Brentford's disciplinary issues are being scrutinised after they received the joint most red cards in the Premier League this season. The latest dismissals for Igor Thiago and Yehor Yarmoliuk in the 2-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday 8 November have sparked a debate over whether the problem is ill-discipline or simple naivety. The result leaves Brentford eighth in the Premier League with 14 points from 10 games, having scored 16 goals and conceded 11.

Manager Keith Andrews said his team need to be smarter in their approach. He pointed out that both recent red cards, for Vitaly Janelt and Yarmoliuk against Liverpool and now Thiago at the Amex, came in response to direct provocation from opponents. Andrews told reporters Brentford must be cuter and also improve their defending from set-pieces, an area where they have conceded several goals this campaign.

A costly pattern

The sending-offs are compounding a difficult period. The loss at Brighton, where goals from Diego Gomez and a Pascal Groß penalty sealed the result, was Brentford's third defeat in five league games. They sit eighth in the Premier League standings with 14 points from 10 matches, but their recent form reads one win, one draw and three losses. This poor run, which includes defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool, has left them 13 points adrift of the top. The club has never won at the Amex Stadium in the Premier League, extending that run to six winless visits.

Supporters discussing the incidents online have echoed the manager's view, arguing the team is not protected by officials. They cite frequent fouls on forward Kevin Schade that go unpunished and consistent shirt-pulling on Thiago during goal-kicks. Schade is the team's top scorer this season with three goals. There is a belief that decisions against Brentford receive less scrutiny than those for bigger clubs, with some fans pointing to a perceived lack of VAR intervention in their favour compared to other sides.

Looking ahead

With key midfielder Vitaly Janelt also frequently booked for speaking to referees while captain, the need for cooler heads is clear. The team's overall yellow card count is only mid-table, suggesting isolated explosive moments rather than a pattern of constant fouling. Andrews emphasised that the red cards have all been for different types of incidents, from tactical fouls to reactions, rather than a single, repeatable offence.

Everton are currently sixth, making it a significant test. Top scorer Kevin Schade, with three goals this season, will be a key figure as they look to bounce back from a run where they have conceded twice in consecutive away league trips. The team will hope to have a full squad available, with no new major injuries reported following the Brighton match.

More detail at bbc.com