Brentford Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said he was pleased with his side’s performance in their Under-21 Professional Development League Two South win over Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday.
But he admitted missed chances almost cost them dear.
The Bees beat Brighton 2-1 in the match at Brentford’s Training Ground yesterday afternoon.
The visitors went ahead but Brentford equalised quickly when Charlie Adams converted a penalty.
Brentford won it in the second half when Alfie Mawson reacted quickest to score when a corner dropped loose.
The match was played in horrible conditions, particularly in the second half.
The pitch was wet and there was a strong wind blowing straight down the field of play.
Rain and hail fell in the second half and made the pitch heavier.
Jon said he felt his team had the better of possession but not taking chances left them vulnerable.
He called on them to follow the lead of the First Team in pushing for more goals when ahead, as instructed by Manager Mark Warburton.
“Overall I was pleased with the performance,” said Jon.
“With conditions taken in to account, we played well.
“It is always nice to win.
“My job is produce players for the First Team and part of First Team football is winning.
“I felt we edged it in terms of possession but in terms of chances it was even.
“I was disappointed to go a goal down but it was pleasing to get back quickly.
“They created chances but we dominated possession.
“We need to turn that in to goals.
“We didn’t do well enough in the last ten to 15 minutes.
“Mark Warburton is keen to turn 1-0 in to 2-0 and 2-0 in to 3-0.
“We have to install that mentality.
“We tried to protect our lead a bit too much.
“Ultimately it almost killed us.”
Jon said conditions reminded him of Brentford’s Sky Bet League One match against Gillingham last Friday, January 24, which he watched from the bench.
He said when the conditions worsened, the quality of play decreased.
“In the second half, when it started to rain, it was very windy and very cold,” said Jon.
“It was a bit like Friday’s game in that regard.
“There was no stadium here to protect us and the conditions weren’t ideal.
“It is hard to play in as you have to fight the conditions.
“The quality of the game went down.”
Jon praised Charlie Adams for his delivery of dead balls which created the winning goal and almost set up more.
Brentford used three trialists, striker Anderson Banvo from the start and midfield players Roman Michael-Percil and Louis Hutton as substitutes.
First Team players Toumani Diagouraga, Jake Reeves, Scott Barron, Stuart Dallas and Raphaël Calvet were also involved.
Jon said he enjoyed having them involved as they had a great attitude.
“We don’t have a real pattern,” he said.
“Our squad changes from week to week.
“So having trialists doesn’t hinder our play.
“I speak to a lot of Under-21 managers and they almost don’t want First Team players playing.
“I enjoy it.
“Credit to our First Team players, they always put the effort in.
“They have a great attitude and help our younger players.
“It is a squad effort and they help our players.
“It is good for them too.”
Brentford play another Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game on Thursday, January 30, at home to Swansea City.
Jon said the league doesn’t usually prepare players for the intensity of the First Team schedule but this week would.
“It is very good for us,” he said.
“This league, with the way the games are played, it doesn’t necessarily prepare players for First Team football and the amount of games.
“That is why we loan players out.
“This week is ideal.
“They will cool down tomorrow, train Wednesday and play Thursday.
“That gives them the intensity of First Team football and they have to look after themselves.
“Our players don’t get a run of games.
“Two in a week will be good.
“We then have two weeks off and then a run of games every week until the end of the season.
“With a run of games hopefully the results, although not all important, will improve and performances can reach the standard they did today.”
Jon De Souza’s full post-match reaction is available here for Bees Player subscribers.