Brentford

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City are making progress in their talks to sign Brentford defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka before Monday's transfer deadline.

The 28‑year‑old is also attracting interest from Sheffield United and is expected to decide his future within the next 24 hours.

Brentford have made the Nigeria international available for transfer after he became frustrated by a lack of first‑team opportunities under Keith Andrews, having experienced similar frustration during Thomas Frank's tenure.

Frank Lampard's Coventry sit three points clear at the top of the Championship but have just two wins in their last six league games and have not kept a clean sheet since 26 December.

Sheffield United are 17th but remain not entirely out of contention for the play‑offs in a congested table, nine points off the top six.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I hate playing against Sean Dyche teams. It's nothing against him personally but he seems to have Brentford's number.

Sunday's defeat by Nottingham Forest means he has now won seven of his nine games against us across three clubs.

It was a frustrating match with us - as at Chelsea - missing at least four decent chances, but unlike at Stamford Bridge, our performance wasn't great.

We had plenty of possession - especially in the second half - but did very little with it and Forest keeper Matz Sels had a quiet afternoon.

Unusually for us we only had one shot on target from 10 attempts, when normally well over 50% of our efforts are goalbound.

Having said that Caoimhin Kelleher was also underemployed, with Forest only having two efforts on target - but annoyingly for us they both went in.

We really could have done with something against Forest, with hard fixtures at Aston Villa and Newcastle and home to Arsenal next up.

Sunday was our second consecutive 2-0 defeat and if those next three matches go the wrong way, a run of five successive defeats is not impossible.

You could tell it wasn't going to be our day when Mikkel Damsgaard, who was having a great game, and Kristoffer Ajer both went down injured at the same time in different parts of the pitch and had to be substituted.

It was a disappointing end to a big week for Ajer, who, like Vitaly Janelt the previous week, signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The fact that two 27-year-olds - arguably a footballer's peak age - have chosen to commit a lengthy period of their careers to Brentford shows we must be doing something right.

They have each earned a regular place in the team recently and clearly have big parts to play under Keith Andrews.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Neil: We dominated but it was clear that the system wasn't going to unlock the Forest defence. Changes should have been made before Forest's second - it's been a bit of a thing with the manager not changing things when it is obviously not working. Frustrating but hey ho, onwards and upwards towards Villa next.

Tim: Could somebody tell Keith Andrews that he is allowed to change his tactics during a match, as his current approach is to play Plan A; and if that fails to do the same thing. Today we were Dyched once again, but despite Nelson and Donovan on the bench he made the same subs he always makes. Horribly flat performance.

Les: No plan B. Chelsea and Forest had three shots on target each and scored four goals. Set pieces - it's like we do not have a set piece coach. We can't seem to win balls in the air on the attacking front.

Rob: Poor performance by Bees. Insipid and out of ideas in the final third as they moved the ball too slowly and decision making/technical quality wasn't there. Forest were good for 15 minutes and probably deserved the lead at half-time, but it was two poor teams on display in the second. For some reason, Dyche has the hoodoo over us!

Forest fans

Ian: All that noise and negativity after the Braga game, trust in Dyche! It was a masterclass from him and it was only possible by his choices in midweek. Premier League survival is clearly the most important priority, the Europa League doesn't even begin to come close second. Our Europa game on Thursday is also not as important as beating Crystal Palace next Sunday. Do that and we're right back in the mix. COYR. Keep calm and carry on!

Mark: A good solid away performance. A draw would have been good, but the deserved win was hard earned.

Joe: Was that the Forest of last year again? Score an early counterattack, defend, clean sheet. Job done!

Trevor: Excellent victory for Forest - defended really well and took the chances with two brilliant finishes, top six here we come.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on iPlayer

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal v Man Utd

• Newcastle v Aston Villa

• Crystal Palace v Chelsea

• Brentford v Nottingham Forest

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford have adapted well to life after long-term manager Thomas Frank and captain Christian Norgaard, who joined Arsenal, in the summer.

New boss Keith Andrews has ensured the Gtech Community Stadium is a fortress with only the Premier League's top three - Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa - picking up more points on their own patch this season.

But Brentford were well below their usual standards on Sunday when strugglers Nottingham Forest came to town.

Had top scorer Igor Thiago put away his chance in the opening two minutes then it might have been a different story, however, Forest broke the deadlock through Igor Jesus shortly after and showed resilience in defence.

Brentford dominated possession and territory for large periods but lacked the creative edge in the final third to really threaten.

The Bees failed to register a single shot on target in the second half and were then hit on the counter when Taiwo Awoniyi wrapped up a 2-0 win for the visitors.

Victory would have moved Brentford, who sit eighth, up to sixth in the league and Andrews will be hoping they can brush this performance is a one off rather than a sign that things are starting to slide.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Nottingham Forest: "We started the game well, conceded a goal we shouldn't have done, and then lost our way for 15 or 20 minutes.

"After that we controlled the game until a transitional moment which brought their second game. We weren't clinical enough.

"We've done enough on the creation front, whether it's set-pieces or crosses, but not taken them.

"If we're being self-critical then we need to look at ourselves for how we conceded the goals.

"The reality is they have had two shots and come away with three points."

On striker Igor Thiago: "We didn't feed him enough and he's closely marked now, everyone knows about him and how he plays, so we need to find new ways to provide service for him."

Did you know?

• Brentford lost their first Premier League home game in eight matches (W5 D2). Meanwhile, the Bees have failed to score in five of their last six defeats at home in the league - as many blanks as they endured across their previous 18 losses on home soil.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Brentford saw a six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League ended via a 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend, but boss Keith Andrews sticks with the same eleven.

The Bees boast the fourth best home record in the league and climb as high as fourth in the standings if they pick up a win today.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Henry, Ajer, Collins, Kayode, Janelt, Yarmolyuk, Damsgaard, Jensen, Schade, Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Ouattara, Lewis-Potter, Donovan.

Sean Dyche also goes with an unchanged lineup from Nottingham Forest's last Premier League outing when they held league leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw.

Forest did play on Thursday in the Europa League, losing 1-0 at Braga, and have won just one of their last eight across all competitions.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus.

Subs: Gunna, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Bakwa, Savona.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Man Utd (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the three 14:00 games here

And go here for Arsenal v Man Utd

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Manchester United", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

It's the teams beginning with B that I am struggling most with this season - I don't seem able to predict what Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth will do. I am not confident about getting Brentford right this time either.

On paper, this seems pretty straightforward because they are so strong at home and Igor Thiago is in brilliant form, but I can see Nottingham Forest making it difficult for them because of the way they play.

From what I've seen of Brentford this season, their gameplan is to keep it tight and look to counter quickly but Forest will do exactly the same.

With Sean Dyche's side being so deep, they won't leave any space behind and they will also be looking to score on the break.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Brentford's excellent home form has been pivotal in their charge towards a European place this season and they will fancy their chances on Sunday against a Nottingham Forest side with just one win in their last six league games.

The seventh-placed Bees have lost just once at the Gtech Community Stadium all season, with only the current top three of Arsenal (29), Manchester City (26) and Aston Villa (25) earning more home points than the 24 amassed by Keith Andrews' side.

Bees sting late on

With Forest coming off the back of a tiring and troublesome midweek defeat in the Europa League, Brentford will be poised to utilise one of their most effective weapons this campaign – the late goal.

The west Londoners have scored 13 goals from the 75th minute onwards in league fixtures this season – more than any other top-flight club. Conversely, nobody has conceded more than Forest's 12 during the same period of games.

Having struck out on his own as the top Brazilian scorer in any Premier League season with 16, frontman Igor Thiago now has another target in his sights. The last South American player to break the 20-goal barrier in a campaign was Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, who netted 21 in 2018-19.

Dyche despairs at defeat

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche and his players faced the wrath of their travelling support as a much-changed team slumped to a 1-0 Europa League defeat against Sporting Braga on Thursday.

Dyche put the defeat down to "one minute of madness", with Morgan Gibbs-White's penalty miss compounded by an own goal from Ryan Yates a mere 55 seconds later.

Despite his spot-kick woe on the continent, Gibbs-White's league tally of five makes him the Reds' top scorer, and, encouragingly, he has bagged a goal in each of their last two league away games.

Forest missing Wood

In the absence of last season's top scorer Chris Wood, Forest's failure to find the net is eye-catchingly pronounced – undoubtedly one of the main reasons they find themselves in 17th place, just five points clear of the drop zone.

Only rock-bottom Wolves (15) have scored fewer goals in the league than Forest's 21, and nobody has failed to find the net in more games than the 11 blanks registered by Dyche's men.

One thing the visitors can cling to is Dyche's impressive record against the Bees. The former Burnley and Everton boss has won four of his six Premier League meetings with Brentford, his highest win rate (67%) against any side he's faced more than twice.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The shock defeats of Manchester City by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League and of Crystal Palace by Macclesfield in the FA Cup had one thing in common - both ties were played on plastic pitches.

Four English clubs - QPR, Luton, Preston and Oldham - had such surfaces in the 1980s and early 1990s, before they were banned from the English professional game over issues with ball roll and bounce and fears over long-term injuries.

They have not been allowed since in the Premier League or Football League, with any promoted clubs who play on artificial surfaces - such as Sutton United in 2021 - having to replace them with grass pitches.

The City and Palace results should serve as a warning to Brentford, who are the next side to visit Macclesfield in the FA Cup, in the fourth round on 16 February.

While neither Pep Guardiola or Oliver Glasner blamed the pitches for their defeats, Bees boss Keith Andrews will need to have his preparation spot-on to avoid becoming the victim of another giant-killing.

And given our performance in the FA Cup third round at Sheffield Wednesday, I think he will.

Although we have a game against Arsenal only four days before the trip to Moss Rose, I am sure that Andrews will find time to train the squad on an artificial surface ahead of the tie.

I also think that - as at Hillsborough - he will name a strong matchday squad to avoid any slip-ups.

You could argue that artificial pitches should be banned from all competitions as they give the clubs who play on them every week an unfair advantage.

However, I don't think that would be right.

All grounds have their own quirks with which the home team are familiar, so sides just have to get on with it and not make excuses - not that Brentford would if we got knocked out.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

"Versatile defender" Kristoffer Ajer has signed a new deal with Brentford to extend his stay with the club until 2030.

The 27-year-old, who joined from Scottish Premiership giants Celtic in 2021, has agreed a four-year contract, with a club option of a further year.

Ajer arrived at the beginning of the Bees' Premier League journey and made his debut in their memorable 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening day in 2021-22.

He has now made 113 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and notching up five assists, while providing an option across the back line.

This season, the Norway international has featured 16 times in the league, both at centre-back and left-back, and provided an assist for Fabio Carvalho's last-minute equaliser against Chelsea in September.

Speaking to club media about Ajer's new deal, head coach Keith Andrews said: "I'm delighted that Kris has agreed a new deal.

"He's been here since the start of the Premier League era, and he's played a big role at the club - not just on the pitch, but off it as well.

"Kris is a really popular character amongst the other players, and he's an experienced player now.

"He's someone who falls into a bracket I want to keep hold of, rather than looking elsewhere to sign players. Sometimes, as a coach, you can be too keen to look over the fence instead of looking at what's already in your own garden.

"He has been a very versatile defender for us, and a big part of the culture of the group."

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 14:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns and Andrews is "hopeful" Jordan Henderson, who has been back on the grass, will be involved on Sunday.

• On facing Forest in his first game in charge: "That was an example of how to deal with a bad day at the office and how tough the league is. I'm delighted with the progress we've made since then."

• On Sean Dyche's Forest: "He's a vastly experienced manager, we're under no illusions that it'll be a very, very difficult game. They've got some really talented individuals, having spent significant sums over the last few windows."

• On Vitaly Janelt: "He's crucial to the group. I'm big on the club ethos and the people that know that and understand that are really important - and he comes into that category. That's brilliant, but you still need to perform on the pitch."

• On transfers: "If it feels right we will do it, but we don't need to force anything."

• Andrews is "in no rush" to allow either Ethan Pinnock or Frank Onyeka to leave, and he understands their situation regarding wanting minutes.

• He said Europe wasn't an ambition initially and their current position is "a surprise" - but acknowledges that there is a long way to go in this season.

• On Rico Henry's 100th appearance: "He's in a really good vein of form. He looks strong, quick, like the games don't faze him in the slightest."

• On the "immense" dirty work which Igor Thiago does off the ball: "He does everything for the team, he absolutely empties himself every single week. A true team player."

• Andrews sees teams altering their game plans out of "respect" for Brentford's "difficult" home ground.

• On Forest's "surprising" drop in form: "The levels are that high in the Premier League that if you're not quite on it, you can quickly become unstuck."

• On how to create a strong culture: "Ultimately [it's about] your behaviours on a day-to-day basis and how you treat people and how consistently you do things. I say to the players all the time that what you do when no-one is looking is the key."

• On having a wealth of full-back options: "It's really important. They provide versatility and flexibility in terms of how you can play the game. I'm enjoying the options we have there."

• On Romelle Donovan and how his appearance against Chelsea can inspire his B team-mates: "It was a big moment for him and he deserved it. He looked really comfortable. I think it's the way a club should work. I believe in young players, I believe in giving them opportunities."

You can listen to full commentary of Brentford v Forest on BBC Radio Sports Extra 2 on Sunday

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?

With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.

• Read more detail on how clubs have been affected by injuries here

Brentford and Nigeria defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka, 28, is being chased by Championship duo Sheffield United and Coventry City for a January move, while Valencia are also interested. (Standard), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There are ways to lose and ways to lose.

No-one likes to watch their side get beaten, but when it does happen, you want it to be in the way Brentford went down at Chelsea on Saturday.

We left Stamford Bridge feeling hard done by, frustrated but incredibly proud after dominating the game, playing really well, creating plenty of chances and showing fight and spirit.

The goals we conceded came from a deflection and an error, and the fact that Chelsea's only second-half shot was the penalty shows how unlucky we were not to get anything from the game.

Contrast the feeling we had on Saturday with how we felt leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only six weeks ago.

Our 2-0 defeat there was incomparable to Saturday. On that day, we were terrible, created little ourselves and constantly gave the ball away.

The difference between the two shows how far we've come in a short space of time.

Everyone played well at Chelsea. Yes, the odd mistake cost us, but that's going to happen when you come up against multi-million-pound players.

A big contrast in price to those megastars is Vitaly Janelt, who cost us about £500,000 in 2020.

What a bargain he has proved to be, and it was brilliant to wake up to the news on Saturday that he had signed a new long-term contract with the club.

In a club interview afterwards, Janelt said he could only think of a handful of clubs where there is such a nice group of players and such a good group who look after them, and felt that factor had contributed to our success.

Janelt fits in perfectly, and if he can maintain his form of recent weeks now that he is free of injury, he is going to play a crucial role in the years to come.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Danny: It was far from a convincing victory, but we won and go again. I'm not convinced this new manager will have time to stamp his own tactics very quickly. The goalkeeper is a good shot-stopper and that's it. We need a settled back four and Estevao Willian and Cole Palmer need to be on the pitch at the same time. Wingers need to take on full-backs and get crosses in rather than checking their runs and passing it sideways. Fans want to watch a team on the front foot. Let's see what happens.

Chris: Another woeful defensive showing and against a more ruthless attacking force we would have been buried. Far too easy to get through and around I'm afraid! Liam Rosenior needs to sort the defence ASAP and then get us a world-class striker and goalkeeper to have any chance of future success.

Pete: Sometimes you have to win ugly and ride your luck. That's exactly what Chelsea have done and need to carry on with the work-rate to climb the table. Good luck to Rosenior - he'll need it.

Flora: Chelsea were so poor defensively yet again. Sanchez saved us. He did well after Wednesday's errors. It's not often you win 2-0 and say we were lucky not to lose! We need new decent defenders and a coach who understands the Premier League.

Brentford fans

Gavin: A creditable performance that deserved at least a draw. However, if you don't score at least once from four gilt-edged chances you end up losing to teams like Chelsea. Brentford will probably play as well and win this season. You pay for your mistakes.

Will: An unlucky bounce and a lapse of concentration ultimately separates us from a £1bn team. We played well and created enough chances, just did not capitalise on them. I would love to see us shooting more rather than always looking to pass in the final third. We go again...

Stanley: Brentford deserved something from the game.

Tim: No lack of courage from the players, but a worrying lack of courage from the coach. More than matching Chelsea at the Bridge, and conceding from a mistake and a rebound is OK. But it's always the same substitutes, playing safe when Romelle Donovan, Reiss Nelson or even Kaye Furo would have given something different. An opportunity missed!

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-0 Brentford

• Tottenham 1-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal