Brentford boss Keith Andrews says Manchester City are in ‘serious groove’

Brentford face Manchester City in a Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night

Keith Andrews' Brentford lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League earlier this season. Pic: Peter Tarry/PA Wire.

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews feels Manchester City are back in a “serious groove” ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium.

City followed up an impressive Champions League win away to Real Madrid by beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, which was a fifth straight victory in all competitions.

A return to consistent form has seen Pep Guardiola’s side close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points.

Andrews is all too aware of the challenge his team will face on Wednesday night.

“I think they have got into a serious groove and rhythm,” Andrews said at a press conference.

“The (Premier League) table would suggest that as well, the way they have gone on a very consistent run and levels of performance have been really, really high.

“Some key individuals have obviously been very prominent in their performances and results, goals scored (by) the usual suspects I suppose.

“So it is obviously a very difficult game, but I think we showed when we played them here a couple of months ago that we were absolutely able to compete against teams of that calibre, and that is what the plan will be tomorrow.” 

Erling Haaland took his season tally to 23 goals for City with a brace at Selhurst Park.

“He is a special player, isn’t he? He is sometimes undefendable,” said Andrews, whose side drew 1-1 with Leeds on Sunday.

“It can’t just be a single defender, it always has to be a collective in terms of service to him.

“How you position yourself as a defender against them, to give yourself the best opportunity to defend those individual moments until you get some help.

“But he is very difficult to keep quiet because he is probably the best centre forward on the planet.”

Brentford will be without midfielders Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara who are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Reiss Nelson is not yet back in contention.

“I am going to take the game as seriously as it should – it is the quarter-final of a cup competition,” said Andrews. “I will pick a team I feel is absolutely right to get through to the semi-final.”