Thiago thriving under Brentford's 'one-striker policy'

A moment on Saturday evening showed just how valuable Igor Thiago has been to Brentford this season. He was forced off injured near the end of our important win over Burnley on Saturday after scoring another two goals to make it 11 in the Premier League this season and did not take part in the post-match lap of appreciation.

A rumour on X suggested he had been seen leaving the Gtech on crutches. Thankfully, Keith Andrews said he had been taken off as a precaution, but it sparked a discussion in my group of how we would cope if he was out injured.

The Bees have for years operated a policy of only having one recognised senior striker in our squad.

While we have other players who can score, like Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara, we have nobody else like Thiago who is experienced at that centre-forward role.

Let's hope it is not a problem we have to solve.

Thiago held his nerve to take and score his penalty on Saturday after missing one at Brighton the previous weekend before restoring the lead with a brilliantly instinctive finish after Burnley had quickly levelled.

With our away form still poor and two away games in north London coming up, it was important for us to beat the Clarets. Home wins over the bigger clubs have been great, but it is just as vital to see off the struggling clubs too.

While we expect little other than a good night out at Arsenal on Wednesday, it would be intriguing if we put one over our old boss Thomas Frank at Tottenham this Saturday.

I do not wish him any ill at all - he is a Brentford legend. But if we were to add to his woes by winning this weekend, could that be the result that puts him out of a job?

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast