Brentford’s Youth Team extended their lead at the summit of the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South with a 2-0 win over QPR on Saturday that left manager Jon De Souza satisfied.
James Ferry scored just before half-time and Seika Jatta finally put the game to bed with five minutes of the 90 remaining.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Jon said that while he was happy to have won the match he felt there were lots of improvements to be made going forward.
“I think it was an average performance,” said Jon.
“I think we dominated the game without controlling the game.
“I don’t think we really got hold of the football at any period and made some passes.
“We didn’t really dictate how the game went even though we always looked a threat and looked like we were going to create chances and score.
“Overall I would say I was satisfied even though there was a lot to be improved on.
“To begin with we were quite bright and found a bit of success.
“We were finding the front man and getting runners off the front man quite well.
“After that QPR dropped off and we tried to force it through gaps that were never there.
“We might have been able to keep the ball, pass the ball and look after the ball a bit more.
“When teams do that you need to be patient and keep the ball to see if they will come out of their pockets and come out of the areas that they are trying to protect.
“You also need to be creative and bright and I thought we were but we didn’t keep the ball for long enough periods of time.
“I wanted the boys to improve and be better at half-time.
“I wanted us to show the same intent to attack but be a little bit more purposeful at times and then be a little bit more patient.
“I also wanted us to take our chances because we got into some real good areas but ultimately scored from a deflected goal.
“There were five points that I said to the players, two positives, which were creating chances and clean sheets, and two negatives, which were the lack of taking chances and the lack of dominating the game.
“For me thought the overriding positive was that we worked so hard.”
Brentford created numerous chances over the course of the 90 minutes and should have wrapped the match up far earlier than they did.
Martin Herdman in the visitor’s goal made fine saves to deny Bradley Clayton, Decarey Sheriff and Tom Field while Makhosini Khanye should have found the net on the hour.
For Jon the narrative of missed chances is becoming an all-too-familiar one and something which he is looking to change.
Jon said it is vital that the players realise how important it is that they take their chances and that is something which will be taking a high priority in training in the coming weeks.
“If I am being honest I think the game against Ipswich Town, where we were very clinical, was a one-off,” said Jon.
“We have been consistent in missing chances this season.
“Against Hull City we missed a lot of chances and if we had taken our chances in America we would probably have won the competition.
“We didn’t take our chances this week or against Colchester United but last week it was terrific.
“That is the standard the players need to set but unfortunately we have been consistent in missing chances.
“We are looking at ways to make it more competitive to score goals and more punishable if you miss chances.
“We are looking at it because the players need to realise that is what wins you and loses you football matches.
“I think a couple of times in the second half we did counter with good pace and at a good intensity.
“We could have put the game to bed earlier but that was a good goal.”
One of the real positives for Jon was the clean sheet and the performance of Tom Roberts in his first ever start for the Youth Team.
Tom did not have much to do as The Bees controlled the game but he made one crucial save late on to secure the three points for his side.
With the score at 1-0 Gianni Critchlow burst through for QPR but Roberts was out brilliantly to make a fine block save to maintain Brentford’s advantage.
“Sometimes games like this are the hardest ones for goalkeepers as I don’t think he had to make a save all game,” said Jon.
“The save late on was the first save he had to make and that is what good goalkeepers do.
“It was a clean sheet for him which was good.
“I think QPR had a few threats on the break and there were a few occasions where they created chances and threatened our goal but we dealt with their threat ok.”
Next up for Jon and his side is a crucial trip to South London to face one of their closest challengers for an Under-18 Professional Development League Two South play-off spot Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks currently sit nine points behind The Bees in third place but have three games in hand.
The first game this season was a keenly contested 2-1 win for The Bees thanks to a double from James Ferry.
Charlton’s Academy has a rich pedigree in recent years with Diego Poyet, Joe Gomez, Harry Lennon and Karlan Aherne-Grant all coming through the ranks in recent years to play Sky Bet Championship football.
Jon said he is looking forward to a good individual and team test against Charlton on Saturday and one which will be a good benchmark to judge his side on.
“It is a lovely pitch down at Charlton Athletic and they are a good team down there,” said Jon.
“They are third but have a couple of games in hand.
“The boys always want to test themselves against the best Academies and Charlton are probably one of the best academies in our league.
“When you play a team like Charlton, who have had five or six lads break through and one or two get moves to Premier League clubs, all I am looking at is if our best players are better than their best players.
“If they are, which they were last time, it is a good place to be.”