After a run of five matches in 14 days early September brought about the first international break of the season and gave The Bees, and their fans, a chance to take stock. A return of eight points from five matches left Mark Warburton’s side eighth in the table, a point outside the top six.
Despite the lack of first-team action in the early part of the month it was still a busy time for all concerned at Griffin Park. Adam Forshaw left Brentford to join Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee: the 22-year-old midfielder had made 100 appearances in a little over two seasons with The Bees. Coming the other way Portuguese Under-21 International Betinho joined Brentford on a season-long loan from Sporting Lisbon.
It was also a busy time for the Brentford players called up for international duty over the break. Stuart Dallas’ fine start to the season saw him added to the Northern Ireland squad for their Euro 2016 Qualifier against Hungary, however he was forced to later pull out of the squad due to injury. Alex Pritchard made his England Under-21 debut as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Lithuania in Kaunas. He followed that up by winning his second cap four days later as The Young Lions won 3-0 against Moldova. Daniel O’Shaughnessy played 90 minutes as Finland’s Under-21s drew 2-2 with Wales before netting in the 5-0 win over San Marino as Finland missed out on qualification for the Under-21 European Championships at the hands of England. Will Grigg was an unused substitute as Northern Ireland beat Hungary 2-1 in their opening Euro 2016 Qualifying match.
Back at Jersey Road the Academy season was continuing with goals from Youth Team players Bradley Clayton and Gradi Milenge helped the Development Squad to their first win of the season after a 2-1 success at home to Coventry City. Later that week a Brentford XI lost 6-3 to Crystal Palace in a behind closed doors friendly at Jersey Road, Tyrell Miller-Rodney, a trialist and Montell Moore were on the score-sheet for The Bees.
A severely depleted Youth Team, missing 14 players due to illness and injury, suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 1-0 away at local rivals QPR. Jeremy Steele’s side bounced back from that disappointment to pick up a point at home to a strong Birmingham City. Courtney Senior put The Bees ahead only for David Poppa to score late on to secure a point for the Blues.
The fears of fans and coaching staff alike were confirmed as it was revealed Scott Hogan would miss the majority of the 2014/15 season due to the knee injury picked up in the win over Rotherham United. In loan news Alfie Mawson extended his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers for a further month after a fine start to life in League Two while Mark Smith returned from his loan spell at Hitchin Town.
Brentford FC Community Sport Trust Ambassador and Brentford fan Andy Lapthorne won the US Open Quad Singles title, a first singles Grand Slam title to add to a number of doubles titles.
It was 13 September when Mark Warburton’s side returned to action after the international break and they made it three wins from four as Brighton and Hove Albion were beaten 3-2 at Griffin Park. In a superb advert for Sky Bet Championship football goals from Moses Odubajo, Andre Gray and Jonathan Douglas eventually saw off a spirited Seagulls side.