Brentford Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza said his side suffered a 4-1 loss to Sheffield United in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two match on Monday because they did not react to situations that went against them.
The Bees were beaten in Yorkshire on Monday afternoon despite a Josh Clarke goal.
The home side went ahead in the first half when Ben Whiteman scored direct from a corner but Clarke equalised after half time.
The Bees looked to have the initiative but Diego De Girolamo scored a hat-trick to win the game.
His second goal came just after Brentford had a penalty appeal turned down and his third when Jermaine Udumaga was fouled in midfield.
Jon said referee Steve Meredith had apologised to him for the decisions but his side had to deal with it.
“I don’t think it was a 4-1 but I am not one to make excuses,” said the Development Squad boss, speaking to Bees Player after the loss.
“I thought the first half was even and it looked like we would get back in to it at 1-1.
“They looked dangerous on the counter and we failed to deal with their counter by giving the ball away too easily at times.
“We did not stop it at source and nick second balls to stop them playing long.
“They took on the information I spoke about at half time and at 1-1 in the second half I thought we’d go on to get something out of the game.
“The referee has apologised to me for the penalty decision and for the decision just before their fourth goal.
“We have to be good enough to react to bad decisions.
“We didn’t react properly so ultimately we deserved to lose and deserved to lose 4-1.”
Jon described his team’s performance as “OK” and said the creative work of Clarke and Charlie Adams was a positive.
But he said he wanted more from all his attacking players.
“We were OK,” said Jon.
“In the first half we didn’t do enough to stop their counter attack and didn’t create enough.
“It was tough in the second half, Sheffield United dropped off.
“But I wanted more patience and more creativity in the final third.
“Our players have not come up against teams that want to let us have the ball that much.
“They wanted to then turn the ball down the sides when they won it.
“We did a bit of analysis and were prepared but we need to believe in what we do and have more creativity.
“In our half we need to be safe and secure in posession and not give it away cheaply and in the final third you need to try things.
“We don’t want to be worried about losing the ball because we can press and win it back.
“Josh Clarke and Charlie Adams looked bright but we needed more from all our attacking players.”
Jon said Brentford’s reactions would be worked upon after conceding four goals.
The first came when goalkeeper Nik Tzanev failed to divert a Whiteman corner away from goal.
The third was from a Raphaël Calvet header that Tzanev scrambled back to prevent going over the line but De Girolamo turned in and the striker got the fourth after Tzanev had saved a low shot and he reacted quickest.
Brentford had appeals for a penalty turned down before the third goal and Udumaga was fouled before the fourth.
“Defensively we will be talking about transitions,” said Jon.
“Their first goal came from a corner, which was disappointing, and I think the goalkeeper could have done better on a couple.
“But the other goals were about the transitions.
“If there is a poor decision or something happens we have to react and get back in to shape.
“We didn’t do that well enough.
“The players have to learn, I give poor decisions on purpose in training to get them to react.
“Referees will make mistakes as will players.
“Whatever happens they have to recover.”
Emmanuel Oyeleke, Adams and Clarke all had to come off in the second half.
Jon said Oyeleke, known as Manny, was injured, while the others were not at full fitness.
He said his side needed to win without their experienced players.
“Manny pulled up with a sore groin,” said Jon.
“Josh is just returning and the plan was for him to play 70, Charlie has had a sore hamstring so his plan was for 60 minutes.
“That affected us.
“They are three of our more experienced players but we have to do what we need to do to win regardless of the circumstances.”
Brentford have won one, drawn one and lost three of their league games this term.
“We are struggling,” said Jon.
“We are conceding poor goals and we need to defend properly.
“We need to do the basics properly.
“Players have to concentrate.
“I don’t think we deserved to lose 4-1 today but that has been the story of our season and we have to be in a position to win games.”
Bees Player subscribers can see full post-match reaction from Jon De Souza here.