Jon De Souza said the quality of an experienced team enabled Brentford’s Development Squad to dominate from start to finish and beat Millwall yesterday.
The Bees beat the South London side 2-0 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game yesterday.
Will Grigg scored the first before half time and Stuart Dallas sealed it late on.
Brentford included Nico Yennaris, James Tarkowski, Kevin O’Connor, Jake Reeves, Stuart Dallas and Will Grigg – who were in the squad for the Sky Bet League One match against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
They also fielded Jack Bonham, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Raphaël Calvet and Josh Clarke, who have played First Team football this season, while substitute Aaron Pierre has also played for The Bees in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Capital One Cup this term.
Jon admitted his team could have created more chances but said they were comfortable.
He said the First Team players showed their attitude and application and their quality came out.
“I thought we were comfortable,” said Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the win.
“We dominated the game from start to finish.
“We could have been a bit more creative in the final third, made more chances, I was very pleased.
“We were more experienced and showed it.
“In some line-ups the First Team players don’t always show their quality.
“Our First Team players were excellent.
“When First Team players play in these games it is about their attitude and application.
“I would say 99.9 per cent of the time they are at it for me and do things properly.
“Then their quality shines through and it did today.
“My only criticism is that we didn’t create enough.
“Jack Bonham didn’t have a save to make but I would questions whether we created enough chances to say we deserved more goals.
“We need to be braver in the final third.
“At times we showed creativity and brightness but our finish let us down.”
Brentford started with Raphaël Calvet at left back and Josh Clarke on the left of midfield, both naturally right sided players.
Jon said the players were trained to play on the opposite side and the pair did it well.
He praised Kevin O’Connor and James Tarkowski – who played in the centre of defence – for putting their bodies on the line to deny Millwall and said his players kept possession well.
He said Millwall couldn’t chase the ball with high intensity all afternoon, and no team could, and that meant they tired late on.
“As an Academy we try to play players on the opposite side,” said Jon.
“If they do play in a game like this, they can do it.
“I felt Josh would be comfortable doing it.
“He needs to improve on his left foot but he is comfortable using it.
“If you keep possession the other team can’t score, you give yourself more chance and the other team tire, either mentally, physically or both.
“We made Millwall work; no team can work intensely for long periods.
“If you keep the ball ultimately you will blow them out of steam.
“James and Kevin were excellent at centre half; they threw their bodies in the way.
“It sums them up as individuals that they do that in an Under-21 game.
“We defended well when we had to.”
Brentford withdrew Nico Yennaris, James Tarkowski and Will Grigg on the hour mark and Jon said he was pleased they remained in control.
“We stayed on top of the game after the substitutions,” he said.
“It was a challenge for the three subs, who were disappointed not to play.
“I told them to go in, channel their disappointment and keep us on top of the game.
“They did that.
“The more games we play the more chance you get for the philosophy of the Club to come through in the players.”
Four Development Squad players played for loan clubs at the weekend, three starting – Charlie Adams at Barnet, Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Maidenhead United and Alfie Mawson at Welling United – with Luke Norris appearing as a substitute for Dagenham and Redbridge.
“We are very pleased with the loans,” said Jon.
“Four of them were involved at the weekend.
“Three started and did well.
“Tyrell was Man of the Match in the Non-League Paper.
“Dagenham don’t have a game tonight but Alfie is starting and Tyrell is playing.
“Charlie picked up a dead leg so won’t be involved unfortunately.
“Hopefully he will play on Saturday.
“This is all part of their development to get ready to play First Team football.”
A full video interview with Jon De Souza is available here for Bees Player subscribers.