Brentford manager Mark Warburton offered up no excuses for his side’s showing in their 3-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
The Bees were second best to The Addicks, who had failed to register a win since early November, from the off and fell behind midway through the first-half through Johann Gudmundsson’s smart finish.
The hosts doubled their advantage when Igor Vetekele slotted home and Frederic Bulot wrapped up the points in the dying seconds.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Mark Warburton refused to blame recent press speculation for yesterday’s performance and said his side simply weren’t good enough.
“There are no excuses at all,” said Mark.
“We were slow to the ball today, we didn’t look after the ball, we made poor decisions and we were second best all over the park especially in the first-half.
“The players are a really honest group and they will be the first to admit that today wasn’t good enough.
“There is no connection between the media speculation and today’s performance.
“The simple fact is that we had a bad day at the office today.
“We stayed overnight, the mood was good and we had good analysis last night.
“They are a hungry group and we can’t come out and give positives after that and they wouldn’t want us to either.
“They are an honest group and that today wasn’t Brentford.
“There are no excuses for today.
“We weren’t good enough today, paid the price and now we have to improve on that.
“We came out and we knew that Charlton would be fighting and scraping.
“They haven’t had a win here since early November and we knew they would be like a wounded animal.
“We said as a group before the match that if we didn’t more than match their desire for the three points we would get hurt and that was proved to be the case.
“From the very first two minutes of the game we were sloppy in our touch, sloppy in our movement, didn’t get high, didn’t track runners and everything about our performance was very unlike Brentford.
“The group of players and staff won’t accept that today and we had a few words in the room.
“They have earned Sunday and Monday off because of their performance over recent weeks but Tuesday we are in and we are working hard looking forward to next week and hopefully giving our fans a better performance for their money.”
The build-up to this week’s game has been dominated in the media by speculation regarding the future of Mark and his coaching staff.
Mark said it was not for him to comment on what he called ‘rumour and counter rumour’ and that his job is just to prepare his side the best he can for games of football.
The Brentford manager did admit that some claims regarding a difference of opinion over transfer policy were wide of the mark.
“It is not about differences,” said Mark.
“I am sure that Matthew Benham will speak this week.
“You can’t forget that Matthew is the owner of the club and I have so much respect for Matthew and the money he has invested in the club.
“We wouldn’t be where we are now without Matthew plain and simple and everyone knows that.
“It is not about differences and I think it is important that there is some clarity given which I am sure there will be this week.
“Our only focus is on the team and I said this last week that they are too good a group of players not to have absolute focus and concentration and that is what they will get right to the end of the season.
“There is so much paper talk.
“There are rumours and counter rumours but it is my job to look after the players in the dressing room.
“We had 2,500 supporters here today and it was a fantastic effort again with great noise and backing for the team.
“Today as a group of players and staff we let them down.
“Our focus has got to be on that job there and I am sure that when a statement comes out the questions that remain from last week will be answered by Matthew and the staff.
“Right now we have to apologise to the fans, work hard and put that right.
“I am bemused by this not bringing players in.
“When you look at our squad today we have Alan McCormack back on the bench, James Tarkowski injured, Jake Bidwell suspended, Lewis Macleod is nearly back fit and Alan Judge will be available for selection next week.
“We have got players coming back in so soon I am going to have a squad of 18 and four or five players disappointed not to be in the 18.
“We want to add players who add value and if they become available then fantastic.
“There is nothing about me refusing players and the focus is absolutely on the team.
“We get fantastic backing from Matthew and Frank MacParland and the board and we are only thankful for that.
“If we can get players who can add value on and off the pitch then I am delighted.
“We have got to finish up as high as we can in the league, that is our aim, and promotion is obviously our goal because we wouldn’t be in the Championship otherwise.”
Mark was forced into two defensive alterations for yesterday’s trip to The Valley with James Tarkowski failing to shake off a knock picked up in Tuesday’s late defeat to Watford while Jake Biwell began a three game suspension for a red card picked up in that match.
Tony Craig and Nico Yennaris were drafted in to replace the duo, the latter making his first start since August, and Mark admitted it was a tough game for them to come into.
“Tony Craig and Nico Yennaris are two excellent pros but it was tough,” said Mark.
“Nico hasn’t played at first-team level for a while and Tony came on Tuesday evening when James Tarkowski got injured.
“It was a big ask but they are good pros and they are fit and they are well.
“It is about the team, and not just Tony and Nico, and as a team we weren’t good enough today.
“Second half we had a lot more effort.
“They sat deeper and Jonathan Douglas’s effort, same as Tuesday night, was outstanding, Alex Pritchard looked to get on the ball and play as always but there were too many of us today who were off the pace and that is the end result.
“In this division if you are off the pace then you get hurt.”
Also coming into the squad for the match against The Addicks was Development Squad midfielder Jermaine Udumaga.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been in fine form recently scoring six goals in his last seven games for Lee Carsley’s Development Squad.
Mark said it is vital for younger players to see that there is a way into the first-team adding he would have had no hesitation in using Jermaine if the situation had arisen.
“There has got to be a pathway and if players work hard every day then they have got to see some sort of pathway,” said Mark.
“If it is a dead-end where there is no forward movement for them then it is a very dispiriting situation for them.
“Jermaine has worked really hard and he has impressed Lee Carsley and Frank MacParland in Development Squad games.
“We are getting good feedback and again he was good last night when he played an hour so he deserves that.
“I said to the players in the changing room before the game that he is not there to make up the numbers, he deserves to be there and he is ready to be called upon if the team needs him.”