Harlee Dean apologised to the fans who travelled to the South West after The Bees were knocked out of the EFL Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Sky Bet League Two side Exeter City. After a goalless 90 minutes of normal time, Ryan Harley scored what proved to be the winner in the 100th minute to send The Grecians into Round Two. Speaking to Bees Player after match, Harlee said the team’s performance was unacceptable and that the fans who travelled deserved more.
“It wasn’t good enough again,” said Harlee. “We didn’t create chances and we didn’t test their goalkeeper. I think as a defensive unit we were solid and Jack Bonham only had one save to make. It wasn’t good enough against a League Two side to not create chances and not get shots on goal. We are a Championship team and they are in League Two and there’s a reason for that. We should have won comfortably and we know that. We are sorry to everyone who travelled tonight. It was not good enough and not acceptable. We are disappointed and we can tell that they are disappointed too. It is a long journey on a Tuesday night and we haven’t given them anything to cheer about.”
Harlee again partnered John Egan at the heart of defence after the duo played The Bees Sky Bet Championship opener at Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The 25-year-old said it was good to get more minutes alongside John. adding that he feels their partnership is beginning to come together.
“We need to play together,” said Harlee. “After Saturday it was nice to play with him again and I think that we are getting a really good understanding. We were solid tonight, they didn’t cause us too much trouble, and we covered each other quite well. We felt good with the full-backs either side of us and the protection ahead of us. I thought that we looked quite dangerous from set-pieces but we couldn’t quite get on the end of it. As a team we know we can be better and move the ball quicker and that is what we have to do.”
After two defeats to begin the new campaign Harlee said it is now even more important to put in a good performance on Saturday to get the three points against Ipswich Town at Griffin Park.
“Thursday is going to be low key now because we have gone into extra-time which isn’t ideal ahead of Saturday,” said Harlee. “We have to get a result on Saturday because you don’t want to start the season with three defeats. A result comes from a performance and we know we have to put that in as well.”