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Brentford Set for the Alex

Last updated : 17 November 2002 By Site Staff

Sodje Set To Lose His Place
The last time we played the 'Bees' it was at the most famous Stadium in Britain... it was at Wembley. May 1997, Division Two play-off final and when Sahun Smith popped up at the far post and knocked the ball into the back of the net the Alex were on their way to Division One. But 5 years later we find ourselfs playing Brentfordin another crunch tie. While we've been living the high life in Division One Brentford have had a brief spell in Division Three and being humiliated by oatcake munchers Stoke who beat them in last years play-off final. Shaun Smith won't be playing tommorow though after finding himself being released in the summer, the person who will take his place at left back will be new signing Paul Tierney. Tierney, 20, signed for a month's loan from Manchester United on Thursday at 3pm and straight away Dario told the fans that the Man Utd left back will go straight into the starting 11 on Saturday. After the dissapointment of the defeats against Luton and Wigan we seem to have hit a rocky patch and with Brentford sitting 1 place and 1 point above us it's the perfect chance to get back onto the smooth road to promotion.

Brenford were tipped to struggle as their financial situation worsened and players like Lloyd Owusu started leaving along with manager Steve Coppell but they've made a steady start to their campaign and sit happiley in 6th place. Having not lost in 5 and beating high flying Blackpool 5-0 last weekend they'll be highly confident of

Tierney - New Signing
getting something at Gresty Road. Not only that but their players will have been lifted by the fact they have been granted permission to build a brand new state of the art all seater stadium.
Crewe are sitting in 7th place and find ourselfs 9 points behind league leaders Cardiff after coming so close to going top of the table. It is vital we win this game to stay in the hunting pack and we need something special from the lads if we are to win at home again this season.
So the team news, Tierney as we said above will go straight in to the left back slot replacing David Wright but David Wright will replace Sodje at right back leaving Sodje to keep that bench warm. Walton will then replace Walker in the heart of the defence after Walkers red card against Wigan. Other than that it should be the usual line up... Ince, Wright, Tierney, Walton, Foster, Brammer, Lunt, Rix, Jack, Hulse.