Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said a tactical change set up an “impressive” second half performance against Crewe Alexandra.
The Bees beat Crewe 5-0 at Griffin Park yesterday afternoon, with four of the goals coming in 30 second half minutes.
Uwe explained that Crewe came to West London and played without a centre forward, Chuks Aneke playing at the top of a midfield diamond with two wide attackers in front of him.
The Brentford Manager said that affected his team in the first half but they still went ahead just before the break when Marcello Trotta headed home.
Uwe, speaking after the match, said his players started using the wings to attack in the second half and reaped the benefits.
Adam Forshaw scored early in the second period and George Saville added a third before Clayton Donaldson grabbed a brace.
Uwe said attacking Crewe’s weakness enabled his side to profit after half time.
“Crewe played with a false number nine,” said Uwe.
“We had two centre halves not playing against a centre forward, that was very unusual.
“You don’t face that often in this league.
“We dominated the first half but the flow of our game was not there, because of the unusual geography on the pitch.
“We had to figure a few things out, how we could break them down.
“We did that in an impressive way in the second half.
“We adjusted in terms of where we wanted to play our game.
“In the first half we tried to play through the middle, against a diamond it was overloaded in the centre of the midfield.
“It was difficult for our midfield players to establish a passing game.
“The weakness of a diamond is in the wide positions.
“Our full backs were willing to push forward.
“[Right back] Alan McCormack was fantastic in the second half.
“We played on their weakness and that is why we had an impressive reaction in the second half.”
Uwe said scoring a second goal immediately after half time helped his side.
The second period was around 40 seconds old when Adam Forshaw strolled through and slotted home.
The Brentford Manager said his players pressed Crewe “unbelievably” after they had a clear lead and scored goals as a result.
“The second goal really helped us,” he said.
“Our pressing in the first half was good but when we were 2-0 or 3-0 up, our pressing was unbelievable.
“You can ask the Crewe players, I don’t think they had a second to rest on the ball.
“We won the ball in great areas.
“Two goals came from that.
“That’s the way we want to play.
“I can’t be unhappy with anything today.”
Uwe said Marcello Trotta has everything needed to be a success at Brentford.
The on-loan striker scored for the fourth successive home games when he latched on to a half cleared free kick and headed home from the edge of the penalty area.
Uwe also praised midfield players Adam Forshaw and George Saville, who both scored.
The Brentford Manager explained Kadeem Harris went off with a knock and Will Grigg flew back from Turkey, where he had been on international duty with Northern Ireland, through the night to play.
“Marcello is a regular goal scorer,” said Uwe.
“He is now a year older and is wiser.
“He is in great shape; he works very hard off the ball.
“He has all that is takes to be successful with Brentford.
“I am happy to have him and all my players.
“I have seen what we got from George Saville and Adam Forshaw today coming more and more.
“Our two advanced midfield players with and without the ball were fantastic.”
Brentford’s next game is against current Sky Bet League One leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves moved to the top of the table today and Brentford are nine points behind in fourth.
Uwe said his side would relish going to Molineux and they were capable of winning but he expected Wolves to win the title at the end of the season.
“Wolves are the favourites,” said Uwe.
“I said before the season if they don’t win the league something will have gone wrong.
“They are leading now and everything is going to plan for them.
“But that does not mean that we can’t beat them.
“We go to Molineux and I think the pressure is on the home team.
“It will be interesting to see how we cope.
“Everyone looks forward to playing in such a stadium, a big pitch, and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Uwe Rösler here.