Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was “very pleased” with his team’s performance in their 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic yesterday but perhaps slightly disappointed not to have got all three points.
The Bees drew the Sky Bet Championship game at the DW Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Mark, speaking after the match, said his team dominated the first half and were disappointed not to be ahead at the break.
He said he expected Wigan boss Uwe Rösler to send his team out to attack after the break but Brentford weathered the storm.
Mark admitted his side could have kept the ball better after the break but said it was a sign of the progress made that Brentford could go to Wigan – FA Cup winners in 2013 and with years of recent Premier League experience – draw and be disappointed.
“I am very pleased,” he said.
“I thought we were the dominant team in the first half and were disappointed not to go in with an advantage at half time.
“We looked after the ball well and looked like the home team in the first half.
“We knew Uwe would rally his troops and they came out hard.
“I am delighted we weathered the storm.
“Maybe we could have taken care of the ball more in the second half and been ten yards higher.
“But we are disappointed as a group not to take all three points.
“That shows how far we have come.
“There was tremendous work rate, tremendous application and to come to here and be disappointed not to win, shows where we are.”
Wigan started with a 4-3-3 system and switched to 4-4-2 later in the match.
Mark said his side dealt with it and added he introduced Toumani Diagouraga in the second half to ensure Brentford kept the ball netter.
“We weren’t sure what they would start with, they have lots of options,” he said.
“We thought they would start 4-3-3, which they did.
“We were very good in the first half.
“They went to 4-4-2 with two down the middle and we could deal with that.
“We needed to take care of the ball, Toumani came on and did that.”
Mark said his defence took pride in the clean sheet.
“We are in there disappointed not to get three points,” he said.
“The players work hard but it is not just about passion and energy, it is about quality.
“We have some outstanding players, who apply themselves.
“Defenders take pride in clean sheets.
“David Button was outstanding in goal and the whole defence, with Jonathan Douglas sitting in front, take pride in the same way attackers and midfield players do with goals and assists.”
Mark, in summary, added: “We dominated play in the first half.
“We looked confident but lacked the final clinical edge, and maybe a little bit of self-belief in front of goal.
“In general it was a very pleasing performance.”
Around 1,150 Brentford fans made the trip to the DW Stadium.
“We had fantastic support today,” said Mark.
“To come here, with that number of fans, being so vocal, it was like we had the home support today.
“The players are aware and we use it in our pre-match talk.
“We know how much goes in to the fans travelling, how much it costs them.
“Hopefully they get value for money.”
Full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.