Keith Andrews' first Premier League match as Brentford head coach proved a harsh classroom. A bruising first half left the Bees 3–0 down to Nottingham Forest, with the damage done by an early set-piece scramble, a debutant's header and a stoppage-time counter. Igor Thiago's composed penalty narrowed the margin late on, but the bigger lesson was about basics and decision-making under pressure.

Context matters. This was a new-look Brentford: Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, teenager Antoni Milambo and right-back Michael Kayode making debuts, and Jordan Henderson returning to Premier League action from the bench. The summer has taken key figures elsewhere—Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken among the departures—and Yoane Wissa was absent here. A rebuild is underway, and on this evidence it will require patience as well as coaching.

An avoidable corner and a set-piece sting

The first cut was self-inflicted. Nathan Collins shepherded a routine ball behind with Kelleher set to claim, inviting early pressure Forest hardly needed. From the corner that followed, a tangle of blue shirts failed to clear and Chris Wood stabbed in from close range.

Conceding from a messy restart is galling for any side—doubly so with a head coach who has built a reputation on set-piece detail. The goal tilted the pitch, handing Forest momentum and the noise of a roused City Ground.

Transitions bite and a debutant punishes the gap

Forest's second arrived as the game stretched. Morgan Gibbs-White found the seam three minutes before the break, shaping a clever chip into space behind the line. Dan Ndoye, playing his first league match for Forest, met it with a powerful header that left Kelleher little chance.

Brentford struggled to compress the central channel quickly enough after turnovers, and the distances between midfield and defence were punished. The task at half-time became damage limitation and a reset of distances and decisions.

A stray pass before the break proves decisive

At 2–0, reaching the interval intact would have offered a platform. Instead, a loose pass out of defence from Sepp van den Berg in stoppage time was seized upon by Elliot Anderson, whose immediate through-ball released Wood. The striker rounded Kelleher and finished to make it three.

It was the kind of transition Forest thrived on all afternoon: a turnover in a dangerous area followed by a direct, accurate pass. For Brentford, the price of a single technical error was steep.

Resettling after half-time and a lifeline from twelve yards

The second half brought a measure of control. Brentford's shape was more compact, and there were longer spells of possession without gifting transitions. When Forest's block did not break, the visitors at least stemmed the flow of counters.

A route back arrived on 78 minutes when Ibrahim Sangare handled in the box. Thiago stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his first league goal for the club since arriving from Club Brugge. Small comfort, but a positive note for a forward asked to shoulder responsibility this season.

What Andrews learned in 90 minutes

Andrews called it 'naivety' and the word fits. The non-negotiables—clear communication at restarts, safe choices in high-risk zones, and quicker reactions to second balls—must tighten immediately. Some of the issues were structural; others were simply individual decisions under pressure.

There were, however, blocks to build on: Kelleher's distribution under pressure, Milambo's willingness to receive between lines, and Kayode's energy on the right. Henderson's cameo added voice and tempo in midfield. With Wissa unavailable and big names gone, settling partnerships will be as important as any tactical wrinkle.

Personnel picture: new faces, absences, and options

This XI reflected the summer's churn. Kelleher, Milambo and Kayode all started; Henderson offered experience from the bench. The situation around Yoane Wissa remains unresolved, and his direct threat in transition was missed on a day when outlets were scarce.

Andrews inherits a proud record—Brentford have not spent time in the relegation zone these past four seasons—and the task now is to restore that equilibrium with a leaner group. The plan is clear; the execution needs faster rhythm.

Turning points through a Bees lens

5' The needless corner and scrambled clearance that put Forest ahead. 42' The gap opened and Ndoye punished it with a textbook header. 45+ A stray pass was picked off and Wood killed the contest.

78' Thiago restores a little pride from the spot after Sangare handles. Not enough to change the narrative, but a starting marker for the new No 9.

Next steps: Villa at home, cup tie to build rhythm

Aston Villa visit the Gtech on Saturday, 23 August, a chance to reset in front of home support with a week of work on the training ground. Then comes Bournemouth away in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 26 August—an opportunity for minutes, cohesion and, ideally, a clean sheet as habits are rebuilt.