Brentford Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said he did not think his team’s 6-3 defeat to Charlton Athletic in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South match was a fair reflection of the match.
The Bees were beaten in South London yesterday afternoon despite Martin Fillo scoring a hat-trick.
The Bees were 2-1 up at half time as Martin Fillo scored twice in the space of fifty seconds just before the break.
Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said he felt his team deserved to be ahead at that point but they were not as good in the second half.
Although Martin Fillo scored a third for The Bees after Charlton had gone 3-2 up, the home side scored three more without reply.
Jon pointed to an inexperienced defence as although Scott Barron started the rest of the back four was midfield player Joe Maloney, 18, first year professional Kieran Morris, 18, and 17-year-old Gradi Milenge.
Right footed Richard Bryan, 18, replaced Scott Barron and Jon said his defence struggled to cope with a Charlton team that included Marvin Sordell, who was part of the Great Britain squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“I don’t think the score line reflected the game, and certainly not the first half,” said Jon.
“Although I would say that we looked like we would concede regularly when they got the ball in the final third.
“They did look dangerous.
“The result didn’t reflect the performance overall.
“We struggled defensively.
“I can’t fault their effort or application but the back four that finished had a second year scholar as a left back, a centre midfield play at right back, a first year scholar and first year professional at centre half.
“We were young and inexperienced at this level and they had a lot of experience up top.
“They overran and overpowered us at times.
“At half time I felt we had what we deserved.
“I told the players to keep getting hold of the football, keep passing it and being bright in the final third.
“I also wanted us to be more organised, they looked dangerous on the counter attack and ultimately they did hurt us on the counter.
“We didn’t start great in the second half.
“We were a bit off the mark.
“The boys were happy to have come in 2-1 up and they were off the ball second half.”
Jon said his team’s performance was “OK” overall and a young squad, that also included second-year scholar Lionel Stone, would learn from the experience.
Jon said the more experienced players in the line-up did well.
“We were OK overall,” he said.
“Some of our attacking play was very good, defensively it needs work.
“Gradi has played against Marvin Sordell, he will learn from that.
“We scored three goals, which is pleasing, but conceded six, which isn’t good enough.
“The players have to learn.
“The Club has ambitions to be in the Championship and that is the level.
“They have to learn or they won’t be good enough.
“The players close to the First Team did well.
“Martin scored a hat-trick, Manny [Emmanuel Oyeleke], Scott Barron and Josh Clarke did really well.
“The whole group knows that we didn’t deserve to lose 6-3.
“The players have to realise it should inspire them to do better.”
Jon said it was great for the group that Louis Hutton, who joined the Club on a Development Squad contract last month, was on the substitute’s bench for the Sky Bet League One game against Carlisle United on Saturday.
He said it was the aim of the Academy to produce First Team players.
“It is great,” said Jon.
“It shows there is a pathway if they do well in these games.
“Louis did well today for the first 60 to 65 minutes.
“Overall I was pleased with him.
“We want to produce First Team players, whether we win or lose games it is still the same.
“That’s the aim and ambition.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.