. Nevermind the front 2, Thiam and Bradshaw. Have they actually played well in a game in which they’re STARTED together? Cos if they have, I can’t remember it. I don’t know what’s worse: Bradshaw on his own up top or the pair of them together. No need to worry, we’ve got Ugbo on the bench. ‘I’d pack him off an’ all’ said one Reds fan I overheard. I concur.
So, we scraped to half time despite not having had a kick of the ball. I lost count of how many times I heard ‘we’re not gonna hold out’ but the quota increased when I stood next to Nozzer 2nd half. At least I was stillin range of Loko going apoplectic at Moncur every time he went near the ball. All good fun! At least you could see Moncur (it must be that stupid top knot – would God approve?). Gardner shuffles about aimlessly. Actually, while I think on – is this the 1st point for a Barnsley midfield containing Gardner? Hecky: you’ve won your bet. You don’t have to play him anymore.
The rain then seriously started coming down. A time for big strong northerners to show their mettle. Step forward Super Georgie Moncur, running things from wide midfield. (Hammill is officially now 3rd at best in the wing pecking order behind Potts and Moncur.) Flashes of skill, laying balls off, keeping possession. What a shame that when he actually could have done some damage, he completely miscontrolled a long ball which could have sent him clean through. Oh well. At least we’d recovered some sense of pride amongst the team and support. But hang on, there’s still time for Brentford to cut inside from the left and unleash a shot which arrowed towards the far bottom corner – only for Davies to tip it around the post. A fitting end to a super performance from Davies. Let’s hope it continues.
*** Davies. Saved everything, caught everything (in the rain!) and kicked everything onto the pitch. A job well done.
** Lindsay. A key reason why, for all Brentford’s possession, they had few decent efforts on target
* Pearson. As above. Only last 50 minutes, but it was the toughest 50 minutes.
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| Nice touch....Xmas at Waterloo Station ticket office. |
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE! The rot has stopped. After 5 defeats in a row the Super Reds finally scrape a point! And scrape we did, an outstanding performance from the centre halves and keeper restricting Brentford’s first half dominance from burying us alive. Then, with our tails up 2nd half, we had Moncur pulling the strings for 20 minutes and we very nearly pinched it when Barnes sent in a low cross and Bradshaw cleared the bar. A difficult chance, but a chance nonetheless. I don’t think the sheeting rain helped, but it was nice to see what we COULD do. What we USED to do, before Barnes lost all his form (Bradshaw has remained consistent).
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| Welcome to ... |
After a couple of errands in the morning, I rocked up to Waterloo to narrowly miss one train and have the next one cancelled. Great. Meant I had to hang out with the Slacks and Nice Guy Chris. It was lovely really. I’ve never seen Ian moan at young Jake before,but like every other teenager in the land, Jake is perennially hungry (greedy)…though giving him a tenner to go and get something seemed extraordinarily generous. Needless to say the tykester came back with A Burger King meal.
 |
| The Royal Oak...re-open for business (back to a pub on all 4 corners). |
We encamped to the Griffin. Why change a winning habit after last year’s 2-0? I think the highlight was when Reedy came back from the bar with about 8 beers and upon dishing them out I heard ‘oh, Allan didn’t want one.’ Did I not? Woulda been nice to have been asked. Ian got one, and I was at exactly the same stage of pint he was. Duly noted, I got up, waded through the crowd, bought my own beer and then chatted on to a couple of Brentford at the bar who were discussing who they wanted to see relegated from the Prem. ‘I tell ya who I’d like to see go down’, I said. ‘It’s be great to see West Ham get relegated and the Olympic Stadium in the Championship.’ Cue a very (very) dirty look from one, and a quick ‘oh, he’s West Ham’ from the other. Well, I was only saying…
 |
| Merry Xmas...(I missed the teams coming out). |
Of course, everyone loves Griffin Park, with the pub about 50 yards from the turnstiles. So make the most of it, they plan to be out within 2 years. In disseminating their plans in the programme, Brentford also admitted they had a problem on where to house the club offices, since there wouldn’t be room at the new stadium. WTF? They can build a 20,000 ground, and quite a few houses to boot, but yet not find room for a couple of offices? I am confused. I think they need a better architect.
 |
| They don't build overhangs like this anymore. Cosy. |
We cosied up behind the goal, ready for the expected onslaught. And it came. It’s great when all the action’s at your end. Davies smothered one when clean through, while a shot which was going in was blocked by Lindsay. The midfield, containing Gardner (‘he’s not even a good gardner!’) and Moncur lived up to its pre-match billing: woeful. Nevermind the front 2, Thiam and Bradshaw. Have they actually played well in a game in which they’re STARTED together? Cos if they have, I can’t remember it. I don’t know what’s worse: Bradshaw on his own up top or the pair of them together. No need to worry, we’ve got Ugbo on the bench. ‘I’d pack him off an’ all’ said one Reds fan I overheard. I concur.
 |
| A busy looking Bill Axbey Stand. |
So, we scraped to half time despite not having had a kick of the ball. I lost count of how many times I heard ‘we’re not gonna hold out’ but the quota increased when I stood next to Nozzer 2nd half. At least I was stillin range of Loko going apoplectic at Moncur every time he went near the ball. All good fun! At least you could see Moncur (it must be that stupid top knot – would God approve?). Gardner shuffles about aimlessly. Actually, while I think on – is this the 1st point for a Barnsley midfield containing Gardner? Hecky: you’ve won your bet. You don’t have to play him anymore.
 |
| A rare 1st half foray into Brentford's half. |
The rain then seriously started coming down. A time for big strong northerners to show their mettle. Step forward Super Georgie Moncur, running things from wide midfield. (Hammill is officially now 3rd at best in the wing pecking order behind Potts and Moncur.) Flashes of skill, laying balls off, keeping possession. What a shame that when he actually could have done some damage, he completely miscontrolled a long ball which could have sent him clean through. Oh well. At least we’d recovered some sense of pride amongst the team and support. But hang on, there’s still time for Brentford to cut inside from the left and unleash a shot which arrowed towards the far bottom corner – only for Davies to tip it around the post. A fitting end to a super performance from Davies. Let’s hope it continues.
 |
| Is that us nearly nicking it? |
*** Davies. Saved everything, caught everything (in the rain!) and kicked everything onto the pitch. A job well done.
** Lindsay. A key reason why, for all Brentford’s possession, they had few decent efforts on target
* Pearson. As above. Only last 50 minutes, but it was the toughest 50 minutes.
Londontykes MOTM: 1. Lindsay 2. Davies 3. Pearson
Despatches:Having a lowish view, I can’t say I was an expert on every performance, but I could see McCarthy was showing the winger too much on his outside, though at least Yiadom’s defending was an improvement on lately. I can’t say we ever looked like scoring and, barring a miracle (Bradshaw scoring 2 next week at Fulham) I am in the money. Still, it is the time the little baby Jesus was conceived by the Virgin Mary and Gabriel’s mate, the Big G, so’s all not lost yet.
Onwards and upwards!
Drink du jour: Pioneer lager. Average. Then Weihenstephaner at the Waterloo Tap. Above average. Home in time for the Strictly result. Joy.
Away: c900. Good atmosphere, before another terrace bites the dust. Let’s hope we play here next year. (Hang on though, I’ve only gone and bet 20 quid we’ll go down. Oh dear.)
The Damage:
£20 ent
£3.50 prog
= £23.50
The Tunes:
Ghetto Style (Gil Scott Heron)
Cypress Hill III Temples of Boom (Cypress Hill)
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| Griffin Park panorama |
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| Davies about to launch it. |
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| Danish Bees. |
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| Half time ents, Xmas-style. |
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| Back of the away end. |
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| 'Maximum price £20.00' |
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