Brentford’s Development Squad did not play well enough to take anything from their game against Charlton Athletic last week, according to boss Lee Carsley.
The Bees ended their Under-21 Professional Development League Two season with a 3-2 defeat to Charlton on Friday, April 17.
They fell behind early on but turned it round to lead after half time thanks to goals from Kyjuon Marsh-Brown and Tyrell Miller-Rodney.
But Charlton levelled from kick-off and then won the game late on.
Development Squad Manager Lee, speaking to Bees Player, said the result was probably a fair one.
He said his team conceded poor goals and defended badly.
“It was probably a fair result,” said Lee.
“We were poor in the first half, we weren’t really at the races.
“It was disappointing.
“We were better second half but the goals we conceded weren’t great.
“We are the top goal scorers in the league but top at conceding goals.
“That tells you something.
“I am not sure we did enough to get anything out of the game because we defended poorly.
“The goals were comical, two of the three were from basic errors from players you would expect better from.”
Arguably the game’s key moment was Charlton’s second goal.
Brentford had just gone ahead through Miller-Rodney and the game was halted for a few moments due to an injury.
The ball was played back from kick-off by Charlton and then lumped forward by Josh Staunton, Brentford allowed it to bounce and Karlan Ahearne-Grant nipped in behind to lift it over Mark Smith and level it up.
“It is not about criticising players or individuals,” said Lee.
“Ultimately they have to make mistakes at this level, that is what they are there to do.
“It is important they learn from them.
“On the whole, they have.
“We had just taken the lead, there was a break and you think concentration levels would be better, but it is what it is.
“Ultimately we look at results but the way we play, performances and whether the players are getting better, is what we look at.
“We had two or three good performances today but not enough from some we expect more from them.”
Brentford had a very young team out.
First Year scholars Jeremiah Kamanzi joined Marsh-Brown on the right side while Under-18 players Gradi Milenge, Tom Field, James Ferry and Zain Westbrooke started.
Under-16 midfield player Giovanni McGregor then came on as a substitute.
“We learned that the young players can handle the level,” said Lee.
“We took a bit of time getting in to the game.
“It is difficult when you player young players out of position but I have no qualms with the way they played and they will be OK next season.
“I don’t look at age, it is a cliché but if they are good enough they are young enough.
“I was at Everton when Wayne Rooney burst on to the scene and no-one was worried about his age.
“That is what I am looking at now.
“We played a 15-year-old the other day, we need to test these lads.
“Some are put in to toughen them up but on the whole it has worked quite well.
“You can’t look too much at results.
“Everyone wants to win, the players want to win and are upset because they have lost but I not trying to produce a team, I am trying to produce individuals to play in a team.”
Brentford were without Jermaine Udumaga as he has been with the First Team in the past weeks.
He was an unused substitute in the recent Sky Bet Championship matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers.
“It is a massive positive,” said Lee.
“It lifts the other players initially and then there is a disappointment it is not them.
“Since I came here Jermaine has been outstanding.
“It is nothing to do with me, just timing.
“His goal scoring and assists and the way he has led by example has been really good for the others to see.
“It is a major positive when a lad goes through.”
Lee said it would probably be Brentford’s last game of the season.
Brentford’s Youth Team are involved in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two Play-Offs and Lee said there would be little gained from additional matches.
The former Republic of Ireland international has been at Brentford since October and said his team had been “OK” this season.
He said there were a group of young players who could make progress in to the First Team over the next few years.
“The Under-18s have the Play-Offs and it is only right the lads need to enjoy the last few games in the Youth Team,” said Lee.
“It would leave us quite short without them.
“We have players on loan and others that won’t be here next season, I don’t know what benefit we’d get from more friendlies.
“We have done OK this season.
“I hate saying that as OK is not good enough.
“We have a lot to do but we have time to do it.
“We are creating a pathway and getting players in to the First Team.
“Hopefully we have four or five who will play a big role in the First Team in the next two or three years.”
A full post-match interview with Lee Carsley is available here for Bees Player subscribers.