Jon De Souza said he won’t be pleased with his side’s performances until they can marry up a good display with a win.
Brentford’s Development Squad made it five games without a win on Monday in following a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City as Wast Hills.
The Bees dominated the game and created a number of chances to go ahead before a slip allowed the hosts to take the lead through Luke Armstrong on the half hour.
Tommy Smith levelled things for Jon’s side just after the break with a close range finish and that was how it ended.
Speaking to Bees Player after the game Jon said he was encouraged by his side’s performance.
However he refused to be pleased with things as The Bees had only left with one point and not the three he felt they deserved.
“Similarly to last week I wouldn’t say it was positive because to be positive you have to have a good performance and win the game,” said Jon.
“I thought we dominated in the first-half and created chances and a lack of care cost us.
“Bradley Clayton had a chance.
“Jermaine Udamaga got in behind but unfortunately his touch let him down.
“Tyrell Miller-Rodney was clean through and we had a shout for a penalty that the referee has apologised to us for.
“I am pleased but we had to be clinical and take our chances because the players deserved to be in front at half-time
“Second half was a little bit more even although I would argue that perhaps we shaded it overall.
“In the first half we kept the ball really well but weren’t enough of a threat in the final third.
“In the second half it was the opposite.
“We were a bit more of a threat with forward runs and forward play but I think we forced it and didn’t dominate possession.
“Really we want to combine both first half and second half for an ideal performance.
“We should have won the game and we haven’t.
“I said to the players yesterday and I said to the players again after the game that the best players take their chances and are very hard to score against.
“Unfortunately we gave away a silly goal and didn’t take chances.
“The game could have been over at half time but then all of a sudden in the last 20 minutes they had a few chances and the game could have been open.
“If we had taken our chances when we were dominating the game their chances at the end would have been irrelevant.
“I would love to say I was pleased with the defending because for 70 minutes Mark Smith hasn’t really had a save to make.
“However we conceded a goal.
“When you defend like that you have to get your reward by not conceding.
“You look at how often they got in the box and how often they tested Mark I think it was minimal but we’ve conceded.”
Having been in control of the game for the opening half-hour against a Birmingham City side content to let Brentford dominate possession The Bees gifted the hosts the opening goal.
Nico Yennaris’ square ball to Jack Warbuton was intercepted and Scotland international Andrew Shinnie drove at the heart of the defence before squaring for Armstrong to tap home.
For Jon those momentary lapses of concentration are something the players need to get out of their system when they step up to the first-team.
“I thought we dominated the first half and then that one pass, with a lack of care, leaves us open and a goal behind,” said Jon.
“Fair play to the character of the players though because recently we have conceded a lot of goals in quick succession but today we didn’t.
“We got ourselves back into the game and it looked like, potentially, we might win it.
“There were two different philosophies today.
“They dropped off and wanted to counter-attack us and waited for a mistake.
“Fair play to them as they nicked it and then went and scored but, saying that, our players have to learn that we need to deliver our philosophy against different philosophies to get results.”
Next up for the Development Squad is a trip to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace next Tuesday night.
Last year’s trip to South London ended in a 6-0 reversal for The Bees with Dwight Gayle, Palace’s record signing, scoring five of those.
Jon is expecting a tough test against The Eagles especially with first-team Premier League players expected to feature.
For Jon playing against Premier League stars is a great learning curve for his players and one they should be looking forward to.
“Crystal Palace will be athletic,” said Jon.
“They have big, strong and powerful players.
“They are very bright in and around the final third.
“It will be a different type of test and one that we will have to pass.
“Today they had three or four who had been involved with the first-team but that is the nature of the Under-21 league.
“For me that is what you want.
“We want our players to go and test themselves against players who have played in the Premier League.”
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