Nathan Collins D Brentford b.2001

[Jolly Red Giant]

Sounds like he went OK today. He is starting out of necessity more than anything at the moment with all the defensive injuries, in truth. But maybe he can play himself back into form. I think maybe he has believed the hype a bit too much in the last couple of years, maybe tries to do too much with the ball but hasn't focused enough on the nuts and bolts of defending - marking, concentration etc. I'm still hopeful he'll come good.

Collins normally plays on the right of a back three at Brentford - today he was playing on the left, replacing Mee - not his natural position.

[EalingGreen]

Sounds like he went OK today. He is starting out of necessity more than anything at the moment with all the defensive injuries, in truth. But maybe he can play himself back into form. I think maybe he has believed the hype a bit too much in the last couple of years, maybe tries to do too much with the ball but hasn't focused enough on the nuts and bolts of defending - marking, concentration etc. I'm still hopeful he'll come good.

Wasn't at the game myself, but speaking to my mate who was, plus looking at the fans' forums, I'm afraid he wasn't "OK". Now tbf, he probably wasn't any worse than the two other CB's, plus he was out of position on the left, as JRG says.

Either way, even while their attacking play is very good, and the gk has found some form, BFC's defence is leaking goals alarmingly. Hardly surprising when their first choice back five from last season are all missing. While the general concensus on NC is that his confidence is shot, but there is literally no-one else to take his place and allow him a period out of the spotlight to get his confidence back.

Still, for his sake it must be hoped that "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

[seanfhear]

Wasn't at the game myself, but speaking to my mate who was, plus looking at the fans' forums, I'm afraid he wasn't "OK". Now tbf, he probably wasn't any worse than the two other CB's, plus he was out of position on the left, as JRG says.

Either way, even while their attacking play is very good, and the gk has found some form, BFC's defence is leaking goals alarmingly. Hardly surprising when their first choice back five from last season are all missing. While the general concensus on NC is that his confidence is shot, but there is literally no-one else to take his place and allow him a period out of the spotlight to get his confidence back.

Still, for his sake it must be hoped that "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

That's what makes on professional at one's job. It'd the hard that makes you hard.

[ifk101]

That Brentford defence seems positional unsure and clueless as to who is supposed to be picking up who. The second Chelsea goal the example. Brentford outnumbered Chelsea in the box but two Chelsea players had free runs at the back post to attack the ball. Looks like Collins is at fault for the goal but the back three are not in sync.

[backstothewall]

He was waving an imaginary card today against Arsenal when Havertz went down very easily.

Embarrassing.

[seanfhear]

He was waving an imaginary card today against Arsenal when Havertz went down very easily.

Embarrassing.

Did he not get a Valentines day card ? !

[Eirambler]

Part of a defence that conceded three today and had a right good row with Ivan Toney on the pitch at the end of the game.

[Eirambler]

Big turnaround in the space of a month for Collins, has been one of Brentford's best players recently and seems to now be winning over their supporters. Hopefully he can continue the better form into next season.

Him, O'Shea and Omobamidele have all been good in the Premier League recently, albeit for three of the less fashionable teams. Stick Kelleher behind them and get Jake O'Brien involved and that should be a really solid base to work from for the next few years.

[EalingGreen]

Big turnaround in the space of a month for Collins, has been one of Brentford's best players recently and seems to now be winning over their supporters. Hopefully he can continue the better form into next season.

Was at BFC v Fulham on Saturday (also v Sheff U last month, won 2-0) and NC was very good in both (even if hardly tested by Sheff U).

He's clearly over the 'blip' he had earlier in the season and should be looking forward to next season with confidence. The only thing I'd add is that it's important that he has Ethan Pinnock fit and available beside him next season, since Pinnock, 31 later this month, is an absolute rock - imo one of the best 5 or 6 CB's in the entire PL, criminally underrated. Collins can learn from him.

[EalingGreen]

Longish interview/profile on the Brentford website:

https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/...ford-interview

[JR89]

Played a big part in Brentfords second goal. Better connection on the shot and might have scored himself.

[Drummerboy2]

I thought Collins played well yesterday. Looked good on the ball, and seemed to handle Eze well, blocking a few of shots from the Palace ace. Would love to see him paired with O'Shea but Pinnock may stand in his way. Perhaps a back three

[EalingGreen]

I thought Collins played well yesterday. Looked good on the ball, and seemed to handle Eze well, blocking a few of shots from the Palace ace. Would love to see him paired with O'Shea but Pinnock may stand in his way. Perhaps a back three

He's currently leading in the MOTM vote on the main Bees' fans forum. I was at the game and while I thought he was certainly very good, he probably wouldn't have been my choice but hey, what do I know?

As for O'Shea replacing Pinnock, that may be BFC's long term plan, but from the way Pinnock played yesterday, he has to be the first name on the team (any position) - an absolute rock. O'Shea may get a place alongside Pinnock and Collins in a back three, but he'll have to oust Ajer (did ok yesterday) and Mee (made a brief comeback as sub) first. Imo if O'Shea signs (still not absol certain), it will be for the medium-long term, not the here-and-now.

[liamoo11]

He's currently leading in the MOTM vote on the main Bees' fans forum. I was at the game and while I thought he was certainly very good, he probably wouldn't have been my choice but hey, what do I know?

As for O'Shea replacing Pinnock, that may be BFC's long term plan, but from the way Pinnock played yesterday, he has to be the first name on the team (any position) - an absolute rock. O'Shea may get a place alongside Pinnock and Collins in a back three, but he'll have to oust Ajer (did ok yesterday) and Mee (made a brief comeback as sub) first. Imo if O'Shea signs (still not absol certain), it will be for the medium-long term, not the here-and-now.

Did they play a back 4 yesterday with ajer as a left full?

[ifk101]

Yes, Ajer was LB.

Watched the game myself. Thought Collins was ok, Brentford as a whole were defensively shaky. From an Ireland perspective, O'Shea going to Brentford would not be ideal as I'd be confident he'll push Collins out of the Brentford team. Collins arguably has a higher bar in terms of potential, but O'Shea is a consistent and reliable performer.

(Pinnock was a bit sluggish yesterday imo.)

[EalingGreen]

Did they play a back 4 yesterday with ajer as a left full?

No, back three with Collins on right, Pinnock in centre and Ajer on left. This despite Ajer being right footed and Pinnock being left footed - Frank clearly wants to build the defence round Pinnock. As it happens, Ajer, who's 6'5" was caught out in the air at the back post for the Palace goal, which deflected in off Pinnock. And Pinnock gave him a right mouthfull for it, I can tell you.

Meanwhile Roerslev played RWB and the left footed Janelt, normally a midfielder, was LWB, to complete the 3-5-2.

That's one of the things about BFC. Usually lower half teams only have one "house-style", but BFC vary their set-up and tactics depending on the opposition. Against top teams, esp those which press high, they defend deep and try to hit them on the counter. But against teams like Palace, they play out from the back. This in turn dictates whether they play four at the back, or three.

[elatedscum]

Has been excellent so far in the first 60 mins. Stopped a sure goal from Jota and got a great block on a Salah shot. Two important headers defending corners.

Took an elbow in.the face for which Jota could easily have seen red. And came closest to scoring for Brentford, Alisson made a very good save from a Collins header

[SkStu]

They’re losing but I think Collins is having another good game in the circumstances. He’s very solid on that right side of the three and carries and passes the ball so well. Seems to be staying mentally switched on too which is a fault I’d have seen in him before. Drew a fantastic save from Allison from a corner and blocked a goal bound shot a minute later at the other end.

[SkStu]

Came here to post something very similar. Went to edit the post to say “you got there before me ES” - and it deleted the whole post… grrr…

He’s been great overall and doing really well in the circumstances. Carries and passes the ball so well from that right sided position in the back three and stays mentally switched on which is a fault I’d have called out from him in previous seasons. Great to see the development. The save from Allison was fantastic and the block at the other end came about a minute later. Doing really well.

[mark12345]

Came here to post something very similar. Went to edit the post to say “you got there before me ES” - and it deleted the whole post… grrr…

He’s been great overall and doing really well in the circumstances. Carries and passes the ball so well from that right sided position in the back three and stays mentally switched on which is a fault I’d have called out from him in previous seasons. Great to see the development. The save from Allison was fantastic and the block at the other end came about a minute later. Doing really well.

Was watching the game on American TV. Commentators John Champion and Stephen Warnock (former Liverpool full-back). Warnock could not say enough good things about Collins, gushing over him at times.