Brentford Manager Mark Warburton hailed the way his players came from a goal down to earn a point in their Sky Bet Championship season opener against Charlton Athletic.
But he admitted The Bees had not played to their strengths and had lots to learn.
Brentford drew 1-1 with Charlton at Griffin Park yesterday.
Igor Vetokele headed in a corner to put the visitors in front just past the hour mark.
But Tommy Smith fired home with five minutes remaining to earn Brentford a draw.
Mark, speaking after the match, said the players wanted to put on a show for a large crowd and were disappointed they had not reached the heights they are capable of.
“I am pleased the players showed character to come back from 1-0 down and get a point,” said the Brentford boss.
“But, the players were disappointed that we did not play as well as we can play.
“We didn’t play to our strengths.
“We have to learn from that and moved forward.
“It was a packed Griffin Park on the first day of the season.
“The players were keen to do well; they wanted to put on a show for the fans.
“In the first 15 minutes they were really bright but we lose our way, forced passes, didn’t take care of ball and didn’t penetrate in key areas.
“We look to play centrally and be clever off that; we didn’t really do that today.
“We forced too many long balls and played in to Charlton’s hands in terms of physicality.
“We will learn from it.”
Charlton had a golden chance to make it two with ten minutes remaining when, after David Button had been left stranded by an under hit back pass, Callum Harriott hit the crossbar with the goal gaping.
Five minutes later Brentford equalised and Mark said the missed chance made a difference mentally.
“They should have been two up, it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“We had chances in the first half but they missed a simple one.
“Once it didn’t go in we got a fresh pair of legs.
“We got the goal, I was delighted for Tommy to come on and make that impression.
“He has shown Griffin Park what he can do.
“We have Tony Craig, Jonathan Douglas, Alan McCormack but we need more experience.
“We have talented players but they are young.”
Mark said Brentford’s players had to relish playing in front of Championship crowds.
He said Brentford fans will play a vital role this season and it was up to the players to keep them coming back.
“You have to relish it,” said Mark, discussing the Griffin Park atmosphere.
“We want days like this at Griffin Park; we want to give the supporters something to shout about this season.
“Their support will be vital for us.
“We played some good stuff in pre-season; the supporters know what we can do.
“I don’t want people to leave disappointed because we haven’t played as well as we can.
“We need to keep the fans coming back, that is our responsibility.”
Adam Forshaw was not involved in the match.
The midfielder – 2014 Sky Bet League One Player of the Year – has been linked with a move away from Griffin Park but Mark said Brentford’s valuation had not been met.
“Nothing has changed with Adam,” said Mark.
“I am being asked questions and I answer them.
“We have a value on the League One Player of the Year.
“Britt Assombalonga went from Peterborough United to Nottingham Forest for a fee of £5.5m, I understand, rising to £8m+.
“There is a premium on strikers but he wasn’t League One Player of the Year last year.
“That should give an idea of the value of Adam Forshaw.
“If someone wants to buy Adam Forshaw we have made the price clear.
“It is nothing to do with a sell-on clause; it is about the value for the player.
“If a club meets it, all well and good, if not Adam is our player for the next two years.
“There is some thinking to do and we will meet Adam early next week.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a post-match interview with Mark Warburton here.