Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was disappointed his team could not deliver a West London derby win that a raucous Griffin Park crowd deserved.
The Bees exited the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Fulham last night.
Ross McCormack cored the only goal for Fulham, finishing off a smart move in the last quarter of the match.
Mark, speaking after the defeat, said Griffin Park was rocking and the players knew how much it meant to the fans.
He said there were lots of positives but Brentford did not test the Fulham goalkeeper enough to win the match.
“It was great to see the place rocking and we are disappointed we couldn’t deliver the result the fans deserved,” said the Brentford boss.
“We are more than aware of how much it means and how important it is.
“Some of the players got much needed pitch time in a quality environment; you can’t replicate that in training.
“I am delighted with that.
“Our back four were strong against a good quality forward line.
“There were positives but also negatives, we didn't test the keeper, didn’t force saves, had shots that didn’t hit the target.
“We need to be more clinical in the final third.
“We get in to great areas and don’t maximise it.
“I don’t think the fans can question the effort.
“The players are disappointed but they will learn from it.
“Players have to learn to win games but also how to lose and how to deal with it.”
Brentford started with Moses Odubajo at right back and Marcos Tébar behind a midfield of Stuart Dallas, Jon Toral, Jota and Tommy Smith.
“I thought Moses would work well on the right,” explained Mark.
“If Stuart is out there, he is clever enough to work inside and leave space on the outside.
“I was delighted with the pair of them.”
They faced a Fulham team that started the match with a diamond midfield.
Mark said that gave Brentford room to play.
“Fulham played a very narrow diamond,” he said.
“That gave us space for Jake Bidwell on the left and Stuart when he went out there.
“We had dominance of the ball in the first half.
“They looked to overload and split us.”
Mark said Brentford left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack on occasion.
“We want someone to sit as the pivot in midfield, be available for the ball and cover if the ball goes over the defence or down the flanks,” he said.
“If we vacate the key area in the middle of the park we are vulnerable to the counter attack.
“We allowed that area to be vacant four or five times in the early part of the second half.”
Mark reflected on Toral’s debut, Jota and Nick Proschwitz playing 75 minutes and Scott Hogan’s return from injury.
“Jon needed to play, he is getting used to the environment,” he said.
“He has lots to come, he will get better.
“Tonight was the most Jota has played, I’m delighted with that.
“Marcos Tébar played, Nick Proschwitz played 75 minutes.
“We didn’t plan to include Scott Hogan tonight but he trained so well yesterday.
“Tommy Smith put a shift in for us too.”
Mark said he had learned about his players in the loss.
He added the performance of Harlee Dean, who stepped in at central defence after Tony Craig was sent off against Birmingham City on Saturday, had given him a selection issue.
“We have learned what players can and can’t do, where they are,” said Mark.
“Jota has missed pre-season with a thigh injury.
“Harlee stepped in on Saturday and tonight and delivered strong performances.
“He has posed a problem.
“We learned a lot and if they recognise it we will be OK.”
Brentford’s next match is away to Rotherham United on Saturday.
“We can expect a very organised side, very disciplined,” said Mark.
“Rotherham will go at you from the first whistle and you have to deal with that.
“They have a feel-good factor; they got up through the Play-Offs and have had a good start.
“We have to recognise that and look to take the sting out of it.
“We have to impose our style on the game.”
On Monday the Club confirmed a bid for Adam Forshaw from Wigan Athletic had been accepted.
The value of the bid has not been disclosed but Mark said he was delighted with the agreed fee for Forshaw, named Sky Bet League One Player of the Year last season.
He added Club Owner Matthew Benham was also happy.
“If anyone thinks we would let the League One Player of the Year go for £2m-£3m they are mistaken,” said Mark.
“We held firm on our valuation.
“The Owner is happy, our valuation was met.
“We are delighted.”
Bees Player subscribers can see full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton here.