Lee Carsley said he thought the 2-2 draw between Brentford’s Development Squad and their counterparts from Colchester United on Monday was a fair result.
The Bees had the better of the first half but fell behind just after half time.
They hit back, levelled when Montell Moore scored and then went ahead as Josh Clarke raced through to slot home.
But they could not get the win as Colchester equalised late on to take a share of the spoils.
Development Squad Manager Lee, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said he was pleased with the way his side responded to going behind.
The Bees have only won one of ten Under-21 Professional Development League Two matches this term and Lee said his players lack belief.
But he said they now had something to build on.
“I think 2-2 was fair,” said Lee.
“Their coach felt we shaded it but it was a fair result.
“We started well, they finished the first half stronger than us and started the second stronger.
“I was most happy with the team – who have not been getting results and the confidence and belief just isn’t there – coming back from going a goal down.
“They have dealt with that better, and that is a positive sign.
“We speak about it with them.
“They will have stages in their careers when it is like this and it is down to them to have the strength and resilience and pull themselves out of it.
“It is also true that they didn’t then know how to win the game.
“I asked them afterwards whether they thought they believed they would win the game.
“It was 50/50, half said they didn’t and the rest said they felt we could get another.
“We had chances to score again but when they equalised they finished strongly.”
Lee said he was trying to change the mentality of his group.
“When we went one down we increased the tempo, started playing forward quicker and got the goal,” he said.
“We carried that on, got the second and then seemed to want to hang on.
“We dropped off.
“Losing is a habit and so is winning; it is about trying to change the mentality.”
Brentford included Marcos Tébar, who is on his way back from injury, but no-one else who had started a league game for the Club.
Lee, who has been at the Club for around a month, said it was another opportunity for him to learn about his players.
It was his first point as Development Squad boss after defeats to Crystal Palace and Swansea City and an abandoned friendly against Maidenhead United.
“Overall it was a good workout,” said Lee.
“It was my third game and I am learning about the players every game.
“I am learning what their strengths and weaknesses are and putting together a programme to develop that to push them in to the First Team.
“It is a work in progress.
“This was a proper development game.
“We had one First Team player and so did they.
“The players knew they were going to start all week.
“In preparation terms it was a good thing.”
Brentford’s next game is at home to Bristol City next Monday and Lee said there were positives to take in to that match.
“We can take the fact we got a point and we have another home game next week,” he said.
“It gives me another week to work with the lads.
“Hopefully they will keep progressing.
“I have 12, 13, 14 players and they are all individuals that develop at different speeds.
“We have to know which ones to push and which ones to ease up on.
“The more time I spend with them the easier it is getting.
“Playing games helps, having another home game next week is a good thing for us.”
A full post-match interview with Lee Carsley is available here for Bees Player subscribers.