Brentford Manager Mark Warburton blamed “basic errors” for his team’s Boxing Day defeat to Ipswich Town.
The Bees were beaten 4-2 by the high-flying Suffolk side at Griffin Park yesterday after falling 3-0 behind inside 30 minutes.
They conceded just 19 seconds in to the match when a David Button kick was picked up in midfield, the excellent Teddy Bishop moved the ball on and Daryl Murphy scored.
A long ball forward set Murphy away to beat Tony Craig, round Button and score the second before Jay Tabb picked up a Harlee Dean header to cross for Paul Anderson to score the third.
Sam Saunders reduced the arrears but Tommy Smith made it four for Ipswich within moments.
Another Saunders goal was mere consolation.
Mark admitted his team had an “off day” but said it was the goals they gave away that cost them.
“We made some basic errors, you can’t give goals away of that nature,” said the Brentford boss.
“The three goals aside they didn’t pose us too many problems in the first half.
“It was a good game, what we expected, and David Button has not made too many saves over the 90 minutes but we conceded four goals.
“We made four mistakes and at this level you get punished.
“We had an off day and made mistakes, we made it hard for ourselves from minute one.
“Ipswich came and pressed to stop us getting started.
“We had to be brave and play through the press, which we did many times.
“But you can’t give away goals of that nature at this level and expect to get rewards.
“At half time we talked about coming out and getting an early goal.
“Even at 3-1, with 20 minutes to go, we were back in it but gave away a fourth goal.
“We didn’t win the first ball, didn’t win the tackle and their guy had a shot from 15 yards.
“That can’t happen and it kills the game off.
“They knew it.”
Mark outlined where he felt Brentford had made their errors.
“We are prepared to make mistakes to play, I don’t mind that,” he explained.
“For the first goal the players were set for David to play it to Tony Craig, he kicked it and we were out of position.
“The second came from a long clearance, we were left one-on-one and got beaten.
“The third was a loose header out wide right which could be better.
“We didn’t get first contact in the middle.
“We were three down at half time and I can’t think of another save David has made in the first half.
“Second half we got the goal and were back in the game but gave away the fourth.
“We must learn.”
Mark said Ipswich came to Griffin Park to stop his team playing.
He said The Bees were able to move the ball but could perhaps have done it quicker and he added they did not force too many saves from Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
“Ipswich’s intention was clear from the first second – to press and stop us getting started,” said Mark.
“When we get started we are a good team.
“We maybe could have moved the ball with more purpose but we got on the ball, broke the press and got out.
“We had some good passages but never tested the keeper as we would like.”
Brentford started the day third in the Sky Bet Championship, a point and a place behind Ipswich, who moved to the top of the table after the win before AFC Bournemouth reclaimed the lead in the division with a win over Fulham.
The Bees remain fifth at the midway point of the season and have their next game just 48 hours after the Ipswich loss, away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“We are very disappointed to have 40 points from 23 games,” said Mark.
“That is testament to their character, effort, work rate and quality.
“We know we have given points away.
“Today was a big game, a packed Griffin Park; they want to put on a show.
“The winner goes top for two hours.
“Today we are very disappointed.
“The beauty is that Wolves is two days away.
“We will prepare for that and be ready.”
Brentford’s two goals were the first at Championship level for Saunders, making just his second appearance of the season after missing much of 2014 with a knee injury.
“Sam has done great,” said Mark.
“He has been pushing for a place and, along with many players, been frustrated.
“Sam has worked hard and he made a difference for us today.”
Full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.