Brentford’s Keith Andrews on Brighton’s Tactical Flexibility in Pre-Match Presser

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Brentford manager Keith Andrews spoke ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game away to Brighton, which kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 8 November at the American Express Community Stadium in Falmer. It is Matchweek 10.

Andrews spoke about Brighton’s confidence and their ability to change shape during games, and about how Brentford intend to play. He also covered the team’s rhythm after the previous break, and praised Caoimhin Kelleher and Igor Thiago.

On Brighton’s strengths

“They’ve clearly got really good spirit, they’ve recruited well, they’ve got an honesty around the group and they’re clearly playing with a lot of confidence.”

What he said

Andrews was asked about the opposition and listed spirit, recruitment, honesty and confidence as the qualities he sees in Brighton.

What he meant

His emphasis on confidence is supported by Brighton’s recent results. They have won four of their last six games in all competitions, scoring 12 and conceding two, including a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace and a 1-0 win away at Man City.

Brighton are third in the table on 19 points, with 24 goals scored and seven conceded in nine league games. Andrews appears to be describing a team whose numbers match what he sees.

On Brighton’s tactical flexibility

“You have to be very understanding of what they’re capable of, what they’re doing consistently, how they can tweak, what they tweak and when they tweak it.”

What he said

Andrews said Brentford need to understand what Brighton do consistently, and also how and when they adjust their approach during a game.

What he meant

This suggests Brentford’s preparation is built around reacting to in-game changes as well as a fixed Brighton shape. The comment fits with his next point, that his players must be smart about how and where they play the game.

Brighton have seven players listed as unavailable: Ferguson, Azeez, Kadioglu, Mitoma, Tzimas and Yohanna through injury, and Struijk for rest. Andrews did not mention team selection in the quotes provided.

On Brentford’s game plan

“We will need to play well and look after the ball. We will need to be smart with how we play the game, where we play the game and the players are already very aware of what Brighton will bring on Sunday. We’ve had a good week, we’re in a good place and we’re really looking forward to the game.”

What he said

Andrews set out two requirements for his side: play well and keep hold of the ball. He added that the players already know what Brighton will bring, and that preparation during the week had gone well.

What he meant

Emphasising possession and where the game is played points to a plan of controlling territory against a side that has scored 24 league goals. Brighton’s league record also shows only seven conceded, the fewest of the two sides.

Brentford have scored 16 and conceded nine in the league. Keeping the ball would limit the number of chances Brighton get to attack, which fits with Andrews’ wording.

On what Brentford can offer

“We’ve got the tools to cause them problems; we’ve got the tools to cause any team problems, but we’ll need to play very well.”

What he said

Andrews said Brentford have the ability to cause Brighton problems, as they would for any team, but added that they must play very well to do so.

What he meant

The second half of the sentence matters as much as the first. He backs his squad’s quality while making clear that a strong performance is the condition for it showing.

Brentford are sixth on 14 points, unbeaten in the league with only one defeat in nine games, though five of those have been draws. Their last six games in all competitions brought two wins, two draws and two defeats.

On Brentford’s rhythm after the break

“I think we were slightly out of our rhythm coming back from the previous one, such was the length of it and that was probably the concern. We tried to get back on to our page as quick as possible and we’re always looking to push this group as hard as we can.”

What he said

Andrews said Brentford were slightly out of rhythm when they returned from the previous break because of how long it was. He said the aim was to get back on track quickly and keep pushing the group.

What he meant

The results around the previous break back this up. Brentford beat Chelsea 3-0 on 18 September, then drew 2-2 at Aston Villa on 10 October and lost 2-1 at home to Liverpool a week later.

Since then they have drawn 1-1 at Hull, lost 3-2 at Sunderland and beaten Nottingham Forest 2-0 on 31 October. His comments suggest he sees the Forest result as a sign of the rhythm returning.

On Caoimhin Kelleher

“He’s a very special piece of our jigsaw. I have absolute calm and confidence in him when he’s playing. He’s in a really good rhythm of his career overall.”

What he said

Andrews praised Kelleher, calling him a very special piece of the squad and saying he has calm and confidence in him whenever he plays.

What he meant

The comment comes as Brentford have lost players to injury, suspension and surgery. Milambo, Carvalho, Dasilva, Furo and Henry are all listed as injured, and Yarmolyuk is out through a red card.

Praising an established figure while the squad is stretched suggests Andrews wants to stress stability where he has it.

On Igor Thiago

“I see everything behind the scenes, day-to-day, how much he wants it, how much he works, how selfless and devoted he is to becoming the best version of himself all the time. If you do things consistently well I think the outcome will happen – it’s just when.”

What he said

Andrews spoke about Igor Thiago’s attitude in training and day-to-day work. He said that if a player does things consistently well, the outcome will follow, though he could not say when.

What he meant

The phrase “it’s just when” reads as patience rather than concern. Andrews is backing the process he sees behind the scenes instead of pointing to a specific result.

With Brentford having scored 16 goals in nine league games, the comment fits his wider message that the group should keep pushing as hard as it can.

On the club’s journey

“From afar, I really enjoyed it [the club’s journey], looking at it and then when I had the opportunity to come here I didn’t really hesitate at all. It was a pretty easy decision, so to be a small part of that journey is very nice.”

What he said

Asked about the 200th Premier League game, Andrews said he enjoyed watching the club’s journey from afar and did not hesitate when the chance to join came up.

What he meant

The answer shows Andrews framing his time at Brentford as part of a longer story rather than focusing on his own role. He described himself as “a small part” of that journey.

Confidence check: Measured

Andrews sounds measured. He says the squad has had a good week and is “in a good place”, and he says Brentford have “the tools to cause any team problems”. Each of those lines comes with a condition, as he adds that they must play very well and look after the ball.

The table explains the tone. Brighton are third on 19 points with 24 goals scored and seven conceded, while Brentford are sixth on 14 points with 16 scored and nine conceded. Brighton have won four of their last six games in all competitions, while Brentford have won two of theirs.

Brentford have six players unavailable, one through suspension, against seven for Brighton. Andrews made no mention of either list in the quotes provided, and his description of Brighton’s spirit, recruitment and confidence reads as respect for an opponent in form.

How to watch

Brighton vs Brentford kicks off at 2pm UK time on Sunday 8 November, live on Sky Sports+. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.

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