Josh Laurent said Brentford’s Development Squad produced a “top drawer” performance in their win over Barnsley this week.
The Bees beat the Yorkshire side 7-2 in their Under-21 Professional Development League Two game on Monday, March 16, with Josh getting two of the goals.
Brentford had been pegged back to 2-1 after taking a two goal lead when Josh grabbed his first and they went in at half time 3-2 up after conceding again.
But The Bees took complete control after the break and scored four more without reply.
Josh admitted there were some defensive errors but said they dominated the game and could have had a bigger margin of victory.
“I think we were top drawer,” said the midfield player.
“We dominated from start to finish.
“We passed it really well, moved really well and created chances.
“We could have scored seven in the first half.
“There were some sloppy mistakes at the back.
“We could have scored more than we did.”
Brentford had drawn their last two games, both against Millwall, despite leading in both.
Last week, at The Den, The Bees were 2-0 up in the first half but were pegged back quickly and conceded an equaliser after the break.
Josh said Brentford wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again.
“We learnt from the mistakes we made last week,” he said.
“We scored two goals early then conceded one like we did last week.
“We scored again but conceded again.
“We said at half time we couldn’t let it happen again, we didn’t want to let them back in to it and end up 3-3, we wouldn’t have deserved that, we deserved to win.
“We made sure we were switched on.”
Josh said the key difference was being clinical in front of goal.
“In the last few games we have dominated, created chances and not been clinical in the final third,” he said.
“This time we wanted to be ruthless in front of goal.
“That was the key.
“We wanted to stay switched on at the back but be ruthless and shut the game down.”
Josh’s first goal came when he picked up a loose pass and lobbed the stranded Barnsley goalkeeper.
He got his second following up after a Bradley Clayton shot had been saved.
That took his tally to four for the season in just eight games since joining from Queens Park Rangers in January.
He said he wanted to score more goals after not finding the net often in recent seasons.
“For the first one I closed the defender down,” said Josh, talking to Bees Player about his goals.
“He didn’t see me and when I got the ball the keeper was out of position.
“For the second one I wanted to get in to the box.
“That is where most of the goals are scored.
“Luckily the ball just dropped to me.
“I haven’t scored a lot of goals in the last few seasons.
“I wanted to start this season.
“I scored a couple for QPR and I wanted to score more when I came here, luckily I have been.”
Josh said goals would help him get noticed and improve his chance of a First Team call-up.
He said Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley had spoken to him and fellow midfield player Jermaine Udumaga about making things happen in the opposition penalty area.
“Lee always talks about creating and scoring goals,” said Josh.
“That is what matters in games, hurting teams, and that is the way to get in to the First Team.
“He talks to me and Jermaine about getting forward and scoring goals.
“If there are times when the First Team are looking for goals – they aren’t at the moment – then the manager might look to younger players that are creating and scoring.
“That might get us in the team.”
In the eight games Josh has played for The Bees they have won five and lost just one.
Brentford have five Under-21 league games left, three of them in the next ten games with matches against Cardiff City on Friday, March 20, and Leeds United on Monday, March 23.
“Everyone is buzzing at the moment,” said Josh.
“We are going in to games knowing we won’t lose.
“We are more than capable of winning games.
“If we had started this earlier we’d be higher in the league.
“When the games come thick and fast it comes naturally.
“I am sure we will be on it again on Friday and then on Monday.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a post-match video interview with Josh Laurent here.