A tale of two stadiums: How Sheffield Wednesday crumbled in the capital with Brentford bouncing

For the Bees, their stadium story is one of nostalgic glory. The large sign in the corner of Griffin Park before the match indicated that there were only six matches left at the club’s home of 116 years.

And while the departure from such a charming ground will no doubt deliver more than a pang of sadness to thousands of loyal fans, the move to a money-spinning new stadium just over a mile up the road represents the next stage for a stunningly well-run club seemingly destined for the Premier League – if not next season then soon.

It’s a move that has been driven by exceptional off-the-field forethought and strategy, with Brentford boasting perhaps the most impressive transfer record in Europe.

In the away dugout, Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium narrative has been well documented. It’s an altogether different tale.

Players and management have time and again denied that the boardroom battle is having an influence on a freefalling season, but the two stories paint a contrasting picture. Brentford went fourth with their 5-0 win. Wednesday are facing a possible points deduction nine points from the relegation zone and are sinking fast.

The performance itself smacked of a squad that is taking up the offer of an easy way out. Garry Monk said so himself, admitting he had never been so embarrassed in 25 years in football and going on to accuse his players of hiding and shirking the responsibilities of a professional footballer.

The stats from the match make for confusing reading. Wednesday had more possession of the ball, played more passes, they completed more passes in the final third, provided more take-ons and made more tackles.

But the fact is that like Derby before them, Brentford ran the show from start to finish. Wednesday did not have the stomach for the fight. The Owls have taken six points from their last 30 available. Only Hull City (29) have conceded more goals than Wednesday’s 24 in 2020.

These are worrying times for Garry Monk, but more pertinently, for Sheffield Wednesday as a whole.