Stretty News caught up with member of Brentford Fans’ Trust Bees United, Greville Waterman – a supporter of Brentford.
Manchester United host Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The Reds will be trying to bounce back after losing 2-0 against Newcastle at the weekend, especially after falling to fifth in the league table.
Greville Waterman gives us a Brentford perspective ahead of the game. He also wrote a book on the last season at Brentford, Just a Bus Stop in Hounslow, which is available on Amazon.
Brentford humiliated United in the second game of the season, and we go into this match on the back of a disappointing defeat against Newcastle. Do you think it’s a good time to play us?
Greville: “I know that the fixture list is congested, Casemiro is suspended and you haven’t scored in 3 Premier League games but in my view there is NEVER a good time to play the Mighty Reds who will also be out for revenge for, as you said, their humiliation earlier in the season when had we not declared at halftime on a sweltering hot day we honestly might well have scored seven as United had run up the white flag and just wanted to crawl off the pitch.”
What’s the general feeling among Brentford fans when they look at the league table and see the team positioned 7th in the Premier League?
Greville: “Total disbelief allied to a delight that our combination of hard work, team spirit, inspiration, perspiration, great management, togetherness, creativity, community spirit, a sense of togetherness as well of course as talented players and a never ending effort to seek out the small advantages is being recognised.It doesn’t half make up for cold winter nights betting gubbed at Accrington and Macclesfield as was the case in the not too distant past when it was only the efforts of Bees United and fans shaking buckets that kept us alive.”
How does it feel seeing Thomas Frank linked with other Premier League clubs whenever another top-flight manager gets sacked?
Greville: “It is simply what we expect given how well he has performed over the last four and a half years. It is testimony to the way we operate when we concentrate on performances rather than just results as we lost eight of his first ten games in charge but there was never a thought of sacking him as the performances were decent. it is inevitable that Thomas will eventually .leave us for better things however there is still much development potential at the club, and the failure of Potter at Chelsea might make the Big Six wary of hiring someone apparently unproven at the very highest level and, as all Bees fans realise, it is not simply Thomas Frank who is responsible for our success, it is the whole management structure and philosophy at the club where he is simply one of those responsible. The whole is greater than any one individual.”
Which United player, if any, would you like to see at Brentford?
Greville: “I would have said Christian Eriksen who was great for us – as we were for him – but money talked as well as the siren song of a packed Old Trafford and European football. We haven’t really missed him given the emerging brilliance of fellow Dane Mathias Jensen. Your players are in a different stratosphere to ours in terms of background and wages so I will say perhaps Anthony Elanga who is Scandinavian like a lot of our squad and might possibly be affordable too.”
Will Brentford push for a European spot?
Greville: “Perhaps but injuries are starting to bite, talisman Ivan Toney is one booking away from a two match ban and who knows when his FA hearing will be held. It would be an incredible achievement to qualify for Europe and it would help put us on the map, but could we cope with the demands of traipsing around Eastern Europe, playing on a Thursday night and then having games on a Sunday afternoon? I am not sure if our infrastructure and depth of squad would be deep enough. it could be a mixed blessing and double edged sword.”
Which players should we watch out for on current form?
Greville: “We are a team rather than a collection of individuals so I will not single anyone out apart from Rico Henry who we all feel should be challenging Luke Shaw for an England spot and who did not have one of his better games last season at Old Trafford. I am sure he will impress on Wednesday.”
What do you think of Manchester United a) the club; b) the team; c) the fans and d) the manager?
Greville: “I have admired Manchester United from afar for many years and never ever thought we would be competing against them on an even level. I just envy their talent and resources and appreciate the strength of character of your new manager. The fans have had much to put up with off the pitch and are to be applauded for their efforts in making the club aware of their concerns. I was not impressed with Old Trafford itself last season which was faded glory and looked in massive need of refurbishment and updating.”
High and low point as a Brentford fan this season?
Greville: “Beating you and Liverpool at home. Losing to Gillingham at home was an eye opener as it showed that we are better and far more dangerous without the ball, out of possession, than with it.”
All-time Brentford cult hero and why?
Greville: “Man Mountain Terry Hurlock a bearded Viking warrior of the 80s who could intimidate and also play as well as a long forgotten but brilliant winger of the late 60s in Allan Mansley, a George Bet lookalike who was a blazing meteor but burned himself out far too quickly and died far too young.”
Favourite Brentford XI from players you have seen?
Greville: “Far too many to consider so will simply name today’s team, Raya, Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Pinnock, Henry, Norgaard, Jensen, Janelt, Toney, Mbeumo.”
Scoreline prediction.
Greville: “2-0 to you.”
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