Brentford will embark on a brave new world next season, when “mathematical modelling” takes over. They will do it without their current manager, Mark Warburton.
This is the same Warburton who guided them to promotion from League One last season; the same Warburton who has led them to seventh place in the Championship – and only five points off an automatic promotion place – this season; and the same Warburton who devised a cunning plan to tenaciously dismantle Bournemouth, the long-time Championship leaders, at Griffin Park .
It is unlikely any mathematical model was used in Warburton’s pre-match tactical talk because the former City trader has opted out of the brave – some might say crazy – new world of Matthew Benham, who owns Brentford.
On the evidence in west London, Warburton’s secret of success is more about organisation, determination, passion and pride. It all proved too much for Bournemouth and although Brentford might have had a helping hand from the opposition goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, who palmed an Alex Pritchard free-kick into his own net shortly before half-time, they were good value for their victory. “In Warbs We Trust” read a T-shirt, worn by a mascot, before kick off. That “Warbs” will leave at the end of the season, citing “key philosophical differences” with Benham, is still puzzling in the extreme.
At least, now, there is clarity, not confusion. “Yes, a perfect end to a difficult week,” Warburton said. “And a fantastic reaction from my players. All character and commitment, all these words we use time and again. We were outstanding and, for the neutral, that was a great game of football. We’ve got 14 games now to be best prepared and we’ll see where we are come 2 May.”
Warburton will be gone shortly after that, a point that Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager and another bright thinker outside the Premier League, found rather odd. “Seeing the position that Brentford are in and knowing the manager’s not going to be here at the end of the season, I think that’s strange,” Howe said. “I don’t think anyone can say anything other. But every owner has the right to run the football club as they see fit. They now have clarity to the situation and they can move forward.”
Bournemouth would have gone back to the top of the Championship with a win, as Middlesbrough had slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Leeds United earlier in the day. But they fell behind, when Alex Pritchard crossed from the right and Jonathan Douglas turned his markers to drive the ball home. Marc Pugh levelled, following up from close range after his initial effort had struck a post, but the parity was short-lived as Boruc did his best clown impression.
“That was a tough one for us to take,” Howe said. “The ball moved in the air a bit but that’s the life of a goalkeeper sometimes. I’m not going to crucify him for one mistake.” Boruc atoned for his error, as Bournemouth swarmed forward for another equaliser and left space at the back, with fine saves from Jota, twice, and Pritchard. But he could do little when the impressive Pritchard crossed from the right and the substitute, Chris Long, tucked it away at the far post. One more game gone, 14 to go. Warburton, a model and modern manager in many ways, will be missed.
