Heading into Saturday night, Brentford knew that victory at Elland Road would put them level on points with Chelsea in sixth. But the Bees had to settle for a point after a drab goalless draw with relegation-battling Leeds.
It was an important point, too. After Everton smashed Chelsea in the earlier kick off, the Toffees temporarily leapfrogged Keith Andrews’ side into seventh – but Brentford moved back above their fellow European hopefuls on goal difference.
That doesn’t paint the whole picture, however. Despite being unbeaten in their last four league games, it’s now three consecutive draws for the west Londoners, with reason for concern with the performances.
The swashbuckling, high-octane brand of football under Andrews that was so effective and engaging – and has put Brentford in the hunt for an unprecedented push for European qualification – has been absent recently.
The Leeds game embodied this, as the Bees looked ineffective in attack, Igor Thiago unable to score a 20th league goal due to a distinct lack of service up top.
So what’s triggered this mini-slump in performances?
The most obvious explanation is their threadbare squad. Brentford enjoyed a remarkable lack of injuries during the first half of the campaign, but the club’s treatment room has been getting busier.
Injuries to Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey have left Brentford without natural left-backs, while the absence of Vitaly Janelt has disrupted the balance in midfield.
Without Janelt, they lack the same control, and Andrews even admitted they’re missing the German’s qualities in the buildup to the game. It’s no coincidence that Brentford’s best run this coincided with his best form.
Mikkel Damsgaard was also absent from Saturday’s squad after picking up a knock in their 2-2 draw with Wolves, as was Kristoffer Ajer.
Key players are being asked to shoulder heavier workloads, and the high-energy, front-foot style that Andrews’ football demands has, at least temporarily, faded.
The team sheet underlined the lack of squad depth. Ethan Pinnock made his first start since December, while five uncapped youngsters were named among the substitutes.
With the race for Europe finely poised – just four points separating Brentford in seventh from Bournemouth in 12th – the timing of these injuries could hardly be worse.
The international break, then, may come as a blessing. It offers Andrews the chance to regroup, recover key players and restore the energy levels required for a final push towards a historic European place.