Ben Burgess became a fan favourite at Griffin Park during the 2001/02 campaign, netting 18 goals in 51 appearances while on loan from Blackburn Rovers. In total, Ben led the line for ten clubs during a 14-year career.

Now a teacher in Lancashire, Ben still keeps a close eye on the Bees and will be providing his thoughts ahead of each game this season.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have always been a club I’ve kept my eye on over the years and not just because Stephen Hunt and I had a good night out there once.

They were the team who finished top of League One when we ended up in the Play-Offs.

I’ll never forget the game at Griffin Park under the lights and in front of the cameras when we ran out 4-0 winners. There aren’t many occasions when everything comes together in such a harmonious way, but this was one of them. I still get goosebumps when I see the goals from that match: Michael Dobson bombing down the right wing; Ivar Ingimarsson glancing home a header; Hunty, me and Steve Sidwell combining for the fourth; and obviously I enjoyed my volley.

That said, probably the most impressive part of our performance that night was our defenders keeping Bobby Zamora quiet for 90 minutes.

I nearly signed for Brighton before I went to Blackpool, however the opportunity to move closer to home was the main attraction. I don’t think Brighton look back with too much disappointment!

Graham Potter’s recent departure is a huge blow for them, but for a club of Chelsea’s stature to poach and pay for their head coach shows what a fantastic few years Brighton have had. Already this season there have been victories against Manchester United and West Ham and an incredible draw at Anfield.

The meetings between the sides last year were frustrating for Thomas Frank's men, but I feel both teams are in a slightly different place going into this game. It will be a tight but entertaining encounter.

Nightclub bouncer

The press have such a huge platform, so it’s a shame it’s often used for negativity rather than positivity.

I’d get angry if I got a rubbish score in the News of the World when they used to do player ratings, so contending with the modern spotlight seems impossible to me.

Before one game for Brentford, Steve Coppell pinned up a particularly scathing article written in a national newspaper about us. I only remember the lovely words about me: “Burgess, who could only be described as resembling a nightclub bouncer.” Not exactly the look I was going for!

On a serious note, we have seen the real damage journalists and the media can do. Take Jason Lee, for example. He was a young player scoring goals for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League when Fantasy Football presenters David Baddiel and Frank Skinner took it upon themselves to drag him down with merciless ridicule just because his hair was different.

The current players under the microscope are Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Maguire has clearly been made a scapegoat for Manchester United’s woes, just as Paul Pogba had previously. I’m sure Maguire would be the first to admit he hasn’t been at his best, but having watched him play for England against Germany I couldn’t help feel sorry for him.

How can you feel sorry for someone earning £150,000 a week? Well, money can’t protect how you feel and your mental health. He looks like a shell of the player who performed so well for England in major tournaments.

Alexander-Arnold is a slightly different one as he has played in a team who have been excellent in recent years. Even at such a young age, he has won everything in the domestic and European game. His crossing, set-pieces and creativity are up there with some of the best in the world, but sadly people want to concentrate on his few negatives.

I don’t agree with many of Gareth Southgate's team selections, however, I do fear for him and his players when the press and social media savages go on the offensive in Qatar.