Tyrell Miller-Rodney said he thrives in the conditions Brentford’s Development Squad had to play in when they faced Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday.
The Bees beat Brighton 2-1 in an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game at Brentford’s Training Ground yesterday afternoon.
The pitch was wet, as lots of rain has fallen in West London in recent weeks, and there was a strong wind.
Rain and hail fell in the second half to worsen conditions.
Brentford fell behind but Charlie Adams equalised from the penalty spot before the break.
Alfie Mawson scored the winner in the second half.
Tyrell, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said The Bees played well, considering the conditions.
“It was really treacherous,” he explained.
“It wasn’t great to play in.
“It was freezing, pretty wet, the pitch was pretty waterlogged.
“We had to deal with it.
“It’s not ideal to play football in.
“I thrive in those sorts of games, getting in and around it, mucking in and getting ready for war.
“Both teams like to pass the ball.
“Our philosophy is to attack, a pitch like that doesn’t help, the ball gets caught up, you can’t be free-flowing.
“I thought we did really well dealing with the conditions.
“I thought we were excellent considering the conditions.
“We played the way we can play.”
Tyrell played in an attacking midfield role against Brighton, alongside Toumani Diagouraga and Jake Reeves in a central three.
He said Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza encouraged him to play further forward to use his energy to get up and down the pitch.
Tyrell has normally played in deeper roles but said he needed to be flexible in case he was needed for First Team action.
“I can play any position in midfield,” he said.
“Jon asked me to get forward more today.
“I can get up and down and he said he felt I would be restricted playing in the deeper role.
“I thought I did well.
“I am not used to it but you have to be able to play in any position.
“I might need to play in that role if I am called up to the First Team.”
Tyrell being up the pitch helped Brentford equalised.
He intercepted a header and the ball eventually came through the Charlie Adams.
The attacker was fouled for a penalty and stepped up to convert it.
“I gambled,” said Tyrell. “I anticipated a short header and I got there.
“We got the penalty and Charlie converted it.
“I was at fault for their goal.
“I felt I had to get a goal back.
“We did really well to get it before the interval.
“We showed great resilience to get the goal back.”
Tyrell said he was confident the winner would come.
Brentford had not won an Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game since the end of September and Tyrell said every team needed the winning mentality.
The Bees had to withstand late Brighton pressure to get the win and Tyrell praised the defence for seeing them home.
“I was always confident we would score,” he said.
“I felt we were on top from the start to the end.
“We attacked with real pace and intent.
“Winning is vital.
“At whatever level, winning should be instilled in every player.
“Performance is vital but winning is important.
“We haven’t won for a while and it was important we got a win.
“They came back in to it towards the end but I always felt we would see it out.
“We weathered the storm well; the back four did very well.”
The Bees play Swansea City in another Under-21 Professional Development League Two South game on Thursday, January 30.
Tyrell said that was good preparation for First Team football.
“That is excellent,” he said.
“Recovery is essential and it will be tiring.
“But it gets us prepared for First Team football and two or three games in a week, mentally and physically.
“You have to get your body able to perform at an optimum level.”
Tyrell signed a one-year Development Squad contract last summer.
He said he felt his season was going well until he picked up an injury.
He returned in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town earlier this month and said he had to get back to his top level to secure his future.
“I think I have had a good season,” said Tyrell.
“I had an injury but I felt I was doing extremely well before that.
“I felt my way back in to it in the Ipswich game but felt I played well today.
“This is the last couple of months of my contract.
“Hopefully I will get another one.
“I need to reach the levels I did before I was injured.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a post-match interview with Tyrell Miller-Rodney here.