After the great comeback against Liverpool, I was hoping that this had instilled some belief into the team. The main thing was to keep fighting for 90 minutes and giving their all then there is a chance to get something out of the game. As we left our pub stop, I invited some Brentford fans to join in our photos and some of them were going to be cycling from there to the ground

Team: Perri, Ampadu, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Bogle, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor, Tanaka, Stach, Bijol. 

Subs: Aaronson for Tanaka, (73), Gnonto for Bijol (73), Justin for Gudmundsson (89), Harrison for Okafor (90+2). 

Subs not used: Darlow, Byram, Piroe, Gruev, Bornauw.

Leeds drew the game 1-1 with Calvert-Lewis equalising for Leeds (82).

Attendance: 17,159, 1,725 Leeds fans.

Referee: John Brooks.

Booked: No bookings.

Brentford were using the long ball but were a very fast team and in the main, we stood up to be counted in the first half as we managed to deal with the pressure. Okafor had a shot on target saved by their keeper and Perri made a good save. Hopefully his distribution will improve the more that he plays. When the referee pointed to the spot, I was convinced they shouldn’t have had a penalty awarded, but more because their player dived, not because it was offside. Luckily for us VAR overturned the decision.

In the second half they made some changes but started to make mistakes and I felt we could get on top then. Fresh legs were needed by us but sadly we didn’t get them on the pitch quick enough for me, especially as Brentford scored. There was an element of luck with their goal as the ball bounced back from Bijol to their player. Our fans had been in fine voice and despite a few minutes of quietness after Brentford’s goal, they got behind the team. The atmosphere created by constant singing was brilliant and what I love to be involved in. Aaronson was very unlucky to see his shot saved by their keeper and again, his involvement as an impact sub can’t be underestimated. We started to put Brentford under pressure and with the loyal fans behind them, Calvert-Lewis equalised with a powerful header after Gnonto sent in a great cross from the far side. We came close to a winner when Ampadu’s shot skimmed by the wrong side of the post but I’m happy to take a draw here and it’s a valuable and well-earned point gained today at Brentford.

It’s good to have come away from the capital unbeaten and follows on from the last few performances where we have shown we can compete with other teams in this division. Keeping the belief and keeping fighting can work wonders.



See you next week, LUFC – Marching on Together!