Youth Team defender Gradi Milenge thought that a point-a-piece was about right from his side’s 2-2 Under 18 Professional Development League Two South draw with Coventry City on Saturday.
In a game of four goals, six yellow cards and two reds The Bees took the lead after 10 minutes through Joshua Bohui only for Coventry to level things after 25 minutes through George Thomas.
The hosts were then reduced to ten as Dion Kelly-Evans brought down George Harmes to pick up his second yellow card.
Brentford took advantage of that fact to retake the lead just after the break through Danny Parish before they themselves went down to ten as Chris Mepham picked up his second booking.
The Sky Blues needed only five minutes after Mepham’s dismissal to draw level again through James Maddison and that was how the game ended.
Speaking to Bees Player after the game Gradi thought that The Sky Blues dominated the first-half while The Bees were in charge of the second.
The 17-year-old admitted it was disappointing to concede the equaliser so soon after going down to ten men but thought the point was probably a fair reflection for both sides.
“It was a bit of a hectic game,” said Gradi.
“We battled in the first-half but Coventry were good and they kept the ball well.
“We tried to keep the ball but we weren’t successful at it but we kept trying.
“We took advantage in the second-half of them being a man down.
“We kept playing them and we eventually got the goal.
“It was unlucky for Chris to get sent off but when it was ten vs ten it was still quite equal.
“We still tried to do the right things.
“I think it was a fair result.
“They had a number seven in the middle of the pitch for them who was really effective.
“I think he played as the number ten last year and he was tricky but I think this year he was more effective playing in the position he played in.
“We had to try and figure him out and I think Zain Westbrooke did a good job against him.
In their five league games so far this season Jeremy Steele’s side have taken the lead in four of them.
That is a far cry from last season where The Bees scored the first goal in only eight of their 29 league and cup games.
Gradi believes that these faster starts are coming as a result of the increased confidence within the camp.
However having lead twice on Saturday against Coventry Gradi said it is one thing getting in front in game but The Bees must also learn to see those games out once they do get ahead.
“This year we are going into games looking to win,” said Gradi.
“Last year we might have settled for a draw but this year we don’t want to settle for a draw.
“We really want to win and we go out to games wanting to get the first goal and the second goal.
“We were unlucky today because we went up and then they equalised and we went up again and they equalised again.
“We are going to continue to look to win this season and hopefully be successful at it.
“It was disappointing not to hold out.
“Giving away the free-kick myself it felt like I let the team down.
“It was sloppy and I think we need to learn how to kill games because we have been up.
“We were up in the game today and we were up last week as well.
“We need to learn how to finish the games off and work on that in the future.”
Following overnight rain in the West Midlands the pitch was surprisingly watered both before the game and at half-time.
The slick underfoot conditions made timing challenges difficult and as a result six yellow cards and two reds were issued.
Gradi picked up one of those yellow cards for the challenge which led to Coventry’s equaliser from a free-kick.
The central defender admitted that keeping your footing was difficult on the pitch and said that after he picked up his booking he had to change his style of play to make sure that he didn’t pick up a second caution.
“It was difficult to judge whether it was a studs or a moulds pitch,” said Gradi.
“The pitch was hard at first so we were thinking it might have been a mould to go out with but it was wet during the game so it might not have been the right idea.
“It affected the game quite a bit because it switched possessions quite a bit.
“I got myself involved in a few challenges and that is just something that happens in football.
“I think the referee has made the right decisions as he has got to do what he has to do and we have got to deal with it.
“After I got booked I had to make sure that I was neater out of possession so that I wasn’t in a position where I had to do dirty work.
“I was thinking tactically to make sure that I got to a one vs one first.
“If I hadn’t been booked I might have gambled a bit more.
“We might have ran together and he could have got first so I had to think a bit more and adapt.”
As well as making four appearances in the league for the Youth Team this season Gradi has also featured five times for the Development Squad in league and pre-season so far.
Playing up with more experienced players has, he believes, helped him to become more of a leader when he comes back down to the Youth Team.
Gradi hopes that he can use these leadership skills to help the players around him especially those first-year scholars for whom Youth Team football is a new experience.
“This time last year I think I was a bit quiet at the back,” said Gradi.
“Tactically I didn’t know as much as I do now and now I have got that experience.
“Jon, Jeremy and Anthony have helped me with one-on-one sessions.
“I know a lot more about the game.
“I know where my midfielders have got to be.
“It has helped me a lot because I can come down here and tell the boys what to do sometimes.
“Even when I am having a bad game as long as I am talking I feel that I am helping.
“The first-years are young and I know their heads can go down: I know when I was a first-year that my head could go if I made a mistake.
“I need to keep them going and tell them what to do.
“Sometimes I might have to shout at them but I think I help them a lot.”
Bees Player subscribers can listen to the full interview here