Brentford Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley praised his players for an “outstanding” performance as they beat Crystal Place earlier this week.
The Bees won the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South encounter 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon with striker Keshi Anderson coming off the substitute’s bench to score a hat-trick.
Brentford had been beaten in their last two games – including a 5-2 loss to Bristol City earlier this month in their previous match – but dominated against Palace.
It took until the 83rd minutes to make the breakthrough but Anderson added two more in quick succession to that opener.
Lee said the game was like a First Team match with the way Brentford played and Palace’s intention to sit off and allow The Bees to come on to them.
And he added the players would be given credit by the First Team staff for the performance they delivered.
“It was important to win,” said Lee, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We had a break over Christmas and were disappointed after the last match.
“I don’t think as a team and as individuals we did ourselves any favours there.
“From start to finish today the players were outstanding.
“The work ethic on and off the ball and the intensity they played at was great.
“They had enthusiasm and looked like they enjoyed the game.
“It always helps when you win.
“Under-21 football gets criticised for its lack of realism and not being close to the First Team.
“I think that was like a First Team performance in the way we pressed the ball, tried to play, pass it.
“We played through them and a lot of the players will get credit for that.”
Brentford dominated without making the breakthrough.
They used Jermaine Udumaga as a striker until Anderson came on in the second half.
Lee said Udumaga did a very good job but having a recognised forward on the pitch made a difference.
“We played Jermaine as a striker, he is an attacking midfield player,” explained Lee.
“A lot of our problems this year have come from not having a recognised Development Squad striker.
“Betinho has come in and out and we haven’t had a player to run in behind with pace.
“The big difference was when we had pace up front; we looked more of a threat.”
Lee said The Bees would be monitoring Anderson.
“Keshi came in at the start of the week,” he said.
“It is sometimes difficult to judge a player in training.
“We could see he is technically not up to the standard of other players but goal scoring wise he is very good and very sharp.
“He has done himself favours today and he is someone we will keep an eye on.”
Udumaga was one of a few players that played in roles different to ones they have been seen in before against Palace.
Josh Clarke, who has made his name as a winger, was at right back while defender Raphaël Calvet was in midfield along with Nico Yennaris, whose First Team games have come at full back.
Lee said he had seen Yennaris play in midfield for Arsenal and Calvet was good enough to play in a defensive midfield role.
He added Clarke had more time as a full back and could do the attacking job now required by that position.
“If a player comes to me and said they can only play one position, they will probably spend a lot of time watching the game,” said Lee.
“You need to be more flexible.
“It is important to have variety.
“The more positions you can play the more chance you have of getting in to the team.”
Lee has been at Brentford for three months.
His first match was a defeat at Palace in the reverse fixture.
“My first game was away at Palace, we passed the ball quite well but were easily beaten,” said Lee.
“They let us have it then at the back and pressed us quite well.
“It was similar, the intensity was better from them around the middle of the pitch.
“Our passing and pace of passing was good.
“We passed it through them comfortably.”
Lee said First Team players Yennaris, Sam Saunders and Tony Craig were a factor in Brentford’s win but others in the Under-21 group had progressed.
“Having Tony Craig at the back was a massive help,” he said.
“Nico always does well for us and Sam’s quality speaks for itself.
“The quality around them has improved.
“They are still our best players but didn’t stand out because the quality of the group is getting better.
“Josh Laurent has come in from QPR, Jermaine is getting better, as is Aaron Greene, and it was Daniel O’Shaughnessy’s best game, playing alongside Tony.”
The game also saw Brentford’s Development Squad keep a clean sheet for the first time in 2014/15.
“I have been speaking about clean sheets,” said Lee.
“I don’t like to see players getting beaten easily.
“The First Team don’t do it and we have to be at a level where someone going past you is taken personally.
“Players need to have pride in their performance and they did that today.”
A full post-match video interview with Lee Carsley is available here for Bees Player subscribers.