Brentford’s Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said he did not think his team deserved to lose their Under-21 Professional Development League Two South match to Bristol City yesterday, but did not do enough to win it.
The Bees were beaten 2-1 in Bristol yesterday afternoon despite taking the lead through Kojo Awotwi.
They dominated most of the game but City levelled early in the second half when they were on top.
The home side had defender Louis Carey sent off on the hour mark but Brentford, despite dominating possession and territory, couldn’t break through.
City then struck on the counter attack to take the points.
Jon said his team did not use the ball well enough and needed to do more in attacking areas.
“I don’t think we should have lost but I am not sure we should have won it,” he said.
“We didn’t do enough to win.
“I don’t think we did enough to lose but did not do enough to win it either.
“I have been thinking when walking back from the pitch and we dominated possession but that was more to do with the styles of play.
“Against a team like Swansea City, if you dominate possession, you are the better team.
“It was two different styles today and we were always going to have more of the ball.
“It was how we used it that would determine the result.
“We did not use it well enough.
“We kept it OK but did not create many chances.
“We need to do more in the final third and have more attacking players that want to be attacking players.”
Brentford had Youth Team player Lionel Stone, normally a central defender, as the central striker in a front three but Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said that was not an excuse.
He praised Josh Clarke, who provided most of Brentford’s attacking impetus on the right wing, but said there was not enough threat apart from him.
Jon said his players needed to have more belief they would create and score goals.
“When you get in the final third the only thought should be how to create and score goals,” said Jon.
“Josh Clarke did it well, especially first half.
“Apart from that, I don’t think we had enough threat in the final third.
“We did have Lionel Stone up front but we also had two attacking central midfield players and Kojo as a wide player.
“Lionel is a defence minded player but I don’t think that can be an excuse and I don’t make excuses.
“We could have done better.
“We have to have more belief.
“We need the player to believe they can go past players, create things and score goals.
“You have to have the right techniques and knowledge.
“If we improve that, the belief will come.”
Jon said Brentford were the masters of the own downfall.
He said his players did not defend well enough or move the ball quickly enough in the right areas.
“They ended the first half well and started the second half well,” said Jon.
“I told the players they would come and press after half time and we had to be good enough to play around it.
“At times we were the masters of our own downfall.
“We played in unrealistic areas and didn’t move the ball quick enough at times.
“We needed to deal with that better.
“Bristol City scored when they were on top, at a good time for them, and their second again came from poor decisions in and out of possession.
“Our defending wasn’t good enough for the goals.
“We want to be expansive in possession and then react quickly.
“We didn’t do that today.”
Jon said City did very well after they had a man sent off and Brentford had few chances – Josh Clarke forced City goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott in to a good low save from distance and a late effort from trialist Jermaine Udumaga also tested the stopper.
He said his players were not used to playing against ten men and they would learn from it.
“I thought they did very well with ten,” said Jon.
“They made it extremely hard for us to play.
“Apart from Jermaine’s chance at the end, we didn’t break them down.
“We probably had 80 per cent of possession in the last half hour but didn’t do enough to break them down.
“None of the players have played against ten men before.
“It is a good experience that they have to make sure they are brave enough and bright enough to break them down.
“I don’t think we did enough to wear them down physically and mentally.
“We do a lot in training with 10v11 and 10v9.
“Hopefully now they can picture why we do it.
“Next time we do it in training, hopefully everyone will see this game and why we do it.
“The fact we lost allows me to highlight the point.
“This level is about learning.
“The key thing is to progress.”
Jon also updated on Brentford’s Development Squad players out on loan and explained Charlie Adams has been recalled from a loan spell at Skrill Premier Barnet as Brentford Manager Mark Warburton is considering using him for Sky Bet League One action.
Luke Norris scored his third goal for Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday and Aaron Pierre is also in Sky Bet League Two at Wycombe Wanderers while Tyrell Miller-Rodney is with Skrill South Maidenhead United.
Jon said they were getting good experience and it also gave a chance for Youth Team players to step up.
Lionel Stone, Kojo Awotwi and Fabian Rowe were involved at Bristol City and Jon said there would be more opportunities.
“Charlie has gone out and played five games, three from the start,” said Jon.
“He has done really well.
“The manager wanted more attacking options, he is back with us.
“He has trained today with the potential of being involved against Tranmere tomorrow.
“Luke Norris scored again on Saturday and will continue to play.
“Tyrell played on Saturday and is playing on Thursday and Saturday.
“Aaron Pierre might be involved for Wycombe tomorrow.
“Loans are great for the players’ experience and give others a chance to step up here.
“Our Youth Team players probably haven’t had a run at this level, I’d like a bit more than than today, apart from Lionel Stone, who’s work rate was excellent.
“They have to step up and show they can play at this level.
“The scholars will get an opportunity and have to show they are good enough.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.