Brentford Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said his players had to be able to deal with teams trying to affect the way they play if they were going to succeed.
The Bees were beaten 3-2 by Millwall in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game in South London yesterday afternoon.
They were 2-0 up at half time thanks to a brace from Tyrell Miller-Rodney.
But Millwall came out after half time and levelled it up within ten minutes; they then won the game late on.
The game followed a similar pattern to recent losses against Charlton Athletic and Bristol City.
The Bees were ahead at half time having played well in all three but the opposition changed things at the break and took the game.
Jon said he had warned his players what to expect from Millwall, especially with manager Ian Holloway watching the hosts, but they could not deal with it.
“It was a game of two halves,” said Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the game.
“I was pleased with the first half, especially with our play in the final third.
“I was really disappointed with the second half.
“I warned the players about what would happen.
“I know the Millwall way, their First Team Manager was watching and they had a long team talk.
“I felt we had to find a way to continue playing the way we did while being aware the other team would try to stop us.
“They did that and after the first ten minutes it was 2-2.
“They definitely changed; they went to a full press and had more energy and tempo.
“They were told to stop us playing and they did that.
“We weren’t good enough to play round them or through them.
“In the first half although we played well, we passed it well so they couldn’t pressure us.
“The best players can play under pressure and through pressure.
“We gave the ball away too easily under pressure.
“We need players that can play under pressure.”
Jon said his players had to be good enough to keep dominating games when the opposition changed their styles.
He added injuries to Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Kieran Morris were not an excuse for Brentford losing control.
“In the past three games we have been the better team in the first half and had leads,” said Jon.
“We have really played good football.
“This is not like Under-18 football where the game just continues.
“The idea of these games is preparation for first teams.
“In the past three games we gave dominated possession in the first half and teams have come out after half time and tried to affect us.
“We have to be good enough to not let it happen.
“Injuries didn’t help but I won’t make excuses.
“The players on the pitch have to be good enough and ultimately they weren’t.”
Jon said he could take positives from Brentford’s attacking play in the final third.
He said his players created more chances and got players forward.
But he added he wanted more than half a performance.
“You can take positives,” said Jon.
“Some of our play in the final third was really good.
“Their manager has complemented us on how well we played in the first half.
“But this is about performance and results, we have had half a performance and we didn’t get a result.
“A lot of what we worked on this week was to get forward and create chances.
“I think we did and Tyrell got two goals from midfield.
“We wanted to play football higher up the pitch; I think we did, in the first half at least.”
Brentford have three Undeer-21 Professional Development League Two South games remaining.
Jon set his players a target.
“We have to try and dominate the first half like we have done, take the lead and then do it for 90 minutes,” he said.
“We have a young group and we need to make sure they learn.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.