Westside Radio 89.6FM in association with Brentford FC Community Sport Trust will have extensive pre-game coverage of Carlisle v Brentford from 2pm and match updates throughout the afternoon. If you want to get involved with the show then call the studio 020 8571 1188, text your message to 60300 preceded with the word Westside followed by your message or email presenter@westsideradio.co.uk, Twitter @SportsShow896fm. Let us know what you thought of the Bees in their first game as we are on air until 6pm. You can also listen online at www.westsideradio.co.uk
Luis Melville: Not long now before the season kicks off. How have the final preparations gone this week?
Andy Scott: They've gone well and everyone has trained really hard and we've been able to get in some rest as well after the Palace game. Everything is now geared up to going to Carlisle for the opening game of the season.
Luis Melville: I noticed that there was a departure from the normal team 'photo call' with a visit to Osterley House. Whose idea was that?
Andy Scott: It was something Peter Gilham spoke to Osterley House about and it was something that was a little bit different. Every picture you see in the match programme is of the lads in normal football kit. We thought it would be a good idea to change it. We've still got the traditional photographs but it will be interesting to see how the pictures of the lads in casual gear turn out!
Luis Melville: Everyone had a good time?
Andy Scott: Yes it was an hour and a half and the lads behaved themselves and took it for what it was. It's part of their preparation for the new season.
Luis Melville: I suppose that when that last pre-season game is over it's difficult to try and curb their enthusiasm in training as they are all desperate to start the season proper?
Andy Scott: We're just trying to keep them ticking over now until 3pm Saturday but it's important that they focus on what we have been working on this week for the start of the season.
Luis Melville: The fans will be sweating on the fitness of Charlie MacDonald and Carl Cort. What's the latest update you can give us on those two?
Andy Scott: Charlie is coming up with the squad. He has got a good chance of being ready and available. Carl has had a pain killing injection in his Achilles so will probably be out for at least a week or so.
Luis Melville: Will you leave it right up to the last moment with Charlie?
Andy Scott: We've got 2 days with a training session at Lilleshall to fit in as well so we will have plenty of opportunity to assess him. We didn't want to rush him back too early so hopefully our caution will pay dividends.
Luis Melville: Apart from those two are the rest of the squad fit to go?
Andy Scott: The only other one concern is Kirk Hudson who has a groin problem so he won't be travelling either but everyone else is fine and raring to go.
Luis Melville: (Just prior to the announcement of Gary Alexander and
Pim Balkestein signing) We spoke last week about 2 possible signings and you were 'hopeful'. Has that moved on since then?
Andy Scott: Yes. We're very optimistic on a couple and may be even one more. We may have some new faces available for Saturday.
Luis Melville: If you get them signed by 5pm Friday will you include them?
Andy Scott: Yes they will be included.
Luis Melville: I've been reading through some of the previews of the season and they seem to be suggesting that Brentford can make a push for the promotion play offs. Are you as optimistic as that about your season?
Andy Scott: We're confident that we can perform well. We've brought better players into the club. It's whether they can gel in the league and out perform what we did last season. Our aim has to be to get as close as possible to the play offs and may be even get into them. We will be doing out utmost to do that and I think people are tipping us to achieve that because we are a difficult side to play against. We are enthusiastic, energetic, organised with some good talent. If everything goes to plan we want to improve on last season. I keep re-iterating that there is a big gap to make up on the play offs. We need a big effort to get in there and if we can overachieve again like we've done for the last 2 years then there is a chance we could nick in there.
Luis Melville: One of the early targets you set the team last season was to get to 52 points. Is that still your first aim but to do it a lot quicker?
Andy Scott: We want to win as many games as we can and pick up maximum points where we can. Everyone knows that 52 points keeps you up but that's not our strategy this year. Our strategy is to win more games by turning those numerous draws we had into wins. If we can do that with half of those draws we had then we give ourselves a real fighting chance to pick up those 18 points that we were behind 6th spot. We need to go into games with the aim to win and not be happy to settle for a draw. I think we have got the players to do that with. They have the right mentality and the quality is there as well. Hopefully we will add in a few more goals as well.
Luis Melville: Groundhog Day for you again on the opening day of the season with Carlisle away again. Gregg Abbot (Carlisle Manager) has shipped out 11 players. How difficult has that made it for you in trying to assess how their team will play and what to expect from them?
Andy Scott: They've definitely moved a few out and in. However, they've still got the nucleus of their side from last season so we will have a good idea of what they are about. Obviously Greg has put his stamp on the team and he's realised what he has got to do. We did the double over them last season and they will be looking to get their back on us no doubt.
Luis Melville: They've had a pretty decent pre-season themselves losing only once. Have you had them watched in those games?
Andy Scott: Yes we have had them watched. I think it's difficult to assess teams in pre-season including us. You tend to put the emphasis at times on people getting through 90 minutes to get their match fitness so you have to sacrifice certain things in those games. The first day of the season is a totally different scenario where there's something on the game and the crowd are totally different as well and hyped up.
Luis Melville: We know it's a long trip up there to Carlisle and inevitably we always talk about what the players do to while away the time but how do you pass all that time?
Andy Scott: It's a good opportunity to talk about football (big smile from Andy) and watch a bit of television. I can get on the computer to do some work as well. Whatever I need to do I can try and it get done on the way up there as I've got plenty of time to do it but no matter how much time you seem to have whether it's here or on a coach you never seem to have enough time to get those things done. So I'll be making the most of it and try and get in a bit of relaxation as well. That's important so you can be as fresh as you can.
Luis Melville: If any Bees fans are 50/50 about making the trip, what would you say to them?
Andy Scott: I'd like to hope that they could come and support us. We finished strongly at the end of last season and it's a new season and there is plenty of reason to be optimistic. We need as many people backing us as possible. We won there last year and we had an excellent following. We'd like the same following if not more to get us off on the winning trail.
Luis Melville: Do you get as excited as the players do about the start of the season as they all seem to be raring to go?
Andy Scott: It is exciting but the last couple of weeks leading up to the first game is absolutely manic for me. It's ridiculous. No matter how early you start your pre-season planning those last couple of weeks seem to always be extra busy. We are excited about it and I am excited about it. There's nothing like the adrenalin rush when you come out of the tunnel for the first game of the season. That's why we are in the game to play in front of big crowds in the big games and win them. That's why you train so hard in pre-season so that come the opener you are in tip-top condition to be able to perform at the top of your ability.
Luis Melville: I am sure I can say on behalf of everyone connected with the Club we wish you and the squad good luck for the season.
Andy Scott: Cheers.
