Midfield player Emmanuel Oyeleke said Brentford’s Development Squad “should have won” their Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game against Swansea City.
The Bees drew 0-0 with the Premier League side in the match at their Jersey Road Training Ground yesterday afternoon.
Emmanuel, better known as Manny, spoke to Bees Player after the game and said Brentford had the chances to win the match.
He admitted the second half performance was better than the first and The Bees should have converted one of their chances.
“It was a good game,” said Manny.
“I think we should have won.
“We had a lot of chances.
“We dominated large parts of the game.
“Their legs got tired halfway through the second half; we had chances but couldn’t get the goal.
“We know the standard we can reach and we know Swansea are a good team, they aren’t in the Premier League for nothing.
“We weren’t as pleased with the first half performance as the second.
“We were pleased with the second half.
“We are massively disappointed not to turn the possession in to goals.
“Overall we should have converted at least one chance.”
The match was played on a very wet pitch, due to the rain in West London in recent days.
The playing surface was heavy and started to cut up.
Manny said it was difficult, especially as both teams like to pass the ball, but players had to get on with it.
“The pitch didn’t help us,” he said.
“It was hard to play on, very boggy.
“It got worse as the game wore on and legs got tired.
“But it was the same for both teams.
“Both teams like to pass it.
“You have to manage the conditions.”
Manny started the game at right back but moved in to midfield when striker Anderson Banvo, a trialist, limped off.
He said he preferred playing in the middle, as he could influence the game more.
Manny played an hour for Aldershot Town in a Skrill Premier game on Tuesday night but said he was fine to play twice in two days.
“I prefer playing in central midfield and feel most comfortable there,” he said.
“I was happy with how I played in both positions but you are restricted to the right side when you play right back.
“It was demanding for me after Tuesday but it is not the first time I have played two games in two days.
“It is not alien to me.
“I was tired towards the end but I love playing football so it’s not a problem.”
Many has spent all of the 2013/14 season on loan at Aldershot but returned to Brentford earlier this week when the deal expired.
He admitted he would have liked to have stayed there longer and would be happy to go out on loan again.
Manny said the move helped him improve.
“I would have liked to have stayed at Aldershot longer,” he said.
“First Team football is very different to Under-21 football.
“We will see how it goes.
“I will try to get out on loan again but we will see what happens.
“Once you get a taste of First Team football it is hard to go back and play reserve football, no matter how good it is.
“There is always a difference.
“The game means something; there is an atmosphere, fans in the stadium.
“There are factors that make it a First Team game.
“It developed me a lot physically and mentally.
“For my development it would be best to go back out on loan.”
Manny joined Aldershot before the start of the season.
The Shots started on -10 points due to financial issues but have climbed out of the relegation zone.
Manny made 33 appearances for Aldershot, playing in both midfield and at right back, and scored four goals.
“It was a great experience,” he said.
“I had a lot of great people around me, people with experience, players that have played in The Championship.
“I played pretty much every game.
“I was happy with how I played and how it was.
“We started on -10 points and are now out of the relegation zone.
“The boys are trying to get up the table and play in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, I hope they can.
“I was happy with the loan, enjoyed every minute of it.
“It was top notch as far as I was concerned.
“When I got there Aldershot were lucky to still be a team.
“We played with freedom; there was a lot less pressure.
“There was a lot of togetherness.
“We tried to hit zero and built from there.
“Aldershot don’t have the facilities or the man power of Brentford but the players have been at higher levels, or want to get there.
“The professionalism of the players is not too different from Brentford.
“You have to be more independent, buying your own lunch, but Aldershot are a Football League side and want to get back there.”
When Manny was away Mark Warburton took over as Brentford Manager.
Manny said he hoped he could sit down with the Brentford boss and discuss his future.
“You improve by having fans around you,” said Manny.
“Getting stick from away fans is all part of the game.
“You don’t get that in reserve football.
“Loan football is good for the development.
“The more games you play the better you get.
“You come back to Brentford a better player.
“I hope I can sit down with Mark Warburton and discuss my future.
“I know Mark from his role here before, he was a great man and Brentford are top of the league.
“I want to see what he thinks and what the future holds.”
A full video interview with Emmanuel Oyeleke is available here for Bees Player subscribers.