After Brentford defeated Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening at the Gtech Community Stadium, here are five things we learned from the win and performance.
Brentford got their 26/27 campaign off to the dream start, with a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium, in the sunshine and live in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
So, here are five things we learned from the game.
Keane Lewis-Potter has cemented himself as the first choice left-back
Despite being a right-footed player, Lewis-Potter is looking more and more comfortable as a left-back. He is going down the outside and using his left foot more than ever now, and is looking like a threat when doing so. He is also very comfortable defensively, and the fact he is right footed can help in that regard.
Most right wingers like to cut in onto their left foot, which is useful when he can defend them on his stronger foot. There were a couple of times when Mikey Moore escaped his attention and receive good opportunities, but a lot of that was more systematic than anything wrong from the player himself. A great overall performance.
Plus, the goal after just 12 minutes too, showing that - despite playing in a defensive position - he can still take up clever positions and be a threat in the final third, so it has positives all round.
Mamadou Sangare is the real deal
There was already a very good feeling within the fanbase about Sangare, but he really did show exactly why they are right to be so excited for the club record signing. From the first minute you could see how useful his dynamism in the middle of the park will be, and we were only 12 minutes in when his clever give and go with Dango Ouattara lead to him cutting the ball back for the opening goal.
The third goal, from Kayode, came from him getting a shot away too. Most fans expect the Mali international to be a clear midfield presence who can win games between both boxes, but he showed for that goal that he can contribute in the final third.
We already have a good idea of the best XI early on
We predicted that Brentford would keep the same starting XI as the one that demolished Eintracht Frankfurt 7-0, because how could you not after such an emphatic victory and performance, right? It made too much sense, the sensible thing to do. However, it is one thing playing well in a friendly, and another in a competitive Premier League game, but that is exactly what Brentford did today.
So, until proven otherwise, this definitely feels like the Bees' strongest XI as things stand. Things could change, particularly with such good depth on the bench these days, but until this current side proves otherwise, it definitely feels like the natural starting line up.
This is the year Brentford can secure Europe
With just one game a week, unlike teams such as Sunderland, Brighton and Hove Albion, Bournemouth and co, Brentford have a great chance of finally finishing in the European places, and this performance most certainly cemented that for all to see.
What cost the team last season was a lack of depth. Not having enough on the bench to turn those (many) draws into wins. But now, Andrews can turn to players like Callum Wilson, Jaidon Anthony and so on. This will be huge over the course of the season.
How great it is to have football back
Finally, just to simply say it is great to have football back at the Gtech Community Stadium. The World Cup - and its enormous length this time round - can make it easy to forget just how much promise was shown by this team last season. Back like they never left.
