Jack O’Connell felt Brentford should have left The Macron Stadium with all three points after a physical encounter against Bolton Wanderers in Lee Carsley’s final match as Head Coach.
John Swift put The Bees ahead inside the opening ten minutes and they had chances to get a second goal but couldn’t find a way past Ben Amos.
With Gary Madine and Shola Ameobi providing a physical battle for Jack and James Tarkowski The Trotters got back into the game midway through the half when Neil Danns netted.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Jack felt The Bees did enough to warrant taking all three points and it was frustrating to let their lead slip.
“It was a hard fought point but I think it was two points lost rather than a point gained,” said Jack. “We had chances that we could have put away and we could have had a bit more composure in our defensive work to not concede the goal. Shola Ameobi and Gary Madine are two big lads and it was a good battle. Every centre-back enjoys a good battle and they gave us a good battle tonight. Shola is clever with his movement and he gets his body in early so he is hard to mark and get round him. I thought we did well up to a certain point and maybe with a bit more composure we could have walked away with three points. In the second-half we found it hard to get out of our half at times but once we did we cut them open and we had chances to win the game.”
Jack came into the side after Harlee Dean picked up a three match suspension for a red card in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old defender is hopeful that a run of good performances in Harlee’s absence can see him stake a claim for a spot in the starting XI.
“I thought that I did alright,” said Jack. “I was very tired towards the end but I thought my performance will hold me in good stead for next week if I get the nod. I want to play football and that is why I work hard every day in training. I am not here to make up numbers I am here to play so that is what I plan to do.”
The former Blackburn defender is looking forward to working under new Head Coach Dean Smith who took over at Griffin Park today and thinks there is a clean slate for everyone in the squad to make the starting line-up.
“It will be a clean slate for everyone with Dean Smith taking over,” said Jack. “He was here to watch us live tonight so hopefully we did a good job for him. I want to start every game and if he sees that I have done well today and picks me next week then I will do the same again. Dean’s sides are good sides, they pass the ball well and press you high. I played against his sides last season and they were good side so I hope he can bring his knowledge here and help us go further up the table.”
Bees Player subscribers can listen to the full interview below