_Brentford vs NUFC: Premiership 2024/5 Game 15 for the Mags: W5 D5 L4_
_**Date:** Saturday 7 December 2024, 3pm at the Gtech Stadium, West London; no live TV apart from JoeLinton’s dodgy FireStick._
_**Quizzy Rascal**: What is the furthest round Brentford have been in the FA Cup?_
_**Football Trivia**: Brentford’s rise up the league and success is widely attributed to their exceedingly popular Chairman: Matthew Benham, a former hedge fund manager who utilises statistics to assist with buying under-valued players, positioning at set-pieces and analyses of players’ key performance indicators to maximise training regimes. ‘Moneyball’ as it is commonly known._
_If you are interested in the more cerebral aspects of the game, have a two minute read at: [Matthew Benham – Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Benham)_
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Bloody hell the games are coming thick and fast.
No sooner have we just had that fantastic see-saw 3-3 versus Liverpool, three days later NUFC are down at the Gtech Stadium, up against the immaculately coiffured Thomas Frank’s Brentford.
I’ve seen the last two NUFC League aways at Brentford’s relatively new ground and it is an ace little venue. Our pal Lee Forster let rip around the Preview Writers’ Round Table that he thought it was just a shitty little ground; but I think the ground is canny, plenty of transport options, decent booze inside and close to many pleasant places to drink and make merry in the more salubrious side of Landan Town.
To be fair, Lee has taken our advice and is off down to experience what has been a happy hunting ground for The Mags recently. However, I fear for young Lee’s happiness and sanity as the Bi-Polar Mags (copyright – Grace Laidler) are in full roar and have not travelled well.
I got a bit of ‘comment’ grief from a certain Mike Ashleigh (shurely a pseudonym) after stating, in my preview prior to Forest: “I’ll admit it, I had started to turn against His Eddiness”. However, I stand by that, this season has been a tough watch, and NUFC still seem to lack adaptability and flexibility. A hugely embarrassing 0.02 ‘Expected Goals’ away at Palace with zero shots on target is a huge concern going into this fixture; even with a goal-laden 3-3er to gladden Tyneside hearts on Wednesday just gone.
> [FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Brentford 1 (Da Silva 66′), Newcastle United 0 – League Cup Quarter Final, 22 December 2020](https://true-faith.co.uk/brentford-ff/)
In previous previews, I have made no secret of my admiration for Bees’ manager Thomas Frank, the way he sets his team up, the front-foot attacking football, his intellect, his easy-going, jokey manner post-match and, obviously, his fantastic hair. I remain impressed at the job he is doing at the minnows of the Premiership. Currently, Brentford and NUFC are side-by-side in exact midtable with just a single goal of difference separating them.
The Bees have an almost perfect home league record this season (6 wins and just 1 draw, 1-1 versus West Ham, late September) and score plenty goals, but have only grabbed a single point away (0-0 at Everton). Brentford’s great home run, based on almost ceaseless attack, is balanced up against the fact NUFC like to counter-attack, have a great record away at Brentford and the simple fact that all runs have to come to an end.
Man to Watch – Yoane Wissa: quick, intelligent, eye for goal, reminds me a bit of Ian Wright – but more mild tempered on the pitch. The Wisster-meister was my punt for NUFC to buy in the summer; but the sale of Ivan Toney meant the shrewd Bees would never leave themselves so low on numbers up front – if only NUFC thought the same. He can play as a fox in the box striker or as a winger – and looks fit as a lop at 28 years old. On the transfer radar – who knows?
I’m hoping NUFC’s good streak at the Gtech continues, and also hope the Bees’ decent home run comes to an end. My punt is Tony G scores in a 1-3 away win. Then again, I’m second bottom of our Predictor League and NUFC’s away form is flakier then The Singing Detective (ask ya Mum) – so read into that what you may.
Anyhoos: There or armchair (or hooky FireStick, or good old wireless): Enjoy the game!
Freeman Mag
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Answer: Quarter-Finals – 4 times. Find the years on Wiki yerself.