Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said his players did well to come from behind to beat Dagenham and Redbridge in a Capital One Cup First Round tie last night.
The Bees – who made ten changes from the team that started against Port Vale on Saturday – trailed at the break but Farid El Alagui came off the bench to equalise before Martin Fillo put Brentford 2-1 up.
Dagenham recovered to equalise before Farid El Alagui headed the winner four minutes in to stoppage time.
Uwe admitted his starting system of 4-3-3 with Martin Fillo on the right, Stuart Dallas in midfield and Paul Hayes as a lone striker had not worked.
He changed it to a 4-4-1-1 system after half an hour, moving Stuart Dallas to the right and pushing Martin Fillo in behind Paul Hayes.
The introduction of Farid El Alagui meant Paul Hayes was moved in to midfield and Uwe said Brentford dominated at that point before switching off and conceding an equaliser when goalkeeper Jack Bonham failed to come and gather a cross.
The Brentford boss, speaking after the match, said his team did not have their best day but players got their first 90 minutes of the competitive season and they found a way to win.
“The game had two different pages,” said Uwe.
“The first page was disappointing.
“We didn’t get going, the 4-3-3 in midfield didn’t work positioning wise and with the way we passed and crossed the ball.
“There was no-one to attack the ball, we need to show more bravery and determination to score goals after crosses.
“At the end of the first half and for the whole of the second half we played with Martin Fillo as a second striker, got Stuart Dallas in a wider position.
“That worked much better.
“Martin Fillo found good positions and Paul Hayes kept the ball moving in the centre of midfield.
“We had a period in the second half where we outplayed them and they got nowhere near us.
“We got the goals and thought it was done.
“We dropped back, there was a mistake from the keeper and they were back in the game.
“The players did well to bounce back, they really wanted to win.
“We didn’t have our best day, especially in the first half but the players got 90 minutes and we are in the next round.
“We get more games, that is what we wanted.”
The last time Farid El Alagui played a competitive game at Griffin Park he was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.
Uwe said he was pleased with how the striker had responded from the injury, sustained last October.
“I am very happy for Farid,” said Uwe.
“He went through a very, very difficult time with his injury.
“He always showed fighting spirit and it is fantastic a day like this comes around for him.
“This will build him up and his confidence will be sky high.
“He got a good winner for us, and the first goal.”
Uwe said central defender Ben Nugent, who put through his own net for Dagenham’s first goal, was nervous and short of match practice but would get better.
He said Tony Craig, who had missed the end of pre-season and the game against Port Vale, was now fit after playing the second half but admitted he was pressed in to action earlier than planned last night because Kevin O’Connor had to come off with a dead leg.
Uwe has used 23 players already this season and said that would help the squad.
“Players will say when they have not played that they need match minutes,” he said.
“I think professionals should stay in shape to play 90 minutes for Brentford FC.
“But, the timing is different when games are competitive and played at 100 miles an hour.
“Getting timing right for tackles, jumping, knowing when to change position, attack a cross.
“That is what you get when you play competitive games.”
The win was Brentford’s first in the League Cup since 2010.
The Second Round draw will take place tomorrow and Uwe said he wanted a home tie.
“This is the first time we have succeeded in this competition since I have been in charge,” he said.
“That is an improvement already.
“Hopefully we draw an attractive team.
“I want a home game and hopefully we can go another round.”
Brentford’s next match is against Sheffield United at Griffin Park on Saturday.
Uwe said The Blades were one of the favourites to win promotion from Sky Bet League One this season but his team would be ready.
“I saw Sheffield United on Friday against Notts County and they are one of the favourites,” he said.
“People have said they had to make cuts but they kept their best players.
“They have some exciting players in as well.
“They play different and it will be a real test for us.
“Players got match minutes and another group trained today.
“We will be ready.”
Uwe said the players that played against Dagenham had given him something to think about before he selects the team to play Sheffield United.
“The players have shown a will to win and that is fantastic,” said Uwe.
“We need that throughout the whole Club, in every department.
“We have a will to succeed.
“We know we can play better.
“After we changed the formation we got better.
“Overall it is important the players show they do not want to get beaten and go in to the next round.
“That is what we did.”
A full video interview with Uwe Rösler is available here for Bees Player subscribers.