- Brentford will not let Haaland stroll to a historic third hat-trick in succession
- The Bees’ tall and physical defenders will make it tough for the Norwegian striker
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I can practically hear the lack of empathy from my Mail Sport sparring partner Simon Jordan in my ears as I write this, but it’s no coincidence the two best performers this season both enjoyed a restful summer.
That is Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. They weren’t living out of suitcases for weeks on end like everyone else at the European Championship.
They were hibernating. Healing. Waiting to be unleashed on the unfortunate souls who dare try to stop their insatiable thirst for goals in the Premier League.
There is a serious debate to be had over the ridiculous workload of footballers today because they are being asked to go again and again in what is becoming a survival of the fittest.
Once Simon’s eyes have rolled back into the forward position, he may remind me how the Premier League’s players are paid handsomely for their troubles.
It’s no coincidence the two best performers this season Erling Haaland (pictured) and Mohamed Salah both enjoyed a restful summer
Brentford will not let Haaland stroll to a historic third hat-trick in succession on Saturday
True, but we do not want to kill our golden geese. We want to see them flying, and Haaland and Salah are living proof that less is more.
As much as I would have relished the challenge of taking on Haaland in my heyday, I’ll happily leave it to Brentford’s central defenders on Saturday.
That’s if Haaland feels he is ready to play after the sad news of family friend Ivar Eggja passing away. This season, Manchester City’s striker has been relentless. He has looked even better for being recharged — he’s single-handedly scored more goals than 17 Premier League clubs.
If he does start, Brentford will not let him stroll to a historic third hat-trick in succession. You will struggle to find a club with a bigger pack of beastly defenders.
There is Nathan Collins, 6ft 4in. Ethan Pinnock, 6ft 4in. Kristoffer Ajer, 6ft 6in. Plus Ben Mee, who is shorter at 5ft 11in but has a history of battling with Haaland which includes the two exchanging little pinches in the back.
There is nothing wrong with that, of course. I tried that tactic myself. You’ve got to let your opponent know he won’t have an easy ride with you, and that you won’t merely be his passenger.
Whoever finds himself marking Haaland, it is imperative that he blocks the City striker’s pathway and stops him from making those killer sprints into scoring positions.
The Bees’ tall and physical defenders Ben Mee (far left) and Ethan Pinnock (centre) will make it tough for the Norwegian striker
Brentford boss Thomas Frank faced a dilemma over this international break in how to set up his side to stop City, namely in whether to go with a back-three or a back-four.
When Brentford have faced the Premier League’s strongest sides in the past, they have tended to trust a three, with the wing backs dropping to turn it into a five. But Frank has used a four in every outing this season, including away at Liverpool.
Whichever system he selects, Brentford will need to be at their absolute unforgiving best if they are up against Haaland to stop him from tormenting yet another team after his return from a summer of rest.
