Nathan Collins D Brentford b.2001

**EalingGreen** · 22/08/2023, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

That was what the pre-game lineup showed (four at the back), but it seemed pretty clear to me for large portions of the match that it was in practice a back three.

Never mind that BFC's FB's were able to get forward more than anticipated, esp Henry (an absolute flyer) and also after Fulham went down to 10 men, that was a back four which Frank picked for that game.

Frank picks his formations/tactics according to the opposition: Against a top team which is flying etc, esp away from home, it's usually a back 5. But against an equal or lesser team he normally goes back 4.

Anyhow, Ben Mee may be fit for Saturday (C.Palace at home), so it will be interesting to see whether he comes back in, or is on the bench (don't want/need to rush him).

**EalingGreen** · 27/08/2023, 10:40 PM

Played another 90 mins in a back four in Brentford's 2-2 home draw with Palace. Was at the game and would say he had another v.good game, marred only by a misjudgement for Palace's equaliser. (Didn't have a good view myself, but TV replay suggested that instead of blocking the attempt, he left it for the gk, but it went through the latter's legs).

Anyhow, Ben Mee wasn't yet fit to play yesterdfay, but almost certainly will be brought back in for BFC's League Cup game away to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening if fit. NC will probably make way for Mee, unless Frank decides to rest Pinnock instead.

**JR89** · 27/08/2023, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Played another 90 mins in a back four in Brentford's 2-2 home draw with Palace. Was at the game and would say he had another v.good game, marred only by a misjudgement for Palace's equaliser. (Didn't have a good view myself, but TV replay suggested that instead of blocking the attempt, he left it for the gk, but it went through the latter's legs).

Anyhow, Ben Mee wasn't yet fit to play yesterdfay, but almost certainly will be brought back in for BFC's League Cup game away to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening if fit. NC will probably make way for Mee, unless Frank decides to rest Pinnock instead.

Even if the keeper calls for that you put it into row z and tell him where to go if he has an issue with it.

**EalingGreen** · 28/08/2023, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by JR89

Even if the keeper calls for that you put it into row z and tell him where to go if he has an issue with it.

Apparently "Flekken had urged Collins to leave the ball, he duly jumped up and that allowed Andersen to cancel out Kevin Schade’s delightful first-half effort."

Anyhow, more about NC's settling in at Brentford here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...after-30796660

**Eirambler** · 28/08/2023, 12:15 PM

In a split second moment like that, if the keeper calls you jump out of the way or else you get a deserved bollocking afterwards. That one's on Flekken.

**JR89** · 28/08/2023, 5:38 PM

Originally Posted by Eirambler

In a split second moment like that, if the keeper calls you jump out of the way or else you get a deserved bollocking afterwards. That one's on Flekken.

Disagree, because now Collins looks like a fool for moving out the way and letting the player score.

**Eirambler** · 29/08/2023, 8:15 AM

You're judging it based on the outcome though, which Collins couldn't possibly have done in the circumstances. If the keeper calls for it, as a defender (and I'm speaking from experience here) you heed the call and trust that your keeper, who has a better view of the situation, has called it correctly. Of course, if he's messed up, which he did in this case, you end up looking like an idiot, but you can be certain Flekken's the one getting the blame in the Monday post match review for that.

**nigel-harps1954** · 29/08/2023, 2:37 PM

Originally Posted by Eirambler

You're judging it based on the outcome though, which Collins couldn't possibly have done in the circumstances. If the keeper calls for it, as a defender (and I'm speaking from experience here) you heed the call and trust that your keeper, who has a better view of the situation, has called it correctly. Of course, if he's messed up, which he did in this case, you end up looking like an idiot, but you can be certain Flekken's the one getting the blame in the Monday post match review for that.

And speaking as a goalkeeper, and goalkeeper coach, you still rely on your defender making a split second decision based on what danger they see in front of them. Goalkeepers can mistake judgement too.

For me, if the keeper shouted, he takes partial blame, but Collins should still have recognised the danger and put the boot through it when it so was close to goal.

**Diggs246** · 29/08/2023, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by Eirambler

You're judging it based on the outcome though, which Collins couldn't possibly have done in the circumstances. If the keeper calls for it, as a defender (and I'm speaking from experience here) you heed the call and trust that your keeper, who has a better view of the situation, has called it correctly. Of course, if he's messed up, which he did in this case, you end up looking like an idiot, but you can be certain Flekken's the one getting the blame in the Monday post match review for that.

I was a defender too and under no circumstances would I rely on a keepers shout in those circumstances. Clear your lines... clear your lines

**EalingGreen** · 29/08/2023, 6:41 PM

Mee back in tonight in the EFL Cup away to Newport. Looks like a back three alongside Xanka and Ajer (squad players), with NC on the bench and Pinnock rested completely.

Basically this is a 'B' team, with only Janelt a regular Prem starter (Mee aside)

**Olé Olé** · 02/09/2023, 1:03 PM

Ben Mee back into Brentford team ahead of Collins today v Bournemouth. Not the end of the world but interesting to see Mee get his game quickly enough.

**JR89** · 02/09/2023, 3:58 PM

Collins showing why he should probably be starting with passes like that for the assist for the equaliser.

**JR89** · 02/09/2023, 4:33 PM

**Olé Olé** · 02/09/2023, 4:51 PM

Fine ball and he was under enough pressure too. Mbeumo had a lot to do but when you provide an assist from your own half then it's a good day of work.

**tetsujin1979** · 16/09/2023, 4:04 PM

A short thread on Nathan Collins' 50th Premier League appearance today, the only Irish player under 30 with 50 PL appearances

**tommy_c12000** · 23/09/2023, 6:03 PM

Silly mistake again got Evertons third goal, he just doesn’t seem to be able to stamp them out

**SkStu** · 23/09/2023, 6:15 PM

Overall he’s played well again though, I’d say. He’s so good on the front foot.

**tommy_c12000** · 23/09/2023, 6:18 PM

Beto has been giving him a tough time I thought, Collins doesn’t seem to win the share of defensive headers you’d expect. Had looked good on the ball up to that moment though

**SkStu** · 27/12/2023, 7:12 PM

At fault for Wolves’ second and third goals today. Crap back pass and crap forward pass respectively.

**SkStu** · 27/12/2023, 8:25 PM

Collins at fault again for Wolves’ fourth. Another terrible pass at the back. A hatrick of errors.

His concentration seems to be his major achilles heel. We’ve seen it a few times in green over the last 12-18 months - costly positioning mistakes, passes, etc. maybe he’s just going through his John Stones 2016/17 phase.