Football Season Guide

Brentford are a club well placed for a crack towards the top of the Championship after a decent couple of years. The Bees were famed for their incredible number of shots last term, their failure to take chances one of the reasons why they did not quite make the play-offs. Certainly in Dean Smith, the subject of interest from West Brom over the summer, they have a man at the helm capable of getting the best out of his players. He has a plan and a system, something that few Championship clubs have had consistently over the last couple of years. It has been a so far quiet pre-season. Said Benrahma appears to be a decent signing from Nice and will supplement the attack. Ezri Konsa adds to a back line as does Julian Jeanvier who has arrived late. Brentford could not keep hold of defender Andreas Bjelland and there is concern that Chris Mepham, a real find last season, could be sold. Additionally attackers Florian Jozefzoon and Ollie Watkins have both been subject of bids from other clubs over the summer and now the former has gone to Derby. This could be the season where Alan Judge shines again. He returned towards the end of last term after a lengthy injury and will now be keen to return to his pre-injury form. Griffin Park could also be important for Brentford again. The tight-knit traditional ground makes it difficult for opposing teams to play at. It also looks like being the last full season the venue is in use before the Bees move to a new stadium.