‘Bye bye’ ‘Probably gone’ – Brentford fans react to absence of star man from match day squad

Brentford have announced their starting XI for this afternoon’s trip to Ipswich, with the main talking point being Jota’s absence from the Bees squad.

The Spanish playmaker has appeared in all three of the Bees’ opening fixtures despite interest from West Ham, and to see him missing from Dean Smith’s travelling party will strike fear into the hearts of Brentford fans.

Jota joined the Griffin Park side in 2014, but rejoined former side Eibar on an 18 month loan spell due to personal reasons.

Returning to the club in January, Jota established himself as one of the finest players in the division, scoring 12 goals in the second half of the season.

Only top scorer Chris Wood was involved in more goals in the second half of the campaign, and Jota’s stock significantly rose following his series of wonderful performances.

However, with just a year remaining on his current deal and with no sign of the player signing a new contract, Brentford may have no choice but to cash in on the player this summer, and his absence today is a strong indicator that the player could be on his way out of the club.

Bees fans will be worried, and have had their say on Twitter following the announcement of Smith’s squad…

Rather smith went than jota

— Tony Williams (@TonyTw48) August 19, 2017

Where is jota and rico?

— Carl Humphries (@CHBFC10) August 19, 2017

Like this line up. Shame @KingJota not there. If he is off remember la hierba no es siempre más verde.

— Andy T (@52_notout) August 19, 2017

WHERE IS JOTA! ????

— Ruben Hutchinson (@rubenh1239) August 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/cajt111/status/898892735456792576

Where's jota ????????????????????????????

— noahhawkes (@ANoahhawkes) August 19, 2017

Hoping that @KingJota has an injury and isn't being rested because he is off elsewhere

— Brian Mason (@BrianMason1975) August 19, 2017

No Jota ????????????

— Graham Bone (@grhbo) August 19, 2017