Brentford v Brighton in the Benham v Bloom derby
Nothing is more motivating than cold, hard, cash. Just ask the players of Brighton & Hove Albion as they prepare to take on Brentford in the game otherwise known as the Matthew Benham v Tony Bloom derby.
Whenever Seagulls face Bees, the rumour goes that Bloom is so desperate not to lose to his hated rival that he puts up a significant win bonus for the Albion.
Since Benham took control of Brentford in 2012, he and Bloom have crossed swords on the football pitch nine time. Brighton have lost just twice. Make sure you remember to subtly encourage the Albion again, Tony.
Other aspects of the Benham v Bloom rivalry are becoming better known amongst the wider footballing public now that Brentford and Brighton are both in the Premier League.
The story of how they fell out – even with the finer details shrouded in secrecy from both sides – is common knowledge.
Benham the apprentice striking out on his own having learnt everything from Bloom the master of sports betting, data and analytics.
Like Star Wars but with less lightsabers, more numbers and money and no far away planet which resembles a giant volcano.
Everyone now also knows that Bloom’s bitterness runs deep enough for him shun the directors’ box whenever the Albion go to Brentford.
When Brighton visited the Brentford Community Stadium last September – since renamed the Gtech Stadium apparently – Bloom sat in with the away supporters.
He was the happiest man amongst the travelling hoards when Leandro Trossard struck that 88th minute winner to give the Albion a 1-0 victory on their first ever visit to the Bees’ impressive new home.
Which brings us nicely onto our next question – has Bloom been selected at random to collect his ticket on production of photo ID from a Checkpoint Charlie Oatway that the Albion are setting up outside the ground?
Brentford away represents the first time that Brighton’s controversial new away ticketing policy comes into play, dreamt up by new head of security Kin Jong-un.
Collections of tickets on the day for some fans. The promise of random spot checks on others to make sure that names on driving licenses match what is scrawled on every ticket in felt tip pen. Pity the poor sod at the Amex given the most mind numbingly boring task in the world.
“Write names on these 1,500 tickets will you? Then when you are done, do the same for these 3,000 tickets for Manchester City away. Which hasn’t even sold out, so anyone can get a ticket regardless of loyalty points. Cheers.”
There was a time when watching Brighton away was simple. Jump on train. Go to pub. Go to game. Go to pub. Come home. Feel hungover for the next three days.
In 2022, it involves checking train strikes. Praying Sky or BT Sports do not rearrange at late notice. Getting to a ground early to collect a ticket. Proving who you are with photo ID, a utility bill, a bank statement, your National Insurance number and a blood sample signed and verified by two doctors.
Brighton are at least making jumping through so many hoops worth it. The Albion have been flying on the road, losing just once away from home so far this season.
The bounty put up by Bloom for taking out Brentford will provide added encouragement for a Friday night win under the lights. So too will writing the wrongs of last week’s 1-0 defeat to Spurs.
Roberto De Zerbi admitted afterwards that he got his setup wrong. What he learns from that and how he reacts will be fascinating.
Has defeat and no goals scored against Tottenham given him the perfect excuse to introduce his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation in place of Graham Potter’s 3-4-3 which De Zerbi has stuck by for his first two games in charge?
When the teams are announced at the Gtech Stadium, much of the Albion focus will be on whether Kaoru Mitoma starts.
There is an increasing clamour from Seagulls supporters for the Japanese international to be given a full Premier League debut following a succession of encouraging displays from the bench.
In a little over 25 minutes against Spurs, Mitoma did enough to top the WAB Player Ratings. He has stated his case for an opportunity to De Zerbi.
And if De Zerbi grants it, where does Mitoma come in? Is his defensive game good enough to replace Pervis Estupinan at left wing back?
Might Mitoma support Danny Welbeck instead of Solly March? March and Trossard are the two Brighton players that De Zerbi has talked about most frequently since his appointment, stressing their importance and his belief that he can help them score more goals.
Having been at pains to highlight March, would De Zerbi drop him after two games? It seems like the best way to get Mitoma into that XI is by changing formation, which again may tilt the balance towards 4-2-3-1.
Not knowing what is going to happen adds more excitement to what is usually a good away trip anyway. There was a time in the late 90s and early 00s when going to Griffin Park meant no goals scored and often a 4-0 defeat.
Even when Brighton won promotion in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 campaigns, they lost 4-0 at Brentford. If only Dick Knight had been rich enough to put up a win bonus when facing the Bees for Danny Cullip, Gary Hart, Richard Carpenter, Nathan Jones et all.
A ridiculous own goal to secure a 1-0 win at Griffin Park at the start of Mad March when Gus Poyet He Who Must Not Be Named’s Brighton won eight consecutive matches in the space of a month during the 2010-11 League One title winning season started the turnaround.
Since then, the Albion have lost just once away against Brentford. It is a fixture normally good for a late goal too. Trossard last time out followed in the footsteps of Tomer Hemed in that crazy 2016-17 campaign 3-3 draw.
Chris Hughton’s first game in charge saw Lewis Dunk and then Chris O’Grady net in the 88th and 90th minutes to give Brighton a 2-0 FA Cup third round win. If O’Grady scores, we’re on the pitch…
Who knows what Brentford v Brighton, Benham v Bloom will hold on this occasion. See you (and Tony Bloom) in the queue for ticket collection and remember your birth certificate to show the Albion who you are.
