Jon De Souza said the performance of Brentford’s Development Squad against Queens Park Rangers “wasn’t good enough”.
The Bees were beaten 4-2 by their neighbours in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game at Brentford’s freezing, wind-swept Training Ground.
QPR went ahead inside two minutes before Sam Griffiths equalised.
But QPR scored almost immediately and then at the start of the second half to get a two goal cushion before scoring again to make it 4-1.
Lee Hodson pulled a goal back but Brentford were well beaten.
Development Squad Manager Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said Brentford were the better team in the first half but not good enough and generally lacked energy.
“It wasn’t good enough,” he said.
“We were a bit dead today.
“I’m not sure why but the tempo and intensity we played at was not what we are used to and not what I expect from the players.
“I am not sure why, perhaps the early goal knocked the stuffing out of us.
“We conceded early but we have done that in other games, like last week [when we came from 2-0 down to beat Charlton Athletic].
“Our tempo, intensity and energy was not what it should be.
“We were slightly better than them in the first half, but by no means good.
“I was disappointed in all the goals we conceded, we conceded silly goals at silly times.
“When it went 1-1 I thought we would win the game but to conceded straight away and then so early in the second half knocked the stuffing out of us.
“We conceded in the first two minutes, straight after we scored and at the start of the second half.
“That kills you.
“Everything we talked about went out of the window.”
The Bees started with a 4-4-2 system and switched to three central defenders in the second half, with Kevin O’Connor playing in a sweeper role.
Jon said Manager Uwe Rösler, who watched the match, wanted The Bees to play that way.
Brentford were 2-1 down at half time and Jon said the players did not play well enough to see if the change had an impact.
“We wanted to change the shape,” he said.
“The Manager wanted to look at that shape and certain players in it.
“We went to 3-5-2.
“We didn’t do well enough to see if that worked or didn’t.
“You talk about what you want to do and then concede straight away, it kills you.”
The Bees have three games remaining in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South, the next of which is against Swansea City on April 8.
They have slipped to fourth in the table and are seeking a top two finish to reach the national Play-Offs to decide the overall winner of the competition.
Cardiff are top, four points head of The Bees having played a game more, while Charlton are second and QPR third, both a point ahead.
QPR have, however, played a game more than Brentford.
“There are three games to go and now we go again,” said Jon.
“In general I can’t fault the players’ application and attitude.
“Today they lacked energy.
“It is unlike them.
“A few of the lads talked about the wind but that was the same for both teams.
“I felt they showed a little more desire than us.
“It’s something I would like to know why.
“If it is something we, the staff, have done we will get to the bottom of it.
“If you play with a good tempo most of the time and then you don’t, it’s something we need to look at.
“We have time on the training pitch to get it right before we play Swansea.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.