Dean Smith felt that Wycombe Wanderers gave his Brentford side a real test in sweltering conditions at Adams Park, as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in tonight’s pre-season friendly. John Egan gave The Bees a first-half lead, capitalising on some slack marking in the home defence to convert Ryan Woods’ deflected cross from close range. That advantage lasted until the final quarter of an hour before Dayle Southwell nodded home Paris Cowan-Hall’s far post cross.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match, Dean had mixed views on his team’s performance but gave credit to the hosts for making things very difficult for his players. “It was a tough game played in really hot conditions so it took a lot out of the players,” said Dean. “We have a few niggles in the camp right now so we could only bring 18 players here tonight. That meant five or six of the players had to play 90 minutes which is probably a little bit too much at this stage of pre-season. That probably told in the latter stages. Wycombe made it very difficult for us. They went man for man and pressed us high so we had to play beyond the press at times. We maybe have to do better with the ball up front and join up quicker but there were spells where it was really good. The first 20 minutes of the second-half Romaine Sawyers and Lewis Macleod were playing as the two midfielders, I thought they were excellent and really carved out some good chances for us.”
A number of senior players were not included for the trip to Buckinghamshire owing to slight injury concerns while Dean also lost the services of midfielder Josh McEachran just before half-time. However, The Bees Head Coach was quick to allay any injury fears surrounding Josh or any of the other absentees saying the important thing was to get his squad through pre-season fit and healthy.
“Josh McEachran felt his groin slightly,” said Dean. “He felt that he could have carried on but I have stressed to the players from the start of pre-season that my biggest thing is to get through it injury free. It was more of a precaution and he will be fine. Andreas got another 45 minutes tonight and Lewis Macleod looks a really good player. Scott Hogan has a little ankle niggle so we rested him. Sam Saunders is out and Nico Yennaris has a little niggle so we are without a few players at the moment."
Jack Bonham took his place between the sticks on Tuesday night just hours after David Button completed his move to West London neighbours Fulham. Jack was largely untroubled during the 90 minutes, aside from one fantastic fingertip save in the first-half to deny Gary Thompson, and Dean has full faith that the 22-year-old can challenge Daniel Bentley for the number one shirt at Griffin Park.
“Jack Bonham can compete with Daniel Bentley,” said Dean. “I brought Daniel in because I know what a good goalkeeper he is but I know that Jack will push him all the way and that is what you need. If David had chosen to stay I would have had three good goalkeepers. He hasn’t and that is football but now we have got Daniel and Jack who can push each other.”