View from the visitors: Natalie Sawyer on Brentford’s fast start, Pep’s influence, Frank’s Bees and City’s Academy | OneFootball

We spoke to media presenter and Brentford fan Natalie Sawyer ahead of the Bees’ trip to the Etihad Stadium this Saturday.

Sawyer spent 18 years at Sky Sports News and became synonymous with their transfer deadline day coverage as well as hosting and presenting a variety of broadcasts.

She departed the channel in 2018 and can now be heard on TalkSPORT and different sporting podcasts.

What have you made of Brentford’s start to the season?

I’m delighted with Brentford’s start - we all knew our away trip to Anfield would be difficult being Arne Slot’s first home game in charge, and also we don't have a good record there, but to have won our first two home games, scoring five in the process is a decent start. And we know that making the Gtech a fortress - that it has been before - is crucial to a good season.

What are your hopes for the season?

We all want to forget the difficulties of last season and although we were never in the bottom three and have never been since our promotion to the Premier League, it will be nice to steer well clear of the relegation picture this time around. Injuries were a massive problem for us last season, losing a chunk of our first XI so having our best players return and stay injury free will also be a massive plus!

How do you view the job Thomas Frank has done at Brentford?

Legend is a word that needs to be cautiously used in football as it’s too easily banded about but there is no doubt that is what Thomas Frank is.

He’ll be the first to say it’s a team effort with his coaches, staff and players but he’s the coach that got us promoted, the coach that has given us belief we can compete in this league with some of our performances and results, and dealt with our injury crisis last season incredibly to ensure we have a fourth straight Premier League season to look forward to.

He’s rightfully earned the plaudits for everything he’s achieved with Brentford and I’ll be forever thankful for what he’s delivered for us Bees fans.

What’s next for Brentford’s attack following Toney’s departure?

Last season we had to deal without Toney for five months or so of the season and we started brilliantly with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa combining.

Injuries did wreck that start but this season has started well for those two front men and with Kevin Schade back to add further pace to the team, there’s no reason we can’t be confident that they can continue to click.

Adding in the talents of new boys, Fabio Carvalho, Gustavo Nunes as well as the positive drive from Keane Lewis Potter there’s lots to like about the attacking options.

Who from Brentford should City be wary of ahead of the match?

Mbeumo and Wissa. They’ve clicked straight away this season and they know each others game so well so already we are benefitting from that.

They aren’t phased by who they face, they relish the opportunities to perform on the big stage and with Mbeumo’s pace on the right, Schade’s on the left, hopefully we can cause problems!

Are there any City moments or matches that stand out to you from your time covering football?

Apart from being the last team to win at the Etihad in 90 minutes! I was there for that game and wow what an experience that was. It was the perfect away performance, going at City early on and then of course winning it with that 90th minute counter goal.

Of course you can't not mention the playoff final with Gillingham which was just one of those incredible games that can’t be forgotten.

To be 2-0 down heading into the 90th minute, with fans leaving Wembley thinking it’s all over and you go onto win the match on penalties - that is just phenomenal.

How do you think Pep Guardiola has changed the way the game is played in England?

Every team wants to play like City.  Every team wants to play out with confidence, with flair and with purpose and that’s what Pep has cultivated. His style has filtered to Sunday league and kids football. That's how progressive he is. He’s a master of his field and I’m intrigued to see what he does next? Back to 4-4-2 with dogged, pragmatism? I doubt it!

Are there any City players you particularly like?

It’s a long list but when you have a goal machine like Erling Haaland it’s difficult to see past him. Also Rodri makes City tick and the way 19 year old Rico Lewis has taken to life in the team is pretty impressive. When City unearth their academy products, you have to stand up and take notice.

Where does a trip to the Etihad rank in difficulty for opposing teams?

Bearing in mind Brentford were the last team in the Premier League to win at the Etihad in 2022, I think it’s pretty obvious that it’s a difficult place to go to! Most away fans go with hope rather than expectation and with wondering how low they can keep the score down, such is the ominous feel a trip to the Etihad brings!

Finally, how do you think the match will play out?

Hopefully it’s no Toney no problem! He scored the two goals in that win in 2022 but I’m hoping that we can perform to another high level again and cause City problems.

I’d love us to come out at you like we did two years ago, which I think startled City as most teams will sit back and wait to counter.

It would be great to use our pace to that advantage but our defence will have to be at their very best to stop any attacks! It’s certainly not going to be easy and my head does say a City win, but then again my head said the same in 2022.