January sees us into the new year with plenty of footballing action being played out. With huge overhauls taking place across the league, there’s been European and domestic cup action adding to the relentless schedule. In the Premier League, the top sides have struggled to remain consistent, which sees us looking to the mid-table sides with this months POTM selection.

Igor Thiago has truly settled in his 2nd season at Brentford, and the first where he has been able to lead the line consistently after the departures last summer from the club. With many worried that Brentford would struggle this season given the huge overhaul, the likes of Thiago have stepped up a level. This month, he has produced 5 goals in 5 league games which saw his side to 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, keeping them securely in mid-table position in this transitional year.

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Match By Match

January 1st: Brentford 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur – On New Years Day, Brentford and Tottenham looked like they were shaking off their celebrations from the previous night, as they played out a 0-0 draw which continued Brentford’s unbeaten run going, but couldn’t secure the 3 points despite their dominance for large periods of the game. Despite a late push, and Vicario having a solid game for Spurs, Thiago couldn’t get off the mark for the year after having a frustrating evening.

January 4th: Everton 2-4 Brentford – Although he failed to get on the scoresheet in the goalless draw on New Years day, Thiago got 60% of his goals for the month in the chaotic win over Everton, as he bagged a hattrick with goals in the 11th, 51st and 88th minute to secure a solid 3 points and a huge performance for Thiago and Brentford. With 100% shot accuracy, 100% cross accuracy and of course his 3 important goals, this performance was as close to perfect as could be asked, earning a 9.6/10 FotMob rating for his efforts.

January 7th: Brentford 3-0 Sunderland – After bagging 3 the previous game, Thiago only managed 2 in what was Brentford’s most dominant display of the month, claiming another win to add to their strong start in 2026. Thiago managed an individual xG of 1.48 and was influential in helping his side to make such a comfortable victory.

January 17th: Chelsea 2-0 Brentford – Bringing their unbeaten run for the month to an end, they were outdone by a solid Chelsea side settling in under their new manager, and although Brentford managed an xG of 1.52, Thiago couldn’t help his team get on the board with a goal as his hot streak ground to a halt.

January 25th: Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest – Rounding off the month with their most disappointing performance in the month, Brentford suffered their second defeat in the month, with the team and Thiago failing to get on the scoresheet. With his 5 in 5, he still keeps the pole position for POTM despite the poor end to January.