Andy's crowd control (From Your Local Guardian)

Andy's crowd control

5:30pm Thursday 3rd September 2009

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After Saturday’s draw with Oldham Athletic, it is safe to say that Andy Scott was not a happy man. And it was us he was angry with.

“There were a few grumbles and moans from fans when we made mistakes,” he said.

“Our fans are brilliant but they need to realise how far we have come in the past 18 months.”

Scotty was right to criticise the groans he heard from the stands. Although the issue should not have be blown out of all proportion – there was no booing at the final whistle – an air of frustration was certainly palpable around Griffin Park.

While we have made a good start to life in League One, if there are any supporters out there who think we are going to steamroll teams, as we did in the basement division last term, then they should think again.

The likes of Oldham Athletic, Hartlepool and Stockport may sound dreary, northern and rubbish but these are the kind of seasoned League One teams who will be tough to break down.

When you throw the better teams in the league, such as Leeds United and Saturday’s opponents Charlton Athletic, into the mix, it should leave us under no illusions as to how difficult this season will be.

Unlike last year, when we had virtual home byes against some appalling sides, we won’t be getting too many gimmes this time around.

Brentford can’t have attracted many moaning glory supporters over the course of one short close season – the crowd for the Oldham game was only 5,000.

I’m sure the grumbling was just a case of Bees fans getting a little carried away and wanting the team to run before they can walk.

The side is full of new players and, if you’ll allow me an early-season cliché, they need time to gel.

One new boy who seemed to be bearing the brunt of many fans’ frustrations on Saturday was Carl Cort. It looks like his confidence is low and that is perfectly understandable.

Spending a good portion of your career being mistaken for Shola Ameobi, as the late Bobby Robson often did at Newcastle United, is enough to leave anyone feeling low.

His subsequent tumble down the leagues and dreadful injury problems can’t have helped matters either.

I hope supporters give him a chance. Cort has shown enough to suggest he could become an asset – he has a decent touch and holds the ball up well.

Hopefully, when his confidence and fitness return, he will throw a few goals into the bargain, too.