Team for Brentford

[Spijed]

We recruited Collins (an excellent right sided centre back) to replace Tarkowski when he leaves but who is supposed to cover Mee (left sided centre back) when he is injured?

Pieters or someone from our u23 squad?

Gibson

[alwaysaclaret]

There simply couldn't be a worse game to be missing Ben Mee, the Collins and Tarkowski partnership clearly didn't work against Chelsea if the second half was anything to go by, if there's any left sided cb in the u23s then we should be using him imo. Tarkowski is absolutely not a left sided cb. This really is a must win game, no ifs no buts, must win.

[tiger76]

There simply couldn't be a worse game to be missing Ben Mee, the Collins and Tarkowski partnership clearly didn't work against Chelsea if the second half was anything to go by, if there's any left sided cb in the u23s then we should be using him imo. Tarkowski is absolutely not a left sided cb. This really is a must win game, no ifs no buts, must win.

I agree Ben is a huge absence, but are you seriously suggesting we throw in a young lad in such an important match, that would be madness in the extreme.

By and large Collins/Tarks has served us well in the limited appearances they've played together, so I suspect both will start on Saturday, it's not ideal but it's far preferable to blooding a rookie.

[BERNIEU]

With Mee out, Collins is the only sensible replacement. Certainly not someone from the u23s.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

There simply couldn't be a worse game to be missing Ben Mee, the Collins and Tarkowski partnership clearly didn't work against Chelsea if the second half was anything to go by, if there's any left sided cb in the u23s then we should be using him imo. Tarkowski is absolutely not a left sided cb. This really is a must win game, no ifs no buts, must win.

Yes plucking an under 23 defender out of the reserves just because he can kick with his left foot would definitely be more sensible than picking the replacement centre half who has yet to look out of place at this level when he’s been called upon.

[MT03ALG]

Yes, was always unlikely for this weekend but going to be a bit longer. They thought it was an impact injury initially but not the case.

At least Ben Mee will have had 4 weeks to get fit, 5 weeks if we discount the game v City

[alwaysaclaret]

I agree Ben is a huge absence, but are you seriously suggesting we throw in a young lad in such an important match, that would be madness in the extreme.

By and large Collins/Tarks has served us well in the limited appearances they've played together, so I suspect both will start on Saturday, it's not ideal but it's far preferable to blooding a rookie.

A big call, and a close call, I take your point but on numerous occasions tarkowski has made mistakes in he's favoured position this season but is even more of a liability on the left side, however he's also been outstanding on occasions but not nearly enough imo, that's not to say he's a bad player, far from it but he's given plaudits by the media and pundits, but that is largely down to having Ben mee at the side of him, so I suppose I'm saying I'd much rather tarkowski be injured and Mee in the team for Saturday because Collins is an admirable replacement for tarkowski and one we can absorb. Having said all that, as I said in the first place, think I'd prefer to have a natural left sider if we have one that's anywhere near, but again, it's a close call

[Vegas Claret]

Yes, was always unlikely for this weekend but going to be a bit longer. They thought it was an impact injury initially but not the case.

that's really bad news............when you say a bit longer how long i that ?

[ClaretTony]

that's really bad news............when you say a bit longer how long i that ?

Not much I hope. I think we miss Ben more than any other player.

[Goobs]

With Ben out I really think we need to be on the front foot in this game now. So I would play all our best attacking talent. Something like the below would be nice IMO

Pope
Roberts Collins Tarks Taylor
Cork
Lennon Brownhill McNeil Cornet
Weghorst

[Vegas Claret]

Not much I hope. I think we miss Ben more than any other player.

100%, I just hope we can persuade him to sign a new deal with us

[ClaretTony]

100%, I just hope we can persuade him to sign a new deal with us

Offering him one might be a start

[Vegas Claret]

Offering him one might be a start

[MACCA]

Offering him one might be a start

Don't think we will be doing any contracts until we know what division we will be playing in.

If we go down, all the OOC players will probably or maybe should go

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Mee is such a huge miss as a leader as well as defender. Certainly wasn’t much on show with rest of players once we went behind last Saturday.

[BERNIEU]

If we go down, all the OOC players will probably or maybe should go

Lennon a good example of someone who I think would agree to another 1-year contract and could easily go a season in the Championship. Jay too. Stephens, maybe as a backup. Pieters another for 12 months. Vydra, JT and Mee I don't think would.

[ClaretTony]

Mee is such a huge miss as a leader as well as defender. Certainly wasn’t much on show with rest of players once we went behind last Saturday.

Huge loss

[KRBFC]

Lennon a good example of someone who I think would agree to another 1-year contract and could easily go a season in the Championship. Jay too. Stephens, maybe as a backup. Pieters another for 12 months. Vydra, JT and Mee I don't think would.

Lennon and Pieters fine, they've earnt a renewal and shown their worth.

Bearing in mind Stephens is on £35k+ a week and Rodriguez is on £50k a week, what on earth have these two done to warrant a renewal? 2 goals in 55 games from Rodriguez and Stephens has looked an absolute joke when he's played.

[alwaysaclaret]

Yes plucking an under 23 defender out of the reserves just because he can kick with his left foot would definitely be more sensible than picking the replacement centre half who has yet to look out of place at this level when he’s been called upon.

Yes I agree the replacement is yet to look out of place but tarkowski definitely looks out of place as Ben mee's replacement which is part of why we looked so exposed against Chelsea, as someone has said Mee is the one when he's out that we miss more than anyone because we don't have a natural left sided replacement.

[Steve1956]

Which ever team Dyche puts out...and I fully expect us to return home after the game with three points.

[alboclaret]

Must play Cork imo. But after just watching yesterday's presser I think dyche is this set on blind punt Westwood

[warksclaret]

We recruited Collins (an excellent right sided centre back) to replace Tarkowski when he leaves but who is supposed to cover Mee (left sided centre back) when he is injured?

Pieters or someone from our u23 squad?

Until recently our bench was extremely weak,as is squad depth so having appropriate cover in a number of positions is an impossibilty sadly, and the price we have to pay

[BERNIEU]

Mee is such a huge miss as a leader as well as defender. Certainly wasn’t much on show with rest of players once we went behind last Saturday.

And look at how many points we got in the first 6 games of the season without him.

[Spijed]

Mee is such a huge miss as a leader as well as defender. Certainly wasn’t much on show with rest of players once we went behind last Saturday.

The strange thing is that in the first half we defended as well as we have done under SD, yet we just collapsed in the second half.

[Longsidelenny1882]

Team news one change from the Chelsea game max in jay out come on you clarets

[BERNIEU]

Team news one change from the Chelsea game max in jay out come on you clarets

I think Max had to start really.

[RVclaret]

No cork FFS

[KRBFC]

The strange thing is that in the first half we defended as well as we have done under SD, yet we just collapsed in the second half.

The energy of the team dropped significantly, the pressing stopped entirely. Not much the central defenders could've done, wave after wave with zero protection.

[BERNIEU]

No cork FFS

Yeah looking like Westwood and Brownhill.