Review: Essential Brentford's 2015/16 Bucket List
- essentialbrentford
- Jan 13, 2016
- 4 min read
At the beginning of the season we decided to set out a couple of aims for the new campaign. We are now little over half way through the 2015/16 season and we thought it time to look back over the objectives that we set.
1. MAINTAIN A PLAY-OFF PLACE - Incomplete
Brentford currently lie just outside the play-off places. Since October we have kept up with the pack, albeit slightly off the pace set by the top dogs.
Although Brentford's form has taken a slight dip over the Christmas period, the teams inside the play-off positions have also dropped points. The result is that now there is more than just the one place up for grabs. Brighton look set to drop away just like Derby did last season, meaning that fourth and fifth spot could be up for grabs as well.
The Championship is always throwing up surprises, and it is not all that unlikely that the Bees can sneak into the top six. We just need another good run of form. If we can keep beating the teams below us, whilst nabbing a couple of points off the big boys, then there is every chance that we can achieve what we did last season.
2. BEAT QPR AND FULHAM - Incomplete
This objective seemed an unlikely one at the beginning of the season. However, four points off two games against our neighbours means that a victory at Loftus Road would complete a memorable couple of seasons in terms of derbies.
That Friday night against Rangers in front of the Sky cameras was truly unforgettable. Marco Djuricin slotted past Rob Green to send Griffin Park wild and to send QPR packing. Additionally, we almost grabbed another incredible win at Craven Cottage, but had to settle for a draw as Jota's late header was ruled out for offside.
Perhaps we should change this objective to eight points off QPR and Fulham, as that would reflect a fantastic return against our closest rivals.
3. CONVERT 80%+ OF PENALTIES - Complete
To date, we have only been awarded two penalties in the Championship this season. Both were slotted home by Alan Judge; one against Fulham and one against Huddersfield. Thankfully Tarkowski has been stripped of his penalty-taking duties after his two misses from two last season.
This means a 100% record from twelve yards. Given our penalty failures over the last couple of years, this wold be a welcome record to maintain until the end of the season.
4. HAVE ONE 15+ GOAL STRIKER - Incomplete
Whilst a fifteen goal striker seems unlikely at this point, there is one player who seems likely to surpass this landmark.
Alan Judge has been in inspired form this season, and already has ten goals to his name. The midfielder looks set to achieve a record-breaking season in terms of his own personal scoring tally.
Lasse Vibe is currently on seven goals. With little over half the season gone, there is certainly time for the forward to reach the target that we have set. However, the return from injury of Marco Djuricin means that Vibe may get less game time.
Djuricin and Hofmann are both on four goals, not a bad return when one considers how much time they've spent on the sidelines. Brentford haven't been short of goals this season, and were top scorers in the whole division a couple of games ago.
5. HAVE DIAGOURAGA SCORE A GOAL - Incomplete
This is possibly the most desirable aim, yet it is the one which is most unlikely to be realised. The midfielder looks set on a move to Rangers to link up with ex-Brentford boss Mark Warburton.
Diagouraga has not scored in over 100 appearances for Brentford - and even that was a goalkeeper error! The cries of "SHOOT" from the terraces can be heard every time he gets the ball in and around the box. However, the end result is often having to send someone to fetch the ball from behind the Ealing Road stand.
However, Jake Bidwell scored his first ever professional goal against Cardiff this year. This gives hope for Brentford fans, although Toumani has stated that this places "more pressure" on him to score.
6. REACH FIFTH ROUND OF CUP - Failure
Well that was optimistic, wasn't it?
Brentford once again flopped in the cup competitions this year. A 4-0 defeat to Oxford, in which star signing Andreas Bjelland picked up an injury that will keep him out until next season, was followed by an undeserved 1-0 defeat at the hands of Walsall.
Brentford now haven't won a cup match since 2013, and the disappointment from the fans' behalf was made clear following the latter defeat. The FA Cup, in particular, generates a sense of excitement that the league cannot parallel. The chance to be drawn against the elite clubs of English football is one that every supporter relishes.
Maybe next season Brentford can mount a decent cup run. Don't hold your breaths.
7. TREND ON TWITTER - Complete
We set this objective with the mind-set that if it happened it would be because Brentford had done something unusual or momentous. Normally when you trend on twitter it is because of a record signing, or because of a massive result.
Indeed, this proved to be the case. Immediately after Brentford's victory over QPR at Griffin Park, live in front of the Sky cameras, we began trending on twitter. The trends which we were immediately above at the time included "#MakeAQuoteShakespearean" and "#Gogglebox".
Hopefully Brentford will trend again this season, maybe even as a result of an unlikely promotion.
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