Ben Burgess became a fan favourite at Griffin Park during the 2001/02 campaign, netting 18 goals in 51 appearances while on loan from Blackburn Rovers. In total, Ben led the line for 10 clubs during a 14-year career.

Now a teacher in Lancashire, Ben still keeps a close eye on the Bees and will be providing his thoughts ahead of each game this season.

Keep the receipt

Tottenham’s decision to refund their fans after an abysmal showing at Newcastle in April has sparked an interesting debate.

The Magpies ran out comfortable 6-1 winners that day, but the best comment I heard about the situation was from Gary Neville when, after 15 minutes of the following game, Spurs were 3-0 down at Anfield.

“If they carry on like this then they should just set up a direct debit to their fans every week,” he laughed.

Spurs nearly pulled off a remarkable turnaround at Anfield, only to be denied by a stoppage-time Diogo Jota goal.

I can’t help but feel that the offering of a refund is just an empty PR stunt to get the supporters back onside. As much as everybody needs money nowadays, I’m sure the Spurs supporters would prefer a team working hard and fighting for the club. Such a gesture can only mean something when it is followed up by positive performances and results.

Wolves’ fans were also demanding a refund after their 6-1 drubbing at Brighton - where will it end? Is there a specific scoreline that automatically leads to a reimbursement? Does it depend on the opposition? If Chelsea lose every game by only by one or two goals, will they avoid such demands from supporters?

Wolves’ situation is a particularly strange one as they looked down and out earlier in the season before Julen Lopetegui took the helm and guided them to safety.

The power pendulum at football clubs has swung so far that players are practically untouchable. The number of clubs and players in the Premier League who are hiding behind managers and their ‘poor tactics’ as excuses for failure is incredible. Chelsea are the obvious culprits.

And it isn’t just at the top either as Leeds United are shelling managers left, right and centre to the point where they have rolled back 15 years and snaffled Big Sam.

What has become clear is that new managers are having less and less influence on their teams. There was a time when a new boss would instantly get two or three wins on the bounce, but just ask Sean Dyche and Frank Lampard about that.

Hammered

I noted with interest the recent FA Youth Cup victory for West Ham against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The young Hammers completely dismantled Arsenal 5-1 in front of their own supporters.

When I was a young player, West Ham were always the standout club for youth development. They had an amazing reputation for bringing youngsters through who were outrageously good on the ball. Just think of Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard and the careers they had at the top of the game.

I recall playing for Blackburn Rovers against West Ham in the FA Youth Cup around 1999. Their team consisted of Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe and Leon Britton.

Suffice to say, we were comfortably beaten.