Predictable

Gah, gah and double gah. West London’s most victory-shy soccer combo conspired to slot another page tabbed “defeat” into their Big Book of Important Matches as Nicky Forster took a great big metaphorical step away from the full-time manager’s job.

While the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final is about the least important match a team plays – most fans only care about reaching the final in the first place – a dire performance bodes ill for Nicky Forster with an end of season job contest gradually hoving into view.

A strange team selection saw Simon Moore picked ahead of Trevor Carson, who had already clearly been judged to be a better keeper, the dire Adam Reed chosen above an obviously motivated Marcus Bean and the ineffective Alexander-Schlupp combo picked in attack; the former the worst target man since Callum Willock and the latter having about one touch and shot in the entire game. A stranger bench saw the sentimental use of Kevin O’Connor as a late sub when chasing the game with 10 men.

We won’t bore you with match reviews, which can be found on better websites, but suffice to say we believe Messrs Saunders and Weston should have much to think about this evening. For Brentford thoughts now turn to the summer and the next managerial appointment and transfer window. It is clear that Forster has been hampered by the appallingly wasteful transfer activity of Andy Scott, yet the new manager will have to work with most of the same players since none of them looks like attracting interest from another club and many are attached to eye watering contracts.

Forster’s team selection, the no-show in the first half and the stunning resignation to defeat in the last 10 minutes at Wembley – even before Diagouraga’s idiotic sending off – suggest he isn’t the answer. Between now and June Brentford need to figure out who is and how to deal once again with a squad held back by a number of poor players on long contracts.

For all that, congratulations to Carlisle on their win, well deserved on the day.

Advertisement