Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said he knew he had taken a risk with his team selection for the Capital One Cup tie against Derby County but had no regrets.
The Bees were beaten 5-0 by the Championship side in the Second Round tie last night.
Only Scott Barron started against Derby having started in the 1-0 Sky Bet League One win against Walsall on Saturday while Farid El Alagui, Sam Saunders and Jake Reeves, who came on as substitutes in that match, also started.
Uwe handed a Brentford debut to Development Squad winger Josh Clarke, who started in midfield, and brought on Alfie Mawson for his debut late on.
Fellow Development Squad players Luke Norris and Aaron Pierre also got game time.
Uwe, who has lost Jake Bidwell, Conor McAleny and Will Grigg to injury in the last few days, said it was an opportunity for the players involved and they would learn a lot from it.
He said Brentford started well but stopped doing what they had been doing after Derby went ahead 20 minutes in.
“We have a clear target this season,” said Uwe, speaking after the match.
“I have lost three players in the last week that started against Gillingham.
“We have a JPT game next week [against AFC Wimbledon] where I have to start six players that play the previous game.
“I knew there was a big risk that we would get beaten today but I think it was a great opportunity and the players will learn a lot from the challenge.
“We started very well and then gifted them a goal.
“Then we didn’t keep doing what we had been doing in the first 20 minutes that was good stuff.
“Overall I was not unhappy with the first half.
“I saw some players give up in the second half and I expected more from some senior players.
“In the second half we had to give our supporters more fight.
“That’s the only regret I have.
“I don’t regret the team selection because of the circumstances.
“I am disappointed we didn't fight harder in the second half.
“We dropped back, tried to avoid challenges and gave them two easy goals.
“We invited them to have opportunities.
“It was a good experience for the younger players.
“We will move on.
“We have a clear target for the season and nothing has changed.”
Uwe said his team found it difficult to cope with going behind against the Championship side but had chances of their own and did not shoot enough.
The hosts went ahead inside the first 20 minutes and added two more before half time.
They scored twice in the second half to complete the win.
“We started the game well and if we had pulled the trigger around the box we would have scored goals,” he said.
“Their first ball in to the box they scored.
“For such an inexperienced team, it was difficult to handle.
“The first goal was crucial, the second goal was too easy and in the second half I wanted to see more fighting spirit.
“We should have attacked them more in the second half like we did in the first.”
Uwe said he wanted Scott Barron and Sam Saunders to get game time ahead of Brentford’s next Sky Bet League One game, against Carlisle United on Saturday.
“We wanted Scott Barron to get minutes,” he said.
“We knew he would not play the whole game.
“Sam Saunders is under consideration for the weekend.
“He did well.
“We will have a good strong team out there on Saturday.
“It will be a different team against Carlisle and a different performance.”
Uwe said his young players would learn more from the Derby game than playing Under-21 football.
He said it would be a great experience for the players used to playing for Brentford’s Development Squad in the Under-21 Professional Development League.
“The players learned more today than playing 15 Development Squad games,” said the Brentford Manager.
“It was a great learning curve for them, and a great experience.
“Some of them, like Josh Clarke for instance, he showed his talent.
“Luke Norris came on, battled away up front.
“I wish he had got more support.
“He did very well.
Uwe Rösler’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.