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 10 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.
Managing emotions
A cool and calm composed manager quietly letting his team play, or a raving lunatic prowling the touchline like a deranged nightclub bouncer?
I understand these two examples are at opposite ends of the scale, but the question of a manager’s pitchside antics sparks plenty of debate.
Jose Mourinho, who famously charged down the Old Trafford touchline after his Porto team knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League, has just received his third sending off of the season in Italy.
The Roma boss obviously accepted his error of judgement for berating the officials and then storming into their dressing room... well, not quite. He blamed it all on the fourth official and has threatened legal action.
Seeing your manager getting angry and arguing with everybody on the touchline does not inspire confidence.
A manager definitely not in the mould of Mourinho is Graham Potter at Chelsea.
Suddenly he finds himself under enormous scrutiny because he hasn’t managed to gel Chelsea’s expensively assembled Galacticos.
He recently had to defend himself against accusations that he doesn’t get angry enough when decisions go against his side. He very cleverly turned the tables by pointing out the hypocrisy of the media complaining that referees are being abused at grassroots level, and in the next breath berating him for not moaning at the officials.
I do agree with him when he said, “I have a responsibility to myself, to Chelsea, to the game, and to act in a way that is the right thing for me.”
In my opinion, the best managers stand up for their team when they need to, they don’t make excuses and, most importantly, they remain calm in pressure situations.
I will never forget seeing Martin Allen on the sidelines at Notts County, hair dishevelled, sweating like mad, and screaming at us all to calm down!
Uncomfortable Everton
Saturday’s match marks the beginning of three games against teams fighting for their lives near the foot of the table.
The visit to Goodison Park will be particularly hostile. The Evertonians are extremely passionate about their team and winning home games will be imperative for their survival chances.
While the Bees players will be made to feel uncomfortable on the pitch, it will pale in comparison to the sheer discomfort that commentator Mark Burridge and I will have to endure in the shoebox-sized press area.
It's certainly nostalgic to see and sit on wooden seats, but it baffles me why the legroom is about the width of a ruler - surely people weren’t that small when the stadium was built?
I’ll be spending the majority of the game in a half-standing/half-sitting position, which will certainly make for an interesting photo opportunity.
Everton 2 Brentford 3
Season ticket holders, premium seat holders and My Bees Members are able to purchase up to six tickets for our game against Everton this Saturday.
Bring your friends and family along and give the Bees your backing. Buy now.