Hello and welcome to Portman Road for live updates from Brentford's trip to Ipswich Town.
The Bees have won their last two games, beating Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and and bottom side Rotherham United at Griffin Park.
They have been an exciting side to watch in February and they scored 13 goals in February, however they have been vulnerable defensively, conceding 13 goals.
Were that to continue then this afternoon's contest promises to be a classic encounter, especially with neither side having any realistic aspirations of a play-off finish or a danger of being relegated.
Ipswich go into the game on a five game unbeaten run and drew 1-1 in the Old Farm derby with Norwich last Sunday.
GetWestLondon will be with you every step of the way, bringing you updates from the moment the teams are announced to the post-match press conference.
So, stick with us as we bring you updates, analysis and reaction from all the key players.
Key Events
Thank you
That’s it from us today. We’ll be back on Tuesday with live updates from Nottingham Forest. Have a safe journey home.
Smith on going forward
They play a back three, back five. There were bodies in there. The way we’d have scored in the second half was like the Sergi Canos chance. I think that was going to be our best opportunity to score.
Smith on the defensive display
I mean the lad executed it well. There are bits you feel you can do better. The lad’s got past Sergi easily and we didn’t deal with the cross. The way it arrived to him was fortuitous but the lad finished it well. Defensively, it was better from us as we’ve leaked a few goals of late.
Dean Smith verdict
It was a game we could have won. We started really well but then they had more possession than we did.
They scored a goal. I’m not sure if the cross was meant for him but it was a good finish.
We had great movement for our goal. Nico has been popping up in the penalty box after a good ball from Romaine Sawyers.
I thought we were the better team in the second half, without working their goalkeeper. We had the one hacked off the line from Sergi Canos.
We had a lot of ball and got in good areas but neither goalkeepers were worked. The game needed some quality but the pitch is slow and bobbly.
FULL TIME: Ipswich 1-1 Brentford
That’s it. A point apiece. A largely forgettable game at Portman Road today. We’ll be back with some Dean Smith reaction when we get it plus a match report will be wending it’s way to you shortly.
Cole Skuse gets free of the Brentford defence but his tame effort is gathered by Dan Bentley. The visitors counter and win a throw in midway inside the Ipswich half.
Brentford corner
It’s the best of the day. Sawyers goes over to take it quickly to Jota. He wins the ball back and whips in a cross that just eludes Egan. The Brentford forward has had a fine game today
Ipswich substitution
Kieffer Moore comes on for Tom Lawrence as we enter the final 10 minutes. Ryan Woods has cleared the ball but it comes back in with Bentley having to gather.
Game is starting to become more stretched
Both sides are going for it but neither look too likely to score at the moment. Hold onto your hats though, this could get a bit crazy in the final few minutes.
Ipswich corner
David McGoldrick’s shot is blocked by John Egan. The corner is whipped in and Cole Skuse’s header goes out of play and Brentford survive
Substitutions
Lasse Vibe is replaced by Justin Shaibu.
Goalscorer Emyr Huws is replaced by Kevin Bru. Both sides are going for synchronised substitutions today.
Brentford substitution
Sergi Canos’ afternoon is over with Florian Jozefzoon coming on in his place. Jordan Spence leaves one in on Rico Henry but he got the ball.
Off the line!
Sergi Canos, who is about to be substituted, nearly put Brentford in front as his one two resulted in a shooting position. His effort was saved by Bialkowski with Myles Kenlock following up to clear off the line. So close!
Not the greatest game
This is really not a classic. It’s an open game but chances are at a premium. Ipswich have resorted to a long through and Brentford deal with it before breaking down the other end. Lasse Vibe, offside, fires wide.
Bjelland down
Andreas Bjelland has been receiving treatment and he hobbles off. Yoann Barbet coming on to replace the stricken skipper. John Egan will captain Brentford now.
Brentford corner
Sergi Canos, who has looked good this half, drives forward andwins a corner. It’s short from Jota to Ryan Woods. They pass it between each other before the latter’s ball into the box is cleared. Another opportunity wasted.
Ipswich free kick
Ipswich get a free kick on the edge of the box and it’s a good chance for them to retake the leard. They have eight players in the box. It’s poor though and Sergi Canos races out to block it and clear the danger. Rico Henry is fouled and Brentford can breathe again.
Ipswich get the second half underway. It’s time to go again. Can Brentford return from Suffolk with all three points?
The other 21 players are now out on the pitch - Nico Yennaris and Romaine Sawyers stroll out, presumably talking about the goal, and we’re nearly ready to go again
Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski is out on his own ahead of the second half. He’s taking some shots and working on his kicking ahead of the second 45 starting. No sign of the other 21 players though.
Romaine Sawyers and Nico Yennaris are good pals off the pitch and they combined on it to put Brentford back on level terms. You can read about their friendship here.
Some half-time thoughts
1. Left sided woes
Brentford’s youngsters Rico Henry and Sergi Canos were not at the level they needed to be. Henry was making uncharacteristic errors, while Canos was limited in ball time but making the wrong decision when on it.
2. Brentford missing Harlee Dean
The Bees’ skipper has been inspirational driving his side forward in recent weeks and Andreas Bjelland, while a good player in his own right, does not inspire the same effect.
3. Forwards nullified
Lasse Vibe had one moment in the first 45 minutes where he had some service and he charged forward before seeing his shot blocked. He scored twice here last year and needs more of the same impact in the second half.
4. Set piece troubles
Brentford have been good from set pieces in recent weeks but Ipswich, being a more physical side than Sheffield Wednesday and with better quality than Rotherham, were able to repel any of the Bees’ set pieces. Something to work on at the interval.
5. End of season affair
It may be the first weekend in March but there was an end of season feel to Brentford’s first half display. Dean Smith will not be happy with the intensity of his side. It took a moment of magic from Romaine Sawyers to set up the equaliser just before the break.
HALF TIME: Ipswich 1-1 Brentford
Nico Yennaris cancels out Emyr Huws’ opener in the final minute of the first 45. It’s not been an exciting encounter though. However, we go into the break all square after a difficult 45 for the Bees.
GOAL! Brentford equalise (Yennaris)
It’s simple. A Romaine Sawyers’ chipped ball through the middle to Nico Yennaris and the midfielder tucks it home. Brentford level just before half time and the fans that have travelled can be heard (but not seen from this press box)
Brentford fans know about Ipswich’s physical nature and Tom Lawrence, only just back from a suspension, has a go at John Egan. The referee, Scott Duncan, has a word with the pair.
