In-Depth Analysis of Brentford’s Impressive Season Start Under Keith Andrews

Brentford Football Club has made a remarkable start to the current Premier League season, showing significant improvement under the guidance of head coach Keith Andrews. Following a thrilling comeback victory against Newcastle, Brentford is now only three points shy of the coveted Champions League spots. The match, held at Gtech Community Stadium, marked a defining moment in their campaign.

Key Highlights of Brentford’s Season Under Keith Andrews

Brentford’s journey this season can be summarized through a series of detailed statistics and noteworthy performances. Let’s explore the crucial aspects that define their current form.

1. Direct Play Style

Brentford has distinguished itself as one of the most vertical teams in the league. Remarkably, the club has executed 36.9% of its passes forward, the highest ratio in the Premier League. This direct play has not compromised accuracy, evidenced by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher’s impressive statistics. He ranks second for accurate long balls (75) and leads with a 39.6% completion rate for passes exceeding 40 yards.

2. Defensive Efforts

Michael Kayode has been a standout performer for Brentford, demonstrating exceptional skill as a defender. Since joining the club on a permanent deal, he has recorded the most successful dribbles among Premier League defenders, completing 21 out of 37 take-ons. His ability to make crucial passes is unmatched, with 15 key passes this season, the highest for defenders.

3. Improved Defensive Statistics

Brentford has adopted a more disciplined defensive strategy. Last season, the team allowed an average of 17 shots per game. This number has decreased to 12.2 under Andrews. Additionally, Brentford has one of the lowest expected goals (xG) allowed per shot in the league at 0.11, alongside Arsenal and Sunderland.

4. Consistent Performance Comparison

Interestingly, Brentford’s record this season mirrors their performance from the previous year, with five wins, one draw, and five losses in their first eleven matches. Both seasons recorded identical goal counts, with 22 goals scored and conceded. Remarkably, they currently hold a goal difference of zero.

5. Strong Centre-Back Duo

Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg have been pivotal in the heart of Brentford’s defense. Both players have participated in every minute of the season, ranking high in key defensive metrics. Collins is second in shots blocked, while van den Berg excels in the aerial duels category, ranked fourth in the league.

6. Aerial Dominance

Brentford is proving to be a formidable force in aerial duels. With Thiago and Schade among the top forwards for headers won, the team has launched 40 headed shots this season, the most in the league. Only Erling Haaland and Dan Ballard have had more headed efforts than Schade.

7. Counter-Attack Efficiency

This season, Brentford has displayed remarkable efficiency during counter-attacks, scoring four goals in this manner, matching their total for the previous season. Only Bournemouth has netted more counter-attack goals this season.

8. Shooting Accuracy

The Bees prioritize quality in their offensive play. Despite ranking in the lower half for total shots on goal, they maintain a commendable shooting accuracy rate of 38.4%. Furthermore, Brentford leads in expected goals (xG) per shot at 0.17, underlining their efficiency in creating opportunities from closer distances.

9. Igor Thiago’s Standout Form

Igor Thiago has emerged as a key player this season, currently ranking second in the league’s scoring charts. He stands out for his composure in front of goal, especially from the penalty spot, having converted three penalties, the highest in the division.

10. Home Ground Advantage

Brentford’s home form has been impressive, securing four wins at Gtech Community Stadium. They currently rank third in home goals scored, with 12, and second in home points with 13, only behind Manchester City.

11. Contribution from the Bench

This season, Brentford has demonstrated depth in their squad. Already matching last season’s total of three goals scored by substitutes, players such as Mathias Jensen and Fábio Carvalho have made significant contributions. Additionally, the team has four goals post-90 minutes, with only Sunderland scoring more in the same timeframe.