Brentford

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I'm writing this column on an early train back from Macclesfield on Tuesday reflecting on two more great results for Brentford.

To follow up the superb wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle with a creditable draw against Arsenal and progress in the FA Cup shows how well we're doing.

We could have beaten the Gunners as we definitely had the better chances, but I'd have taken a point before the game, so am not disappointed.

I was fascinated to see how we'd do after those away wins because Arsenal are on another level, but we more than matched them.

Even Mikel Arteta, a critic of Brentford in the past, gave us some post-match praise.

The FA Cup tie at Macclesfield was a completely different challenge and one I was delighted we treated professionally.

We trained on a 4G pitch and also went to the ground at lunchtime on Monday to have a look, rather than waiting until arriving for the match.

Keith Andrews also sent someone to watch the Silkmen's last league game against Leamington, so was leaving nothing to chance.

His line-up reflected that with a vastly experienced defence and first-choice midfield, with the only experimentation in goal and up front.

We may have made seven changes from the Arsenal game but statistics don't always tell the whole story, as we fielded a strong team and not a load of kids.

Yes, we made hard work of it and needed an own goal to go through but - and this is a reason not an excuse - we struggled with the pitch at times despite our preparation.

Macclesfield also defended well - although had few chances, so I never felt we'd lose it.

I can't believe we've been drawn away yet again, however.

Hopefully West Ham will have their focus elsewhere - and at least no early-morning trains or overnight stays needed!

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your views on Brentford's 1-0 win at Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: The main objective was to win, without getting any injuries. Throughout my life, I have always said cup football is a great leveller. Credit to Macclesfield for making it difficult for Brentford.

George: They all count! Thankfully we were pre-warned by Crystal Palace's woes and put out a team up to the task of seeing this one out. A solid second half followed a hairy first - off to West Ham we go.

Jerry: Poor in the first half, which is no surprise given the nature of a synthetic pitch. But all credit to the Silkmen - you played very well. But we were much better in the second half, possibly after getting used to the pitch and the opposition tiring as the game went on. A pity it was an own goal that settled it - but that's football, I guess. Ally McCoist got it spot on for man of the match. Nice to see the new young forward get a run out, but I would have preferred to have seen Igor Thiago on the bench just in case.

Steve: Good win but a lacklustre performance, with nowhere near the intensity that we showed against Arsenal. Macclesfield made it very difficult for us and deserve the credit. A win's a win - especially when all would have liked the underdogs to win.

David: Gritty performance by Macclesfield with a lot of skill. Brentford made hard work of it but ultimately got the job done. Phew!

Sami: It was a tough game but glad Brentford did enough on the day to progress. Great to see a few of our new signings and younger players on the pitch too, which also gave much of out starting XI time to rest for our push for Europe in the league.

HerzyBee: When the going gets tough, the tough let an own goal settle the tie. Awful conditions, not a match for the purists, job done.

Image source, Getty Images

Keith Andrews' Macclesfield counterpart John Rooney has praised the Brentford boss' "unbelievable touch" of visiting the non-league side's dressing room after knocking them out of the FA Cup.

The sixth-tier side claimed a historic victory over Premier League Crystal Palace on their dream cup run, but the Bees brought it to an end with a 1-0 victory at Moss Rose on Monday, courtesy of an agonising second-half own goal.

Rooney, the younger brother of former England captain Wayne, was delighted with the efforts of his team. "I couldn't be any prouder. Days like this are why you are involved," he said.

"It's an unbelievable touch by their manager to come into our dressing room after full-time.

"He spoke highly of us - of myself and the players - and the thing he saw was a real togetherness we had about us."

Andrews, whose side will face West Ham away in the next round, said that coming face to face with National League North side Macclesfield had been emotional.

"I've a lot of respect for the way they play and the spirit they have - it was very impressive," he said.

"I love the English football pyramid. I've played in a lot of it and I've coached in a lot of it. I love what it stands for.

"This club is on a really good journey and I love stories like that. It fills my heart.

"They were immense and they gave us a proper cup tie that most people would have enjoyed... but I can't say I did!"

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford's visit to Moss Rose in this potentially hazardous tie was always going to be a case of get the job done and go home - and eventually that was the outcome.

This was not, however, an impressive performance, with the narrow scoreline barely reflecting the difference between the teams on the night.

Brentford were grateful to grab the gift of Sam Heathcote's own goal to see them through, but for an edgy period in the first half it looked like boss Keith Andrews might pay an embarrassing price for fielding a much-changed team.

The Bees were sloppy in possession and hurried out of their stride as Macclesfield Town applied pressure, but in the end Brentford came through, avoiding the sort of humbling defeat suffered by Crystal Palace.

It is victory, by whatever margin, that counts in the FA Cup - but Brentford and Andrews will not reflect on this night with any degree of satisfaction.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, who went into the Macclesfield dressing room after the game to congratulate their players, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "That was always going to be a real test. They have a great spirit in the way they play. It was never going to be easy. I don't think we did the basics well enough in the first half and then in the second half we did it very well.

"We controlled it a bit better, got into better positions and eventually wore them down. I have a lot of respect for them and how they play. It is a tough place to come.

"I am a big fan of the football pyramid and these are always going to be difficult places to come. Tough test to navigate, but we came through it."

Brentford captain Nathan Collins, speaking to TNT Sports: "It doesn't matter who you are playing against, you need to get the job done. Macclesfield could beat anyone on any day.

"If we can top it off with a cup run, then that would be great. Our fans deserve it.

"Credit to Macclesfield. They made it extremely hard for us. They put up a great fight and they deserve credit for that."

Did you know?

• Brentford are in the fifth round of the FA Cup for just the second time in the past 20 seasons, also doing so in 2018-19.

• Brentford have won six of their past seven away matches - since the start of this run on 20 December, no Premier League side has more victories on the road.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Brentford's performance?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fifth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn.

• Fulham v Southampton

• Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland

• Newcastle United v Manchester City

• Leeds United v Norwich City

• Mansfield Town v Arsenal

• Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool

• Wrexham v Chelsea

• West Ham v Macclesfield or Brentford

The matches will be played over the weekend of 7 March.

Watch all the highlights and best video from this season's FA Cup

Macclesfield starting XI: Dearnley, Fensome, Dawson, Buckley-Ricketts, Mellor, Duffy, Heathcote, Lacey, Osborne, Edmondson, Borthwick-Jackson

Subs: Matheson, Menayese, Griffiths, Dos Santos, Gale, Johnson, Whitehead, Pasiek, Stone.

Brentford starting XI: Valdimarsson, Kayode, Collins (c), Pinnock, Hickey, Janelt, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Donovan, Furo, Nelson.

Subs: Balcombe, Henry, Van den Berg, Ouattara, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson.

Image source, Getty Images

What a difference four days makes.

On Thursday, Brentford put in a brilliant performance in their 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal. On Monday, they face a Macclesfield team ranked 115 places below them in the English football pyramid.

But Bees boss Keith Andrews insists his approach is the same.

"It's an amazing game for us," Andrews said. "I'm a huge fan of the football pyramid - I love it. I love what it stands for. I love games like this.

"This cup is prestigious - the best club domestic competition in the world with the history attached to it. We want to go as far as we can in this one. The preparation for Macclesfield will be no different than the preparation was for Arsenal.

"I said to the players in the main we are a pretty popular club, we hold ourselves in the right way and do things in the right way. But everyone is going to be up for Macclesfield and that's the nature of the cup."

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford are hoping to avoid another FA Cup giant killing at the hands of Macclesfield in what fan and co-editor of the Beesotted Podcast Dave Lane called "a huge banana skin".

"We've got massive respect for what Macclesfield did in the previous round," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was an incredible achievement. We're just hoping lightning doesn't strike twice."

The Bees' last visit to the Moss Rose was in 2009 - taking on Macclesfield Town when both clubs were in League Two.

Lane said Monday's game is a stark reminder of the journey Brentford have been on in recent years.

"I'm looking forward to being up there," he added. "A lot of Brentford fans have been there before either watching Chester when they played there for a couple of seasons, or those games against Macclesfield when we were back in League Two.

"It's all part of our evolution and our journey. We've been there and we remember those days, and we loved those days.

"On paper, this is a game we should win pretty comfortably but we are not taking anything for granted whatsoever."

Image source, Getty Images

Keith Andrews won't be making the same mistake as Crystal Palace and has been getting his players prepared for Macclesfield's 4G pitch.

Plenty was made of the Eagles' approach to the Moss Rose surface before their FA Cup third-round defeat, with Marc Guehi reportedly saying "it's not a bit of me that" to Silkmen assistant Francis Jeffers before kick-off.

"Zero excuses from us," Andrews said when asked about the Moss Rose pitch. "We are quite an adventurous group. We like different experiences and this will be a different experience, for sure.

"Players are very used to training on 4G pitches. We've trained the dimensions of their pitch. We'll have a walk around their pitch on matchday in the morning to get used to the environment.

"What plays a part is the education of what it will be like. It's impossible for some of our players to realise what it will be like. It's up to us to inform them what the environment and the pitch will be like.

"It's a huge game for them in their history and we certainly won't underestimate them. It's not in our DNA to do that."

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fifth-round draw will take place on Monday, 16 February at about 18:35 GMT.

It will be done before the fourth-round tie between Macclesfield Town - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition - and Brentford, with former England internationals Joe Cole and Karen Carney conducting the draw on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 7 March.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

What are the ball numbers?

1. Liverpool

2. Fulham

3. Sunderland

4. Southampton

5. Wrexham

6. Arsenal

7. Chelsea

8. West Ham United

9. Mansfield Town

10. Norwich City

11. Port Vale or Bristol City

12. Wolverhampton Wanderers

13. Newcastle United

14. Manchester City

15. Macclesfield or Brentford

16. Leeds United

I am co-commentating on this game for BBC Radio 5 Live with Ali Bruce-Ball and I cannot wait.

Macclesfield boss John Rooney did an incredible job with his side's historic win over Crystal Palace in the third round.

I watched the game back as part of my prep and, while the Silkmen had less than 29% possession, they limited Palace to very few chances and they were deserved winners.

Knocking the holders out was rightly hailed as the biggest shock in the FA Cup's illustrious history, and it would be another fantastic feat if they toppled Brentford too.

Only one non-league side has ever beaten two top-flight teams in the same FA Cup campaign - Millwall in 1913-14, when they overcame Chelsea and Bradford City.

I'd love to think Macclesfield could do it too, and if they play like they did against Palace then they have a great chance, especially on their plastic pitch.

I think Brentford will be ready for them, though, and Keith Andrews' side are having a tremendous season too.

Andrews will know he can't make too many changes here, and maybe Brentford will go on an FA Cup run themselves - they have not reached the quarter-finals since 1989, so it it is long overdue.

This is going to be a tight game but I just have a feeling the Bees will edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Monday's FA Cup game against Macclesfield at Moss Rose (kick-off 19:30).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• January signing Kaye Furo will make his debut against Macclesfield: "He's settled in really well. He's really clued into the way he wants to navigate his development."

• There is "a good vibe" around the team at the moment: "You always want more; you have to keep pushing towards something that can produce even better things on a consistent basis."

• On the "prestigious" FA Cup: "We want to go as far as we can in this one. The preparation for Macclesfield will be no different than the preparation was for Arsenal."

• On Macclesfield: "We won't be underestimating them; it is not in our DNA to do that."

• Andrews praised Igor Thiago, who renewed his contract this week, and said he will yet improve further: "Goals will get the headlines, but his overall game has just gone to different levels. He's still on an upward trajectory with the age he is and the attitude he has."

Image source, Brentford

Top scorer Igor Thiago has signed a contract extension that will see him stay at Brentford until 2031, with an option of a further year.

The 24-year-old Brazil forward is the second top scorer in the Premier League this season with 17 goals in 26 games - to help the west London club climb to seventh in the table.

He joined Brentford in 2024 but his first season was disrupted by injury.

"In the beginning, when I first came, I had the injury. The staff and the people around the training ground were helping me and supporting me", Thaigo said.

"When the fans support me, and I see them singing my name and singing my song, it gives me more power. I'm really happy for all of the love they have given to me. It means so much."

"It's brilliant that Thiago has committed his long-term future to the club," said head coach Keith Andrews.

"The connection that he has with his team-mates, the staff and the fans, as well as how much the club means to him and he means to us, is pretty evident for everybody to see.

"He's been a massive player for us, so it's a contract he thoroughly deserves and I'm really happy that the club have been able to get it done."

It is a day of double celebration for the striker, who has also been named the Premier League's Player of the Month for January, after scoring five goals in five games including a hat-trick against Everton.

It is the second time he has won the award this season after also being the November recipient.

"It's an amazing feeling," Thiago said.

"I've asked people at the club how many Brentford players have won this, and they told me that nobody had received this trophy before me. So I'm really happy to have won it two times now and I look forward to, hopefully, winning more!

"I also want to thank all of the staff and all of the players for their support and for helping me on the pitch."

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On The Wayne Rooney Show this week, the former Everton striker exchanges tales with a player he looked up to early in his career, former Toffee Francis Jeffers. Rooney's brother John also has plenty to say before his Macclesfield side take on Brentford in the FA Cup.

Jeffers - assistant to John Rooney at Macclesfield - says Brentford will "100%" show more respect for The Silkmen than Crystal Palace did when they were humbled in round three.

Jeffers said: "The backroom staff at our place, the people in the office are already telling us, Brentford want to bring the team, squad of players, to look at the pitch at 12 o'clock that day. So, you know, they don't want to get there and be surprised like Palace, so, like you said, that giant killing now has sort of made Brentford wake up and go, listen, we're not going there and we're not going to allow that to happen.

"But we have to just allow our lads to enjoy it. It's an unbelievable occasion, we said that to them in the last round didn't we? Lads you know, I actually said to them, thank you very much for where you've took us here, by the way, because I've had some great days in football as a player.

"That's probably one of the best days I've ever, ever had. And that was all down to the lads and I thanked them. And I'll be saying the same to them. You know, after John gives his team talk, you know, I'll be saying to the lads, thanks. Make sure you go out and enjoy the occasion. And what will be, will be. No one's expecting us to win. But, you know, there might be a little element of surprise because we've done it before.

"I think our lads might quietly fancy having a right go at Brentford."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The shock defeats of Manchester City by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League and of Crystal Palace by Macclesfield in the FA Cup last month had one thing in common - both ties were played on plastic pitches.

Four English clubs - QPR, Luton, Preston and Oldham - had such surfaces in the 1980s and early 1990s, before they were banned from the English professional game over issues with ball roll and bounce and fears over long-term injuries.

They have not been allowed since in the Premier League or Football League, with any promoted clubs who play on artificial surfaces - such as Sutton United in 2021 - having to replace them with grass pitches.

The City and Palace results should serve as a warning to Brentford, who are the next side to visit Macclesfield in the FA Cup, in the fourth round on Monday.

While neither Pep Guardiola or Oliver Glasner blamed the pitches for their defeats, Bees boss Keith Andrews will need to have his preparation spot-on to avoid becoming the victim of another giant-killing.

And given our performance in the FA Cup third round at Sheffield Wednesday, I think he will.

Although we played Arsenal on Thursday night and the Moss Rose tie is on Monday, I am sure that Andrews will find time to train the squad on an artificial surface ahead of the game, if he hasn't done so already.

I also think that - as at Hillsborough - he will name a strong matchday squad to avoid any slip-ups.

You could argue that artificial pitches should be banned from all competitions as they give the clubs who play on them every week an unfair advantage.

However, I don't think that would be right.

All grounds have their own quirks with which the home team are familiar, so sides just have to get on with it and not make excuses - not that Brentford would if we got knocked out.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Brentford and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Dan: Another great performance. We had the better chances, Andrews took on Arteta head on. In my opinion he won the battle. We had the better chances, we wanted it more, we defended as a team and attacked as a team. We now attack the big six rather than sit back. We're on our way to Europe.

Matt: A real battle, and yet more evidence that the "bus stop in Hounslow" is an established Premier League outfit. Bursting with pride for the Bees tonight. Went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the world right now and almost came away with a win. COYB.

Chuck: Brentford played some excellent football and thoroughly deserved a point. Every player gave their all, but special mention to Rico Henry who was outstanding.

Sam: What a spirited Brentford performance! A great run of fixtures to come now too. If we can keep hold of Michael Kayode in the summer it will be a miracle!

Arsenal fans

Steven: A good point for Arsenal in a game that could have gone either way. The nay sayers will once again claim they have bottled it, and write them off. If they beat Wolves next week, they will suddenly be favourites to win everything, including Wimbledon and the Grand National. Basically, Arsenal are still 4 points clear at the top. Both Arsenal and City will drop points in some of their remaining games. We are still in the best position to go on and win the league.

Neil: Advantage Man City. I have heard so many times that our squad is so strong. It's strong on paper but not on the pitch. We just don't look like champions on the field and again lack urgency. How many shots on target? Poor again!

Ned: Two points dropped from a real lack of creativity in the middle of the pitch. Eze looks passive and lost, while Odegaard is still playing catch up from injuries. Slot Trossard in the number 10 role and Martinelli on the left then the league is ours. COYG!

Dazla: I think Gykores has his merits but it's not holding the ball up. He gave possession away so many times after we scored. Havertz was a big loss tonight in that area. Arsenal need to adapt their play as the release ball to the front player doesn't work.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford again produced a performance against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw to show why they deserve to be seventh in the league, just five points behind fourth-place Manchester United.

Keith Andrews' side were well organised, as they have been all season, and looked to counter-attack quickly using the pace of Keane Lewis-Potter and Dango Ouattara, while 17-goal striker Igor Thiago consistently troubled the Arsenal backline.

Brentford's press frustrated the Gunners and forced the away side into a couple of loose passes across their own goal, which lifted the crowd and built confidence.

Thiago had two good chances late in the match and the victory would not have been undeserved considering the manner in which Brentford finished after getting level.

The performance was another sign that despite being many people's picks for relegation after a summer of upheaval, the Bees are pushing for a first ever European campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was more likely to go our way. They were very good at the start of the second half. We go a goal down and the reaction we showed was sensational. The chances we created, it doesn't take a genius to realise which team are more likely to win it.

"They grew in confidence, dealt with the setback, got a grip of what we did with the ball. We showed bravery and courage and willingness to run hard and compete."

On set-pieces: "We were brilliant from set pieces. I loved our body language and demeanour. I really liked the way we approached it and the appetite and aggression."

On if it was a statement performance: "I watched a lot of Arsenal and am a big fan of the way they play the game. I don't see many teams give them a game like that. The lads are in a good place."

Goalscorer Keane Lewis-Potter, speaking to BBC Sport: "We are happy but at the same time feel like we could have won the game. It's definitely a good point."

On his earlier missed chance: "I should have done better there. I got a second chance and I wasn't going to miss that one."

On the set piece goal: "No secret really. We train hard on them. At times this season it hasn't paid off. Today it did. Arsenal are a very good team on set pieces and we try to pride ourselves on it as well.

"Confidence is sky-high right now and we could have easily won it. We carry on going to the end and on another day we could win it."

Did you know?

• Brentford have only lost two of their last 11 Premier League games (W6 D3), while across each side's last 11 matches in the competition, only Arsenal (24) and Manchester City (22) have more points than their 21.

• Keane-Lewis Potter's goal for the Bees was their fourth via throw-in situations in the Premier League this season; the joint-most along with Burnley.