High scoring, famous wins and currently sitting eighth in the table – Brentford have had an impressive start to the season which has only been matched by their transfer window business.
Thomas Frank’s side smashed their previous highest overall expenditure to strengthen their squad with a mix of exciting youthful talent and experienced heads which should give them more than enough to achieve Premier League survival once again.
The most impressive arrival has been Aaron Hickey, who, although predominantly a left-sided player, has excelled in the perpetual problem of Brentford’s right-back position.
Hickey’s marauding energy has complemented that of Rico Henry on the other flank, adding a much-needed defensive balance and was particularly impressive during the recent 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
It’s a backline that has been blighted by injuries in the opening month of the season though, with the signings of veteran centre-backs Ben Mee and returning Zanka proving more than useful as the Bees continue without the sidelined Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock.
Although both have struggled against pace, their experience and know-how has not only steadied the defensive ship but been enough for head coach Thomas Frank to allow Mads Bech Sorensen to join French side Nice on a season-long loan.
Of course, it has helped that goalkeeper David Raya continues to perform at his very best – although Thomas Strakosha’s arrival from Lazio provides excellent back-up should the Spaniard have an enforced lay-off similar to last season.
Brentford have also quickly moved on from the Christian Eriksen saga, not only with the humbling 4-0 win over his new club Manchester United but with the signings of Keane Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard.
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Both are exciting prospects who are still adjusting to the Premier League but have already shown glimpses that they will be excellent additions to Brentford’s attacking artillery.
It’s a frontline that’s already managed to score 15 goals in six games, equal to that of Liverpool (who scored 9 against Bournemouth) and only bettered by current Premier League champions Manchester City.
Furthermore, seeing the likes of Damsgaard, Yoane Wissa and Josh Dasilva come off the bench in the 5-2 victory over Leeds United epitomised the strength in depth the squad now possess.
That win not only saw the Bees get five goals in a league game for the first time since April 2021 but underlined the importance of Ivan Toney, who grabbed a sensational hat-trick on the day.
With Halil Dervisoglu completing a Deadline Day loan move to Burnley, it means Brentford are further relying on Toney as their only out-and-out striker after being unable to land other attacking targets.
The Bees failed in their pursuit of Freiburg’s Kevin Schade as well as Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk, meaning they could find themselves in trouble should talisman Toney get injured.
Frank will be hoping that’s not the case and will also be buoyed by the amount of clear cut chances his side has created so far this season (20), once again only bettered by Manchester City’s 28.
If they continue to create at the same rate as they are doing, then they should have no problem in keeping themselves well above water before the January transfer window opens.
And with key players Ajer, Pinnock and Sergi Canos expected to return to the fold shortly, there’s no reason to suggest Brentford cannot continue their upward trajectory.