The Football.....

[Dave7]

I agree with @ianrauk . Frank was the proverbial 'big fish in a little pond'. IMO Gerrard did the same when he left Rangers.

 

[PaulSB]

there appear to be no penalties or sanctions against clubs for doing so though, which I dont think is the case in the Premier League anymore. and its hard not to feel some clubs might see it as advantageous sometimes to not put as much work or expense into ensure games can be played.

As far as I'm aware there are no penalties or sanctions in the Premier League for match postponement. There are standards all clubs are expected to match. Personally I can't see how any club can be sanctioned for a weather event. There's a huge difference between a pitch being able to drain anticipated rainfall levels and a sudden deluge.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

I always thought he made a huge mistake leaving Brentford for the poison chalice.

I agree with @ianrauk . Frank was the proverbial 'big fish in a little pond'. IMO Gerrard did the same when he left Rangers.

I agree with @ianrauk but I don't think "big fish in a little pond" is quite the right description, as it suggests dominating smaller opposition but being eaten by bigger fish when you move up (e.g. being a great manager in the championship, but not able to compete in the prem). Brentford and Spurs are both in the same league, for now.

The reality is that Brentford, like other smaller clubs who have risen to the prem and stayed there, are built on great recruitment of underpriced players (moneyball) without superstar egos. The players use the club as a stepping stone to bigger contracts elsewhere, CL footy etc, but are replaced by other good non-superstar options. Managing superstar egos, superstar agents and the expectations of a permanently deluded/permanently defeatist fanbase aren't necessary there. You put out a decent team with decent players and coach them well. If you beat a big team that's a bonus. If you end top half or get to Europe you've performed.

If "the pond" is the club rather than the league then the saying might ...err... hold more water, but I don't think it's the size of the pond that's the issue, but that it's got piranhas in it.



Anyway, aside from that, Spurs played last night, their next game is home to us (Arsenal) in a week and a half. We play tomorrow, and then twice more - three times in all (Brentford a, Wigan h, Wolves a) - between their last match and the game against them, so timing-wise it's a smart move for them. Hopefully not another new manager bounce . Just had Man U, and Wigan have a new man as well.... We're also a bit of a blessing for a new manager - it's a no lose match. Even for the derby v Spurs, nobody actually expects a result against us so expectations are low, and as long as the players run about a bit and look like they "want it" the fans will be fine - while any actual result is a win.