Brentford is the next team to travel to the ASSEAL New York Stadium to face Paul Warne’s Rotherham United. Here we take a look at who the Millers will be facing in our opposition analysis…
In the Dugout
Thomas Frank will be the man in the dugout for Brentford on Saturday. The 45-year old Danish international began as a youth coach in 1995, starting at Frederiksværk BK. Frank was a youth coach for 18 years, coaching Hvidovre IF, B93 and Lyngby before taking Denmark U16 side in 2008. He managed Denmark at U17 and U19 level before joining Brøndby IF in 2013. He joined Brentford as an assistant in 2016, before stepping up to become permanent boss in October 2018 following Dean Smith’s departure to Aston Villa.
Stats
Brentford sit in 17th in the Sky Bet Championship. They have the third top scorer of the league in their ranks with Neal Maupay. The French striker has scored 15 goals for Brentford this season and is monitored by Premier League clubs. The Bees are unbeaten in their last five league appearances, winning twice and drawing three. In their last fixture, they won 3-1 at home against Stoke City. After Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross scored an own goal to open the scoring, further strikes from Said Benrahma and Rico Henry sealed all three points for the Bees, despite Benik Afobe scoring for Stoke.
Previous Meetings
This is the 64th meeting between these sides, with the first meeting being in the FA Cup in January 1948. Rotherham have won 25 of these fixtures while Brentford have won 22 times. There have been 16 draws between these sides. Brentford have won the last two times these teams have met with the last fixture being a 5-1 victory on the opening day of this season. A brace from Maupay as well as further goals from Sergi Canos, Ollie Watkins and Lewis Macleod sealed all three points for the Bees, despite Will Vaulks scoring for the Millers in stoppage time.
The last time Rotherham beat Brentford was in August 2016 at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. A 36th minute goal by Danny Ward sealed all three points for the Millers that day.
Ones to Watch
Our Ones to Watch start with goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. The 25-year old started as a centre-half for his local side Hutton Medway. After appearing as a goalkeeper for the side as a one-off, he was spotted by Arsenal and was at the Premier League side from 2008 before joining Southend United. After his debut in 2009, Bentley became their number one goalkeeper, making over 140 appearances for the Shrimpers. Bentley also spent time on loan at Braintree Town in 2011 and he joined Brentford in 2016 following the conclusion of his Southend contract for a compensation fee of £1.1 million.
In defence, summer signing Ezri Konsa is a young star in the making. The 21-year old came through the Charlton Athletic Academy, where he made over 70 appearances. He also has represented England U20 and U21 sides before joining Brentford this summer.
In midfield, captain Romaine Sawyers is the main man in the middle. The former West Brom youth made a name for himself at Walsall, making over 130 appearances for the League One club. He joined Brentford in 2016 and he represented Saint Kitts and Nevis internationally at both U23 and senior level.
Upfront, Neal Maupay is one of the most in-form strikers in the Championship. Currently in joint third and only one goal off the golden boot top spot, the French striker will be looking to extend his goal tally. The former Nice and St Étienne has represented France at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level.