Tom Moore on what Bolton fans can expect from the Bees on Monday night
Ahead of the visit of Brentford to Macron Stadium for Monday night's televised Sky Bet Championship match, Tom Moore from getwestlondon.co.uk speaks to bwfc.co.uk to preview Wanderers' next opponents.
bwfc.co.uk: How would you sum up Brentford’s season so far?
TM: Prior to the October international break, Brentford looked as if they would be in a relegation struggle after the sacking of Marinus Dijkhuizen. However, what Lee Carsley and Paul Williams did in those two weeks worked wonders and the Bees won their next four games, including a satisfying win over west London rivals QPR. The club are now in a position to be looking up, rather than over their shoulders.
bwfc.co.uk: There has also been much change inside the opening months. Has that had much of an effect on the team and the club as a whole?
TM: Dijkhuizen did not have an easy time at Griffin Park. He had to contend with an injury list that meant he was missing nearly half of his first choice XI. The Dutchman failed to get to grips with the array of coaches he had at his disposal and his message didn't appear to get through to the players. Carsley took a back-to-basics approach and his character has brought out the best in the squad. Despite repeatedly going on record saying he doesn't want the job on a permanent basis because he doesn't feel it's his best role, he has taken to the job like a duck to water, and there has been a noticeable improvement in performances since his appointment
bwfc.co.uk: It was a busy summer for Brentford in the transfer market. How has that shaped the current squad?
TM: The majority of Carsley's recent starting line-ups have been largely made up of players who were at the club last season as players brought in from overseas adjust to English football. Josh McEachran and record buy Andreas Bjelland were the two major signings in the summer but both have been absent through injury. Ryan Woods has impressed since joining from Shrewsbury.
bwfc.co.uk: Who are the key players in this Brentford side?
TM: October's Sky Bet Championship player of the month Alan Judge is Brentford's talisman. He has been in magnificent form, with his excellent displays also seeing him recently rewarded with an international debut for the Republic of Ireland during the last break earlier this month.
bwfc.co.uk: And a prediction?
TM: 2-0 to Brentford.
Tom is on Twitter, @TomMooreJourno.