JUDE FACING A NERVY END TO BRUM RUN
On the brink of the Premier League, Brentford’s story has a sting in the tail
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Gregory
POST-LOCKDOWN, it was football’s most compelling story, a seemingly inevitable march towards the riches of the Premier League. of that was written on pained faces, like Josh Dasilva’s (above), at the end.
The play-offs? After a run like that? It will feel like failure. Well, for all bar one of the Bees players. Sergi Canos has been sidelined for the best part of 10 months with a knee injury. So, even in defeat, his first game back felt like a small triumph. And the play-offs? For him they are a chance for redemption.
“Of course the result isn’t the one we wanted, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world,” he said.
“We’ve been fighting since the first game of the season and we will keep fighting to the end.
“It is frustrating. But from a personal point of view, if it comes to the play-offs, then I would be fit and raring to go.
“It’s been a long road back – it has been one of the toughest journeys of my life, the most difficult time of my career, so it feels amazing that the manager trusted me to get on the pitch.” Brentford had two clear penalty shouts but no clear plan to break down Stoke’s defence.
If West Brom win their final game, they go up and sentence Brentford to the play-offs – and a possible London derby with Fulham in the final. Their only hope? Another London rival, QPR, who face West Brom. A delicious irony.
“QPR? I don’t know what to say about that,” Brentford boss Thomas Frank said.
“I hope and expect they’ll go out and do everything they can to win points for their club. We hope for a favour and, if we get one, we’re ready.”
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BRENTFORD:
MOTM
ADAM DAVIES (STOKE)
IT DOESN’T matter how old you are, failure hurts – especially in the Championship.
Birmingham’s Jude Bellingham may be off to start a new life with Borussia Dortmund but he cut a dejected figure after a defeat that leaves his current club perched on the relegation precipice.
It will be a nervy finale for the 17-year-old midfielder (above) before his switch to Germany.
Only victory against Derby on Wednesday will guarantee Championship football at St. Andrew’s next season, though a draw will probably suffice.
Preston’s Paul Gallagher, on the other hand, is 35 and hopes merely to extend his stay at Deepdale for another crack at reaching the Premier League.
Gallagher, who assisted in both goals for Patrick Bauer and Brad Potts, said: “I’ve played 30 games this season, so I still feel I’m a key member of the squad.
“We’re not making any excuses about not reaching the play-offs. At the end of the day we just weren’t good enough, though it hurts me to say that.”
Brum caretaker boss Steve Spooner knows his team will have to be strong against Derby after 13 games without a win.
“I won’t have to say anything about what is required.” he said. “Everybody’s pride is at stake.”
Preston face Bristol City in their final game, with manager Alex Neil stating: “We haven’t made the play-offs, but expectations have shifted since I’ve been here.
“When I first arrived we were happy to just compete in the Championship, but that’s not the case any more. I think we have to put things into perspective.”
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