Brentford Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley said his side would learn a lot from their defeat to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.
The Bees were beaten 3-1 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South match at Selhurst Park.
They trailed 2-0 at half time and Lee, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said his team looked anxious in the opening 45, unable to play in the way he knows they can.
The Bees were much better after the restart and pulled a goal back through Louis Hutton.
Brentford had the momentum and looked likely to get something but Palace scored a third to seal the win.
“In the first half we looked a little anxious on the ball,” said Lee.
“We were nervous and it was uncharacteristic in terms of the way I have seen the players pass it in training, they couldn’t replicate that in the first half.
“We were a lot better in the second half; we played with more confidence and belief.
“It was the first time a lot of them had played here.
“Palace are a Premier League side and the players might have built the game up too much in their minds.
“That is all experience for them.
“The three goals were from three mistakes but it is preferable to making them in the First Team.
“It is all a learning experience.”
Lee said he didn’t do a lot at half time except ask his side to play with more purpose and belief.
He said The Bees just played better.
“I didn’t say a lot at half time,” said Lee.
“I asked them to play with more belief and pass to each other.
“I wanted more purpose and belief.
“That is what they did, it was a lot better.
“There wasn’t a master plan.
“The rotation in midfield was good, we got the full backs on the ball.
“We worked a lot better in the second half.”
Lee said Palace’s goals came from Brentford mistakes.
The first came when The Bees conceded posession in an attacking area, Palace broke quickly and right back Mandela Egbo squared for Kyle De Silva to turn and poke home.
The second came late in the first half from a free kick.
Daniel O’Shaughnessy gave the ball to Dwight Gayle in a dangerous area and Raphaël Calvet brought down the Palace attacker, Sullay Kaikai stepped up to curl a free kick over the defensive wall, past Jack Bonham and in to the net.
Brentford have won just one of eight Professional Development League matches this term and Lee said he wanted to see his side scrap for results when they are below their best.
“At 2-0 down the goals had come from our mistakes,” said Lee.
“We had good posession, gave the ball away and were punished.
“I am disappointed in that respect.
“We don’t have a great record in terms of results.
“It is not all about results but I want to get the players used to scrapping and getting results when they aren’t playing well.
“It is part of the experience.
“Palace have some good players and attacking flair, they are a Premier League team.”
The game was Lee’s first as Brentford Development Squad Manager.
He joined The Bees last week and admitted he was still getting to know the players.
An additional friendly has been arranged against Vanarama Conference South side Maidenhead United next week, which Lee said will help him with the group.
“I enjoyed the game,” said Lee.
“I have only done two sessions so far and look forward to working with them.
“I have enjoyed my time so far.
“I am getting the grips with the lads’ names and personalities.
“I don’t enjoy losing but there are a lot of plusses and I feel I have more knowledge about the players having seen them play.
“We have a friendly against Maidenhead on Tuesday.
“We will play their First Team, there will be fans there and it will be another good experience.
“I want the players to increase the tempo they play at, handle the pressure when they pass the ball and receive it.
“Maidenhead will give us a good test before we play in the league again.”
A full post-match interview with Lee Carsley can be seen on Bees Player here.