There is so much to admire about Brentford, both on and off the pitch and I talk about them often as one of the two best run clubs in world football and they are, and not just because they are the team I have loved man and boy! Media and neutrals have largely given them a very favourable press, although I have seen some odd comments about them at times, including that they are "negative" and "masters of the dark arts", the first is clearly rubbish and only one team outside the top 6 has scored more goals and xGF suggests that their total of 56 goals is right on the money and pretty much every week they are playing a club with a FAR bigger budget and greater resources, also, the comments usually come with a large bunch of sour grapes from supporters of teams who have just come up short against the West London giants .

The "dark arts" bit made me laugh out loud, as typical accusations from Bees supporters are that players do not hound the referee and/or "take one" (professional foul) for the team enough, but it did get me thinking, especially as I saw Brighton live on Saturday for the third time this season (multiple times on TV) and came away thinking that they have become far more physical and even a little cynical under Fabian Hurzeler. Don't get me wrong, I admire the Seagulls greatly, they are the "other" best run club, but the change has been noticeable to my eyes, however, on reflection I thought maybe I should check that out and they have indeed created more fouls this season ,the 4th most (11th in 23/24), but that is not reflected as strongly with yellow (69) and red cards (3), the latter is the same as last season and they have five games to better that! In terms of yellow cards they are on track for 12 fewer, but we would need to look in more detail at referee numbers etc to get a true understanding if they have become "dirty"! Joao Pedro was sent off for Brighton at the Gtech at the weekend and he should also have received his marching orders in the reverse fixture for a very similar offence and I have made my mind up, so let's just say that they have! BTW, the two teams who have made the most fouls in the EPL this season are, for the second season running and in the same order Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves have been second in this table three seasons running and need to up their game if they want to win in 25/26 as Leeds United, who beat them in 2022/23 are on their way back to the top flight!

Cleanest teams in the EPL and it is not even close are Manchester City and ..................Brentford! The two have committed the fewest fouls, a repective 251 and 266 ( 79 fewer than the next team), they have one red card each ( no one has none) and the Bees have received the fewest yellow cards (48) with City (53) next best. Everyone "knows" that match officials favour the big clubs and the Bees have far less possession than City, so the award goes to Brentford (no favouritism!) .  Masters of the dark arts my foot! They are so clean they squeak!

Good luck!