Town boss Mick McCarthy has made two changes from the team which beat Barnsley 4-2 in last week’s opening match for this afternoon’s second Championship game of the season against Brentford at Griffin Park.

Hat-trick hero Grant Ward is handed his first league start for the Blues, as is loanee Conor Grant, the duo having come on as half-time subs last week.

The pair start in the wide roles with Freddie Sears moving up front alongside Daryl Murphy.

The injured David McGoldrick drops out of the squad, while Teddy Bishop moves to the bench. New re-signing Luke Varney isn't included in the 18.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Ward, Grant, Sears, Murphy. Subs: Gerken, T Smith, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Douglas, Dozzell, Bishop.

Brentford: Bentley, Colin, Elder, Dean, Egan, Yennaris, Woods, Clarke, Macleod, Hogan, Sawyers. Subs: Bonham, Bjelland, Saunders, Kershbaumer, Hofmann, McEachran, Ledesma. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire).

Photo: TWTD

BrettenhamBlue added 14:10 - Aug 13 A strong team which should beat Brentford who are really on the ropes at the moment
4

shiminywho added 14:14 - Aug 13 No strikers on the bench? Perhaps no cover available with BP/DM injured, rather than a negative tactic. Let's hope for an injury free afternoon and three points - COYB.
3

floridaboy added 14:15 - Aug 13 Varney not fit enough?
0

cornishblu added 14:17 - Aug 13 Sears back to his right position....just the stubbornness of the RB to sort out and we may have a balanced team COYB
3

shiminywho added 14:18 - Aug 13 Probably not, floridaboy - which adds to the confusion of resigning him which I understood to be initially as cover for today.
1

shiminywho added 14:20 - Aug 13 I'd give Emmanuel a run of games at right back - he's looked decent in the past and offers more options than Chambo who should be parthering Webster.
4

bluehook added 14:24 - Aug 13 Varney injured already?
2

prebbs007 added 14:24 - Aug 13 Still the worst 2 fullbacks in the division. And still no forwards with any goalscoring form. Should be an easy win. Doubt it will be. Squad desperately short of quality and numbers. Bang average players all over the pitch. Let's hope we get lucky like we did against Barnsley. COYB
-3

potter84 added 14:26 - Aug 13 Anyone else noticed that Marc Wilson is available he can play right back and left back?!
0

Keaneish added 14:32 - Aug 13 Zero surprises here. If you look at it, what other options does MM have at the moment? That bench looks ultra lightweight. Bishop and Dozzell can change a game but still learning. Whether they can impact from the bench remains to be seen. Pretty sure we'll switch up to a 4-3-3 at some point again. Hoping Freddie can lead the way and get off the mark but I fancy a draw today.

0

StuartBrett8 added 14:33 - Aug 13 Decent squad... 3 points please :)
0

JimmyP45 added 14:34 - Aug 13 Definitely the strongest team available. After the first half against Barnsley, I feel that Dozzell and Bishop could make more of an impact off the bench rather than starting. All the best blues!
0

oldegold added 14:37 - Aug 13 If we play with an attacking instinct and don't rely on hoofing then maybe we stand a chance. Chambers out of position and Knudsen still in when we have two young full backs chomping at the bit who could give us attacking options..but will our manager listen..heavens no. Sear in best position...maybe his form can turn.
4

happybeingblue added 14:38 - Aug 13 6 of the players in the team who started v stevenage and we were woeful, hoping that bru has some impact today
0

RobTheMonk added 14:42 - Aug 13 This is the type of team that Bru can shine in if he pulls his finger out. Ward, Grant and Sears should in theory provide some decent movement and we all know Bru when on form can pick passes...
1

braveblue added 14:42 - Aug 13 No point having good young wide players when the full backs hoof the ball over their heads. McCarthey just refuses to see the faults in some players. Chambers was awful last week and straight on the team sheet.
3

southnorfolkblue added 14:46 - Aug 13 Bru ahead of Bishop....I have to say that I am really surprised at that.
0

Dissboyitfc added 14:49 - Aug 13 Shiminywho..you cant have 2 right footed CB's which is what you would get with chambers and webster we need balance at the back. Agree Emanuel should get a run.
2

MicksZzzTactics added 14:51 - Aug 13 Nice!!! So with those 2 exact changes to the starting XI ehhhh I simply must take a win for "GRANTed"! :-) lol .... obviously combined with my previously mentioned fact that Brentford are currently messed up especially thanks to missing both of their joint topscorers from last season: Lasse Vibe (Olympic Games) and Allan Judge (still recovering from his horror-encounter with our Mr. Hyam), and haven't neither won more than once nor scored more than once in ANY game since the end of the 2015/206 season!

0

bluebare added 15:02 - Aug 13 why so many defenders on the bench? why is douglas anywhere near the team? I think with the players we have 3 5 2 would suit us better.
1

Knightsy added 15:56 - Aug 13 What was it MM said when signing Varney. He will be fit and ready....I really don't believe anything this bloke says.
1

babyblueboy added 16:16 - Aug 13 Just gone 1 down this looks like being another season of woe we don't appear to have a clue where the goal is too many average players no creativity no flair no hope !!! Hate being this negative so early in the season but really can not see how we can finish much above mid table "if we are lucky"
2

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