Can Brentford avoid second season Premier League slump?
Brentford played their role in the relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League on the final day of the campaign. Fortunately for the Bees, they were comfortably safe from the threat of an immediate return to the Championship. It was Leeds who were in a desperate scramble to remain in the Premier League and managed to save themselves by defeating the Bees 2-1 on the road, courtesy of a late winner from Jack Harrison. Thomas Frank’s men enjoyed their first season in the Premier League and finished in a solid 13th, well clear of the relegation zone. They produced special moments such as their opening-day win over Arsenal and a 4-1 hammering of Chelsea on the road.
However, the club also endured periods of struggle, which did put them in trouble at one point in the campaign. It was a warning that the Premier League is unforgiving and will continue to be next term. The Bees are considered one of the favorites for relegation in the free football tips, and you can take the plunge into the second tier in their second season in the top flight. They would not be the first to suffer the fate as Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United have discovered in the recent history of the Premier League.
There is a natural feeling of euphoria to being promoted to the top flight and the ambition is to remain there without dropping straight back into the Championship. The Bees avoided that fate, unlike Norwich City and Watford, who were relegated without a fight. Brentford channeled the spirit of their fans on the field and the talent in their squad to produce the results when they needed them the most, especially in the final third of the campaign. Frank’s men went on a run of one win in 11 matches between Boxing Day and the end of February, which saw them slide from ninth to 15th in the table. However, the Bees responded by winning seven out of their final 11 matches of the term to ease their relegation worries.
The issue for Brentford will be establishing themselves in the Premier League amid the teams that are arriving from the Championship to preserve their status, while clubs such as Leeds, Southampton, Everton, and Aston Villa will be bidding to improve their standing. It is a relentless league and the pressure will be on Frank and his players to raise their standards, which could be made difficult if Christian Eriksen leaves the club. The Dane was outstanding after making his return from his health troubles, but his form has caught the eye of a number of other sides in the Premier League.
Ivan Toney had a good goal return in his first season in the Premier League, but the 26-year-old has to become more consistent along with his teammates in the final third. The Bees will also have to cultivate further depth in their side after being fortunate to avoid major injuries last season. The grind of the Premier League is unrelenting and will test Brentford if they’re not prepared for the fight. The second season proved to be the undoing of Huddersfield and Sheffield United, and unless Brentford bring the same appetite for the fight as they did in their first campaign, they could follow in their footsteps.
