Yohan Wissa's return from AFCON has been more than welcomed for Bees fans. The forward has returned energised and has offered a clinical edge in attack scoring three goals in three games. Game week 29 is one to be interested in, only eight teams are playing this weekend and Brentford will be travelling to Turf Moor in a frustrated mood. Failing to earn a point against a resilient Arsenal could see the Bees attack a fragile Burnley defence with more force and Wissa could be the key to this.
It wasn't the outcome Brentford desired in North London as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat to league leaders Arsenal. The game was filled with controversy and saw Brentford fail to see out yet another 90 minutes they were in an amongst. Speculation to whether match winner Kai Havertz should have been on the pitch sparked initial irritation for Bees players and Thomas Frank who expressed his individual annoyance with the referee and VAR later on in his post-match press conference. Havertz who had already been booked, took a pathetic tumble to the ground and wasn't penalised for the obvious dive which by the rule book should have earned him a second yellow. However, Brentford were potentially lucky themselves to not concede two penalties so again it's another question mark on the consistency of officiating in today's game.
The positive to take from such a cruel ending is the form Yohan Wissa finds himself in. The man from DR Congo has demonstrated immaculate levels of quality in his last three games and has been the main source of goals for a team struggling in the attacking third. The pick of the bunch would have to be his outrageous acrobatic stunner verses Chelsea in a tense West London Derby. Wissa has come back from AFCON and added a little more composure when in and around the oppositions box. The way he rose and connected with the airborne football against Chelsea to find the bottom corner was breathtaking however, it also highlights the underlying problem Brentford have.
Brentford's goals of late have been moments of brilliance indicating their general teamplay hasn't been effective. If were also being completely honest, as much as Wissa portrayed fantastic desire to close down Aaron Ramsdale for Brentford's equaliser at the Emirates, it was an absolute howler from the Englishmen in between the sticks and a gift for the Bees. Thomas Frank will be aware both defensively and offensively his side cannot continue to operate the way they are because chances for them aren't coming often due to their more sit back and soak up the pressure approach.
Brentford have looked uncomfortable when playing forward, yet there is a spark in there. With Burnley to face this weekend, Wissa could be the game changer. He is one player that demands the ball and draws players into fouling him to push his side up the pitch and earn set pieces in pivotal positions. Wissa is technically gifted, it's understandable why with a fully strengthened squad Brentford are able to rip apart the bigger teams because there is such balance between the likes of him, Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.
Burnley who shocked West ham with a 2-2 draw in their last game have conceded 62 goals this season and have only managed to score 27. So, with such defensive vulnerabilities, Wissa could be a real asset in a game like this where spaces will be open to exploit. Having that confidence of already scoring three in three will also help Wissa massively, playing against such a poor defence will make him hungry to deliver.
It's a must win games for the Bees who haven't secured their own safety in the division as of yet. With the Premier League heating up Thomas Frank must be wondering to roll the dice and deploy an attacking system at Turf Moor. Logically it would make sense to push his wing backs on, both Sergio Reguilon and Mads Roerslev have been threats when high up the pitch and having the additional overload to link with the attackers such as Wissa will see an increase in chance creation.
Brentford have had a tough run of games recently. They have played the likes of Manchester City twice, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham in their last eight matches. Recognising the lack of squad depth and injury crisis the club is in, Thomas Frank implementing a deeper block and counter attacking method verses these teams is comprehensible. However, Burnley are unlike any of these teams and are there for the taking. Frank will be looking to get the most out of his forwards and the way to do this would be to make braver advancements in the game. There will be an awareness to threats such as David Datro Fofana, but it would be inexcusable to play so deep verses a Burnley side who have only registered 14 points all season and haven't won since the 23rd of December away to Fulham.
Frank has to get Wissa involved in the game because if he's involved then everyone around him will also be in the game. It's a significant fixture at the lower end of the table, there is such opportunity for both sides to gain a massive three points. So, the question is with Wissa being on fire will Burnley's defence be terrified?
Commentaires