Richard Lee said he felt Brentford had the better of long periods of their Sky Bet League One defeat against Leyton Orient but the visitors’ momentum got them over the line.
The East London side won 2-0 at Griffin Park last night to take their start to the season to eight wins from eight league games.
They went ahead just past the halfway point in the second half through a David Mooney penalty and sealed it with a Shaun Batt goal late on.
Richard, speaking to Bees Player: Match Day Live after the final whistle, said he felt Brentford played good football in parts but Orient were clinical.
He said the visitors were riding a wave and that took them to the win.
He added it was important Brentford bounced back quickly from the loss.
“For large periods we were the dominant team and played good football in parts,” said the goalkeeper.
“They were direct, created opportunities and were clinical.
“They are riding a wave and picking up a lot of points.
“They have had an incredible start.
“We can’t have too many of these games this season.
“If this had finished as a draw I think they would have been pleased.
“I felt we were on top and shading it.
“They have momentum and a cutting edge.
“We conceded first, went long and it was scrappy.
“There is stuff to work on.
“This is a disappointing result but it is important not to overreact.
“We need to bounce back.”
Tony Craig also spoke to Bees Player: Match Day Live after the match.
He said the first goal was always going to be vital.
“The performance was OK,” said the defender.
“We did well in the first half.
“We knew their strengths and coped with them.
“We wanted to do the same in the second half.
“They didn’t have many chances.
“Whoever scored first would win, it wasn’t us.
“It was one of those nights.”
Richard said he only had one real save to make apart from the goals and agreed the team that went ahead was always likely to win.
“It was a reasonably quiet game for me,” he said.
“There were no real saves in the first half.
“There was one after the first goal.
“We looked very solid apart from that.
“We said at half time that the first goal would be big.
“They got it and were able to hold on for the win.”
Orient’s first goal came when Shaleum Logan tussled with Mooney and referee James Linington awarded a spot kick.
Richard said Brentford did not argue with the award and explained he was close to saving it.
“We have no complaints about the pen,” he said.
“Shaleum put his hands up, it happens.
“I nearly saved it but it was well struck, hard and low.
“I was confident he would go there but he put it right in the corner.”
Brentford had a number of chances before the goal.
Tony had one of the best when a corner reached him on the far post.
The ball got caught under his feet and Orient defenders got across.
“Leyton Orient threw their bodies in the way of everything,” he explained.
“For my chance the player got a good block in.
“We will take it on the chin.
“It hurts and we have to move on.”
Brentford have picked up 12 points from their first eight Sky Bet League One games.
Richard said The Bees needed to close the gap on those above them, starting with their game away to Coventry City on Sunday.
“The last thing you want is to be after Christmas and seven or eight points behind the pack,” he said.
“We need to be in and around the top two.
“We have set those targets and Play-Offs is the worst case scenario.
“We need to be around it as soon as possible and stay there.
“The next few games are very big.”
Tony said Brentford could draw strength from having the same number of points from the same number of games last term.
They eventually finished third.
“We can’t set targets,” he said.
“We take each game as it comes.
“We had a slow start last season and improved, hopefully we can do that again.”
The best bits from Monday’s Bees Player: Match Day Live will be available soon.