Nico Yennaris admits that even he is surprised by his sudden goalscoring form as he notched his second Brentford goal in two matches during Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Griffin Park. The 22-year-old midfielder took more than two years to score his first Brentford goal but it took him just four days to score his second as he converted Ryan Woods mis-hit shot to give The Bees the lead against Wanderers. Lasse Vibe added two more goals before the break as Brentford cruised to a 3-0 lead at the interval. Zach Clough pulled one back from the spot late on but that wasn’t enough to take the edge off Nico’s delight at his goal and the three points.
“I am probably as surprised as everybody else but it is nice to add some goals to my game,” said Nico, speaking to Bees Player after the match. “First and foremost it is about the win but I am delighted to score again. When we have so many players who can play the anchor role in front of the back four it gives me more of a license to get forward and support the front players. I am able to do it and I have got the legs to get there and back so when I can I try to join in and make the box.”
Wanderers, whose relegation to Sky Bet League One will be confirmed on Saturday if they fail to beat Derby County, were never at the races in the first-half but improved after the break. Nico admitted that the players took their foot off the gas a bit in the second-half but added that the important thing was to get the three points.
“The game was done in the first-half but we got a bit complacent and sloppy in the second-half,” said Nico. “We probably took our foot off the gas but we still managed to get the win. We know that the standard and the intensity dropped a bit from the first-half but we got the win which is the main thing. The team was always going to have a reaction being 3-0 down at half-time so we had to stay focussed and make sure that we do the right things on the pitch.”
Nico has started the last nine matches for The Bees at both right back and latterly in the centre of midfield. The former Arsenal youngster does feel he is more suited to a central role and thinks that this extended spell in the side is helping to bring the best out of him.
“I take each game as it is and try to be the best that I can be each game,” said Nico. “Hopefully I am doing enough to show everybody that midfield is my more natural position and that I can play in that position. Like any player a good run of games starts to bring out the best in you. With a few injuries it has given me a chance to get some consistent games in the midfield and hopefully I can keep improving and keep playing well.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Nico below