Brentford Week in Review, Monday 9th November: Ten-Man Brentford Beaten at Brighton After Thiago Red Card
It's been a tough week to be a Bees fan. Brentford travelled to the Amex on Sunday for what Keith Andrews had already billed as their toughest game of the season against an in-form Brighton side (West London Sport) (The Sun), and it turned into a miserable afternoon. Diego Gomez fired the Seagulls ahead with a stunning strike before Igor Thiago was sent off in the first half for pushing a Brighton opponent in the face following a VAR review, leaving Brentford to play the majority of the game with ten men (The Sun) (Sky Sports) (talkSPORT) (West London Sport). Brighton added a second through Pascal Gross to seal a 2-0 win that moved them up to second in the Premier League as the division heads into the November international break (Sky Sports) (The Guardian) (BrentfordFC.com).
Andrews was left to question how VAR had been used in the aftermath, feeling the red card proved costly to his side's chances (West London Sport). He and Kris Ajer both gave their reaction to the defeat, while the BBC's post-match interview captured the manager's thoughts on a frustrating day on the south coast (BrentfordFC.com) (BBC Sport). One Brentford fan, speaking to the BBC, pointed to a wider discipline issue in the squad as a concern following the loss (BBC Sport). Thiago himself came in for criticism over his reaction once the red card was shown (talkSPORT).
Before the Brighton trip, there had been team news to digest. Andrews gave updates on Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo, with Milambo considered unlikely to be involved as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury (BrentfordFC.com) (West London Sport). Aaron Hickey was recalled to the starting line-up in place of Mathias Jensen, the only change Andrews made from the side's recent selection (West London Sport) (BrentfordFC.com).
Away from first-team results, Josh Oladapo-Gamu spoke about how working with Brentford's coaching staff has sharpened his set-piece threat (BrentfordFC.com). The Guardian carried a lengthy feature on Mamadou Sangaré, Brentford's Mali midfielder, charting his rise to the Premier League since his £39m move and the impression he made on scouts as a young boy (The Guardian). Michael Kayode has also been nominated for the Premier League's Creative Moment of the Month award (BrentfordFC.com). Off the pitch, Brentford were recognised with the Best Fan Engagement prize at an industry awards ceremony (BrentfordFC.com). On a less welcome note, TeamTalk reported that Chelsea and Liverpool have shown interest in a £40m-rated Brentford player, though the report suggests the club are not currently considering a sale (TeamTalk). Elsewhere, Sky Sports noted that former Brentford boss Thomas Frank is being linked as a contender to take over at Crystal Palace (Sky Sports).
In the age-group and cup football, it was a mixed week. Brentford's U21s suffered a Premier League 2 defeat at Wheatsheaf Park, going down 2-0 to Wolves U21s, with Jack Saunders giving his reaction afterwards (BrentfordFC.com). The U21s will be looking to bounce back with upcoming fixtures against Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy and Wolves in Premier League 2 (BrentfordFC.com) (Sports Mole).
It was a much brighter picture for the women's team. Brentford Women thrashed AFC Greenwich Borough 7-0 away from home in the League Cup, with Wiktoria Kiszkis grabbing a hat-trick to lead the rout and send the Bees marching on in the competition (BrentfordFC.com). They now turn their attention to a trip to face Eastbourne Borough later this month (BrentfordFC.com).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
