James Tarkowski said Brentford had to settle for a draw against Carlisle United because they simply couldn’t break the Cumbrian side down.
Brentford drew 0-0 at Brunton Park yesterday afternoon and James, speaking to Bees Player on the way back to London, admitted they wanted more than a point.
The central defender, who made his Brentford debut in the match, said it was not a bad result, just not the best result.
James said Brentford expected Carlisle to set up in the way they did but did not have the creativity on the day to get the all-important goal.
He added that when Clayton Donaldson did get the ball in the net, cutting in off the left and drilling home, replays suggested he was not offside despite the assistant referee raising his flag.
“We are slightly disappointed,” he said.
“Carlisle have sat off and made life difficult.
“Fair play to them, they got a point, but we are disappointed.
“We wanted three points to bounce back from [losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers] last week.
“I don’t think a point is a bad result, it is just not the best result.
“We expected what they did.
“They gave no space in midfield for our players.
“We got the ball wide at times but couldn’t break them down.
“We moved the ball well, passed it well but lacked a bit of creativity in the final third.
“On another day you’d get a chance and put it away.
“Clayton scored and that was ruled out for offside, which was debatable.
“That goes in and you have your goal and your points.
“We can be pleased to a point with the way we moved the ball but it is a sign of where we are that Carlisle are celebrating getting a point and we are disappointed.”
Brentford’s defence largely kept Carlisle quiet.
James said the hosts played long balls to striker Lee Miller and tried to play off him but The Bees shut that off.
“They had a few chances, one or two, but you expect that,” said the defender.
“They used the long ball but we limited them.
“I have played against Lee Miller a few times; he is good at what he does.
“They suit the way he plays.
“They hit long balls to him and try and get around him.
“That is how they cause teams problems, they got few one or two times but we did well.”
As well as James coming in to the team for his debut, right back Alan McCormack missed out with injury and Nico Yennaris stepped in.
James said he was pleased with how he played and added getting an hour for Brentford’s Development Squad in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game against Millwall on Tuesday helped.
“I think we did alright defensively,” he said.
“Having two new defenders in the back four can go against you a little bit.
“It is my first league game for just over a month; I was pleased with how I did.
“I was pleased to get out there in the Under-21 game.
“I wouldn’t say it has been frustrating but I wanted to play.
“To go from playing week in week out to not playing is tough.
“You train and don’t get game time.
“I was happy to get out there on Tuesday and get 90 minutes on my debut today.”
James said he was enjoying his time at Brentford, a month after arriving from Oldham Athletic.
The defender was originally due to return to the Greater Manchester side on loan but the move was halted as he was needed at Griffin Park.
“I have really enjoyed it here so far,” he said.
“The lads and coaching staff have made it easy for me.
“To be called down here in the way I was probably helped me.
“Harlee Dean has been struggling and Tony Craig has a broken hand.
“I was thrown in and I had to deal with it.
“I have really enjoyed it.
“There is competition for places.
“I had no reason to ask why I wasn’t playing in a team that was winning every week.
“Harlee has an injury and that has given me a chance.
“Hopefully I can keep my spot.”
Brentford are third in Sky Bet League One, three points behind joint-leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leyton Orient having played two games fewer than the latter.
The Bees face Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers at home in four days next week and James said the players were confident they would close the gap at the top.
“There is a slight gap but we have games in hand and if we do what we do best, we will close that gap,” he said.
“We are still confident we can win the league.
“We have to get wins under our belt.
“We move on to the game next Saturday and hopefully take the points.”
James Tarkowski’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.