Jon De Souza said he was pleased with the majority of Brentford’s Development Squad win against Barnet yesterday but added there was plenty still to work on.
The Bees beat the npower League Two side 3-2 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South clash.
Brentford went 3-0 up just after half time as Antonio German, Luke Norris and Charlie Adams scored but Barnet scored two late goals.
Development Squad Manager Jon said he saw a reaction from his players after they were beaten 5-1 by Charlton Athletic last week but was disappointed with the end of the game.
“I saw a reaction from last week,” he told Bees Player after the final whistle.
“I saw it in training and I saw it in the first 50 minutes here.
“After that, it was possibly as bad as last week.
“I was really disappointed with the way we finished the game.
“We started it quite well and I was pleased with that.
“We didn’t kill the game well enough because we didn’t keep the ball well enough.
“I have just told the players I am worried about it.
“In a lot of games this year we have gone ahead, and done brilliantly to do so, but have been under the cosh at the end.
“We were 3-0 up with half an hour to go but it ends up 3-2 and we have a hard last five or six minutes.
“I was relatively pleased with the first hour.
“I still think we need to show more quality in possession but the attitude, application and work rate was very good.”
Barnet included ten players that have featured for their First Team this season while Brentford had only Richard Lee, Antonio German and Luke Norris in their ranks who have played in the Football League.
The North London side put themselves about, picking up two bookings, but Jon said he was pleased with the test.
“It’s good that is was physical, that is what we want,” he said.
“As I have said, some games – mainly last year – were ‘we pass, you pass’.
“That’s great for technical development but they need a physical test.
“That is what First Team football is like.
“We didn’t stand up to it in the last 20 minutes.
“Barnet looked stronger and that they would get something out of the game even at 3-0 down.
“That shouldn’t happen.
“You shouldn’t let a team back in.”
Brentford’s first goal came when Antonio German picked up a Sam Beale throw, turned and scored.
Luke Norris got the second from a Josh Clarke cross and Charlie Adams scored the third from 20 yards after a corner had been cleared back to him.
Jon discussed the goal scorers in depth after the match.
“We scored three different goals but three good goals,” he said.
“Antonio and Luke took their goals well and we have been working on Charlie’s finishing.
“Sometimes when Charlie plays out wide, he has a lot of space.
“When you play centrally, you get it in tight areas.
“When we can get him on the ball in the right areas I think he affects games and can be a real threat.
“Last year, Charlie played Under-18s football and, I don’t think he’ll mind me saying, struggled a bit at Development Squad level.
“This year he is starting to impose himself in Development Squad football.
“Step-by-step, we are hoping to get him to a position to affect First Team games.
“The goal records of Luke and Antonio this year have been very good.
“I have been really pleased.
“They are always a threat, always likely to score.”
Antonio German came back in to the Development Squad line-up after a spell away with the First Team.
He scored a vital equalising goal in an npower League One game away at Preston North End and Jon said the striker making an impact helped everyone.
He pointed out George Pilbeam and Michael Onovwigun, two scholars, ended the game while 15-year-old Audrius Laucys played 90 minutes.
The Bees have now won six of their ten games in the Professional Development League and are competing at the top of the table with clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City, Charlton Athletic and Brighton and Hove Albion.
“Antonio going away and scoring for the First Team showed the lads their own team mates can get in to the First Team and do well,” said Jon.
“It was great for them.
“It’s a great feeling for him too.
“Antonio is a confident lad but he has an extra buzz about him.
“The aims of the players in this team should be to do well and win, which always gives you a buzz, and then to get in to the First Team.
“The top teams in this league are very good – Premier League teams like QPR or Swansea or top academies like Charlton and Brighton.
“For us to be competing is very good.
“We finished with two First Year Scholars on the pitch and Audrius Laucys, an Under-16, started the game.
“A 15 year old started this game.
“That’s what we want to do.”
A full video with Jon De Souza interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.