Antonio German said Brentford’s Development Squad deserved to lose their Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game against Colchester United yesterday.
The Bees were beaten 2-1 in Essex to end their season with a defeat.
The home side went ahead in the first half and although Antonio equalised, Colchester capitalised on a poor George Pilbeam back pass to win the match.
Brentford’s team included four players from the Under-18 squad and three more were on the substitute’s bench as well as Makhosini Ryan Khayne, who is in the Under-16 squad, and Antonio said the lack of experience made a difference.
He said Brentford had enough chances to have got something from the game but Colchester deserved the win.
“It was a fair result,” said the striker, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“I don’t think we played well enough to deserve a win.
“We had a lot of young players out there today and they weren’t used to the way we play and this level of football.
“I thought they found it quite hard.
“The second goal was a mistake, we have to get up and learn again.
“We were all young once, we have to learn.
“The first 20 minutes they were on top.
“They showed they were a good team.
“We got back in to the game, got a goal back and did alright until the second half.
“They dominated the second half.
“But we had chances to have got a draw.
“I should have scored in the second half but it wasn’t to be.”
The Bees finished fourth in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South standings.
Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City, who made the top two and will compete in the end-of-season Play-Offs against teams from the northern section for the overall title, finished four points ahead of Brentford while Brighton and Hove Albion were two better off.
Brentford beat every team in their league at least once and finished ahead of teams including Bristol City, Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers in the standings.
“We could have done better than finish fourth in this league,” said Antonio.
“We could have finished at least second.
“It was hard for us in this league.
“We lost a few of our games when the Development Squad players were with the First Team and there were younger players playing.
“We could have finished first if we had the full team every game.
“If the Manager wants these players in the First Team it is only a good thing.”
Antonio had a spell on loan at Gillingham earlier in the season, scoring one goal in seven matches.
He was brought back as Manager Uwe Rösler wanted to use him in the First Team and he was involved in the npower League One game against Milton Keynes Dons.
He said he enjoyed his time out on loan.
“It was a good experience for me,” he said.
“It is more competitive playing League Two football out on loan.
“You play in front of a crowd every game and it is a lot more testing.
“I was brought back because the Manager thought I was doing well but because of how well the team are doing I haven’t had more chances.
“That is understandable.
“I loved it at Gillingham it was really good.”
Antonio German’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.