There’s a very different feel about West Ham United now, and Brentford boss Keith Andrews knows it.
While West Ham United did beat Brentford on penalties in the FA Cup not too long ago, their reverse Premier League fixture earlier this season was a miserable outing for the Hammers.
What changes are you making to this team? Just don’t think Wilson should start 😬
Indeed, West Ham have an awful record against Brentford and that was on fully display back in October when the Bees won 2-0 at the London Stadium in Nuno Espirito Santo’s first home game in charge.
Still, things have changed since and Andrews does not expect history to repeat itself.
Andrews says Saturday’s game is just as big for Brentford
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Brentford versus West Ham, Andrews said: “They’re in very good form and playing very well.
“It creates a misleading game, I suppose. At a different stage of the season, there might have been a different kind of feel to the game, but this is a huge game for them.
Tell us your Brentford demands and score predictions!
“The message I’ve given our players is that it’s also a massive game for us. The outside world might see it as a bigger game for West Ham, that’s not the case for us.
“We’re going to fight hard to try and win the game.”
It certainly is worth remembering that this is a huge game for the west London side. That, sadly is something of a reality check.
Anyone hoping that Brentford are on the beach already has another thing coming. While the wins have dried up in recent weeks, there’s still a very good chance they could qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
It’s easy to focus on the relegation battle. Even onlookers outside of the West Ham bubble will be casting keen eyes towards the bottom of the Premier League table because of the soap opera unfolding at Tottenham.
Still, Brentford remain a serious outfit and have goals of their own. This really is a difficult game for West Ham, perhaps more so than the task awaiting Spurs.
Their opponents on Sunday are Aston Villa, who have all-but sealed Champions League qualification and will no doubt have one eye on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
West Ham have a lot of momentum right now, but Saturday is a game laced with risk.
It is not to be taken lightly.
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