Tight clash expected on Saturday

Last updated : 03 August 2005 By Chris Mumby
It has been a busy summer at Griffin Park with several older pro's including John Salako, Deon Burton, Andy Myers, Stewart Talbot, and Chris Hargreaves leaving the club.

In have come a host of new arrivals including the likes of Lloyd Owusu, DJ Campbell and Paul Brooker, but Ben feels it will take time for the new players to settle in, and that the squad may have not been strengthened enough.

"The boss has replaced only half the players we released but the luck we've had with injuries recently I think our squad is a bit lightweight.

"I was sad to see Burton go as he was a good player, also our captain Talbot left which has left a bit of a gap in our side.

"Apart from that im excited about the new boys, eager to see what Lloyd Owusu can do back in a Brentford shirt and Im looking forward to watching how DJ Campbell (of Yeading fame) can adapt."

Ben picks out Brooker, who has arrived from Reading, as the key man this season.

"From what I've seen pre season it looks like Paul Brooker will be the gauge of how well we play," he added.

"He's been influential in everything good during pre-season but when he hasnt played we've looked very easy to break down and not very creative."

Bees boss Martin Allen has won huge acclaim since joining from Barnet, and 'Mad Dog' has received much favourable publicity for his unconventional management methods, which have proved very successful.

Ben explained: "There was chat about him going to Millwall over the summer and I think our chances would have significantly decreased with his not at the club.

"He talks a good game and he usually makes the right decision. He's pushed us on from a relegation battling team to one which challenged for Championship football last season, it'll be interesting how he handles the pressure of success expected this year."

Onto the subject of Saturday's game, Ben is rather cagey, predicting a 1-1 draw, believing the match, which Brentford are favourites to win, is a difficult opener.

"It's certainly going to be a tough game, I dont know too much about Scunny to be honest. I know you battled hard last season to gain promotion after leading for some of the way," said Ben.

"It's certainly going to be tight and playing against an unknown quantity is more risky than playing against a world class side. I think as usual whoever controls the midfield on the tight Griffin Park pitch will come out on top."


Visit BeesMad for all the latest news and views from the Brentford camp ahead of Saturday's game.