It was a simple invitation for a cup of tea in Portugal that changed everything for Nathan Collins. During Brentford's pre-season tour, interim manager Keith Andrews called the defender in for a chat, with one significant topic on his mind: the club captaincy.
Collins was Andrews's chosen man, a decision that left the 24-year-old stunned. "It was unbelievable," Collins told Daily Mail Sport in an exclusive interview at the Gtech Community Stadium. "I rang my parents straight away. As a kid you dream of playing in the Premier League, never mind captaining."
A Club in Transition
Collins's appointment came during a period of seismic change for the Bees. Long-serving manager Thomas Frank had departed for Tottenham, taking three staff members with him. The exodus continued on the pitch, with skipper Christian Norgaard, goalkeeper Mark Flekken, and top scorer Bryan Mbeumo all leaving. Yoane Wissa followed on deadline day after going on strike.
This represented a colossal loss of talent and leadership. Mbeumo and Wissa had contributed 39 Premier League goals the previous season, compounding the earlier sale of prolific striker Ivan Toney. With rookie boss Andrews at the helm, many pundits wrote Brentford off, tipping them for relegation and Andrews to be the first managerial sacking.
Silencing the Doubters
Instead, Collins and his teammates have mounted a defiant response. The Bees currently sit 15th, just six points off fifth place, and have secured notable victories over Liverpool, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Manchester United. They face a tough Carabao Cup quarter-final at Manchester City tonight.
"The outside criticism gives you that bit of motivation to prove people wrong," said Collins, a fan favourite since his club-record move from Wolves in 2023. "People have opinions, that's natural, but you get on with it."
He credits the club's unique, family-oriented culture for their resilience. "As soon as I came here, I felt that family vibe," Collins explained. "The squad is full of good people. I could sit with anybody and have a conversation for an hour. That is such a strong thing to have."
Building a New Core
Andrews has fostered this spirit with innovative initiatives. The squad has hosted visits from figures like Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and Irish rugby legend Johnny Sexton. Each month, an international player chooses the training ground menu, recently celebrating a Ukrainian day for midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk.
On the pitch, Andrews has made Brentford more aggressive and dynamic, while maintaining their set-piece threat. A new core is emerging around captain Collins, focal-point striker Igor Thiago, and summer signings like Dango Ouattara and experienced England midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Collins, the only outfield player to play every Premier League minute last season, relishes his leadership role. His maturity was evident as he spearheaded the club's 'Christmas with the Bees' event, connecting with young supporters. "I love doing this," he said. "You know how much it means to the kids."
Looking ahead, the defender is cautious about setting specific targets but believes Brentford can cement themselves as a top-half Premier League staple. "You always want to do better than last season," Collins concluded. "We have lots to improve on, but so far it's not been too bad."
