After finding the net just six times in seven previous matches, Dean Smith acted to improve The Bees fortunes in front of goal by bringing in Everton striker Leandro Rodriguez on loan until the end of the season. The 23-year-old frontman went straight into the starting XI for that weekend’s match at home to Blackburn Rovers but he couldn’t help to end The Bees recent struggles. Dean Smith’s side dominated for large periods of the game without that all-important goal. Rovers cause wasn’t helped as they were reduced to ten-men when Grant Hanley picked up his second booking on the hour. However, despite long spells of Bees pressure, Rovers held out and then snatched the points when Shane Duffy lashed home in injury time. The only bright spot on an otherwise frustrating afternoon for The Bees was the return to first-team action of Scott Hogan after 19 months out injured.
The Youth Team also suffered late disappointment as Ryan Ferguson’s strike ensured they would end their home season on a losing note after a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United. Danny Parish’s tenth of the season had The Bees ahead but Mallik Wilks levelled two minutes later before Ferguson lobbed a stranded Cameron Greaves in the dying seconds to send the points up the M1. A win continued to evade Flemming Pedersen as Development Squad manager as Bolton Wanderers took the points after a 3-1 victory at Jersey Road. Jamie Thomas, Enock Likoy-Elumba, and Alex Samizadeh on target for the visitors with a Callum Spooner own-goal all The Bees had to show for their afternoon’s efforts. Pedersen did manage to taste success at the 11th time of asking as a double from Bradley Clayton helped the Development Squad to a 4-2 win over Barnsley at Griffin Park. The striker fired Brentford into a 2-0 first-half lead before goals from Nathan Fox and Herson Rodrigues Alves confirmed the win despite consolation goals from James Carvell and Charlie Harris.
The final international break of the season saw six Brentford players in action for their nations. Daniel O’Shaughnessy picked up his 13th Finland Under-21 cap in their friendly defeat to Poland while Lasse Vibe also added another cap to his collection after featuring in Denmark’s 2-1 win over Iceland. Alan Judge’s magnificent form for The Bees was rewarded as he made his senior international debut for Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland in their 1-0 win over Switzerland. Ian Carlo Poveda played in two of England’s three group matches as their defence of the Montaigu tournament in France ended in a disappointing fifth placed finish. There was an injury blow for John Swift as he limped out of England’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland after just 27 minutes due to a nasty cut on his Achilles. There was also frustration for Sergi Canos as Spain failed to qualify for the summer’s Under-19 European Championships after defeat to England in their final qualifying match.