Emmanuel Oyeleke said he knew from the warm-up that Brentford’s Development Squad would play well against Millwall.
The Bees beat the South London side 2-0 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South match yesterday.
Emmanuel, better known as Manny, said Brentford dominated most of the game and had the upper hand in a well contested first half hour.
They went ahead when Will Grigg scored after a corner wasn’t properly cleared and Stuart Dallas sealed the win late on after Manny’s shot had been blocked.
Manny, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said Brentford had warmed-up well and he knew they would play to a high standard.
“I thought we were great today, in all areas of the game,” said the midfield player.
“We didn’t concede and we dominated the whole game.
“Maybe we could have scored more goals.
“In the first 30 minutes it was even but we edged it,
“After that, we dominated.
“As a player you know when you are playing well individually and collectively.
“From the start, from the warm-up, I felt we would play well.
“We were sharp in the warm-up and kept the ball well in the game.
“We worked hard to get it back when we lost it.
“I knew we would have a good game.”
Manny played in a central midfield three with Louis Hutton and Jake Reeves.
He said he knew how Jake Reeves would play as they have played together for years for The Bees, starting in the Youth Team, and Louis Hutton had shown how good he was since arriving earlier this month.
Manny said he enjoyed the match and had extra energy when Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza told him he would play here.
He said he liked playing in that three and that they played well together.
“The midfield was good,” said Manny.
“Playing in midfield gives me extra energy.
“As soon as Jon told me I was starting there, I was buzzing.
“Knowing I was playing with Louis and Jake gave me extra confidence.
“If you give them the ball they are confident with it and will give it back to you.
“I have known Jake for years and Louis is a really good player.
“I enjoyed today.
“I know how Jake plays, he knows how I play.
“Playing with someone all the way up, that helps.
“We had three versatile midfield players today, we can all interchange.
“We just have to sense the danger.
“We complement each other.”
It was an experienced Brentford team that Manny was part of.
The line-up included Club Captain Kevin O’Connor as well as James Tarkowski, Nico Yennaris, Will Grigg, Stuart Dallas and Jake Reeves, all of whom had been in the squad for the Sky Bet League One match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Manny had special praise for Kevin O’Connor but said all First Team players do their jobs properly when playing at Under-21 level.
“Kevin O’Connor is a great example to all of us,” he said.
“Every training session and match he is the same.
“I have never seen him slack on a pass and if he accidentally does something wrong he is hard on himself.
“Him putting everything in at every level is a given.
“I was impressed with James Tarkowski; I played with Nico when he was young.
“I am not surprised with how they played, it is what I expected.”
Manny set up the second goal.
Taking a throw in, he turned and fired in a shot that was blocked, Stuart Dallas arrived to slot it home.
Manny said he was pleased Brentford got the second goal and wasn’t worried that he didn’t score.
“I was disappointed that my shot was saved but I was happy that we scored another goal,” he said.
“I am not worried that it was Stuart and not me.
“I don’t think 1-0 reflected how dominant we were.
“Getting it to 2-0 helped us.
“We were comfortable through the game.
“They were strong on the counter attack but our back four did well.
“I was never worried about them scoring.”
Manny has been back at Brentford for around a month after completing a loan spell at Aldershot Town.
“It is good to be back,” he said.
“There have been changes but things have progressed.
“I am happy and pleased to be playing games every week in the Development Squad.
“It is about improving from here.”
Emmanuel Oyeleke’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.