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Fanzone Preview Part One

Last updated : 04 August 2005 By Smallsy
Back to the 17th May and Martin saying "Well its the morning after the night before and sadly the end of our season". Every single Bees fan and player was gutted but we had to look at the bright side.

Martin announced the players that would be leaving the club a week later. Stephen Hunt, Andy Myers, Deon Burton, John Salako, Jamie Lawrence and Stewart Talbot being released. Talbot was for family reasons. He placed Matt Harrold on the transfer list.

Now with such a small squad signings were essential but who for that matter. However there was cause for concern with Martin being linked with several managerial vacancies with Milwall being the most troubling but nothing materialised.

His first summer signing was a left back from Chelsea by the name of Sam Tillen. He had spoken of his admiration of Mourinho and possibly sweet-talked him into letting him have Tillen. His next move was for Dudley Junior Campbell or DJ as he likes to be called. DJ is an explosive striker at non-league level so lets see if he can make the step up. Ricky Newman was next to sign for Brentford. He is going to be our new super-captain. His move of bringing Olafur Ingi Skulason to the club could go down as one of the best moves he made. Another Reading player, Paul Brooker, signed for the club and is a useful right winger. Then finally on the 27th June 2005 with all the rumours before Lloyd Owusu returned to Brentford Football Club and seemed happy to be returning.

Summer Signings Completed. Now for the players to get back to training. On their first full day back, 1st July, there were no injuries and players were preparing for the, occasionally gruelling, pre-season friendlies. Unfortunately soon after the first day back Stuart Nelson needed to have a hernia operation and missed most of the friendlies.

Brentford also lost Chris Hargreaves and Matt Harrold as they left the club for pastures new. Lee San also looks set to leave as well which is another blow.

In the first match against Staines Martin fielded 2 sides. One looked roughly like a first team with the other compiling of youth team players.

Then the friendlies moved down to Bideford. Brentford picked up their first win their with a 2-0 win with Paul Brooker and Olafur Ingi Skulason.

Then the match against Conference opposition Dagenham and Redbridge. Brentford went 1-0 down early on but came back through DJ Campbell, Brooker and Rankin scoring the goals.

Our next match was the Andy Scott Benefit Match against Leyton Orient DJ Campbell again scoring but Karleigh Osbournes 25 yard effort will be remembered as Brentford won 2-0. Bankole saved a penalty as well.

Then the biggest test came against Charlton. This game saw the return of a former Brentford favourite Hermann Hreidderson. This game was lively and Francis Jeffers was forced to be subbed by the referee. Bankole saved yet another penalty, this time from Jason Euell, and looks in good form.

Brentford's first reverse came against Yeading with Lloyd Owusu getting his first goal since re-signing for the club. Brentford lost 3-1.

A performance which was not up to the required standard was what the fans got at Woking. Brentford lost 1-0 in a rather stop-start affair.

A relative youth team plus Nelson and Gayle was what the fans got at Hampton and Richmond. The good news is that Gayle played the full match but Nelson was taken off at half time. Brentford lost with a late goal.

As for the 2005/06 season the League once again looks very tight. Bristol City think they have the team together but do they have the right manager? Forest will think they are too big for this League. Well they have more of a point than Wednesday fans after winning European Cups. Tranmere and Hartlepool will be looking to banish the ghosts of last season as will we. Yeovil, S****horpe, Swansea and Southend will be looking to build after promotion last season. MK Dons will be looking up and trying to get back up the table.

I feel that if Brentford can start well and win the first few games and keep up that momentum then we stand a chance. Martin wants 51 points first. Lets try and do that in 17 games or as soon after that as possible and can keep in touch with the leaders then anything is possible.

Come On Brentford!