Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said he was pleased with his side’s performance in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat against Peterborough United last night and hailed the way they refused to give up.
The Bees were knocked out of the competition at the Southern Section Second Round stage at London Road last night.
They fell behind to a Martin Taylor own goal and conceded a penalty in the second half that Uwe felt should not have been given.
But substitute Ben Nugent brought Brentford back in to the game when he headed home with ten minutes left and The Bees could have taken it to penalties but for some decent saves from Peterborough goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.
Uwe said it would have been easy for his team to throw in the towel when 2-0 down and praised the way they fought to the end.
He added he used the game to give Raphaël Calvet his Brentford debut while bringing back Jonathan Douglas, Jake Bidwell and George Saville after injuries of differing lengths.
Shaleum Logan, Harlee Dean, Adam Forshaw and Clayton Donaldson – who have been ever-present for The Bees in Sky Bet League One this season – did not play.
“I am very pleased with the performance,” said Uwe, speaking to the press after the match.
“We used the game differently to Peterborough.
“They put out nine players that played on Saturday.
“For me it was an opportunity to give Raphaël his first start, he did very well.
“It was also an opportunity to bring Jake Bidwell back.
“I did not want to play him for 90 minutes but he was going so well, like the old Jake, I kept him on.
“Jonathan Douglas and George Saville were also back from injury.
“This was an opportunity for me to give them a chance.
“They all did very well.
“I was pleased with the performance.
“We didn’t give up and we had a right go when we were 2-0 down, it would have been easy to give up.
“We kept going.
“Marcello Trotta was much better and he nearly got us a goal.
“I am happy.”
Peterborough started well and took the lead when David Button spilled a shot in to the legs of Martin Taylor and the ball rolled in.
Brentford came back well and were competitive throughout but the home side were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes remaining.
Raphaël Calvet tackled Nathanial Mendez-Laing and referee Any Davies awarded a penalty.
It was a decision that Uwe was unhappy with.
“The penalty was the decisive moment,” he said.
“Raphaël clearly played the ball, we are very disappointed.
“The referee had a very good view; we can see from the DVD he is just ten metres away, in a straight line.
“He gave a penalty and it is clear to see that Rafa played the ball.
“He is very low.
“It was his first game and he did extremely well.
“He got through 90 minutes against one of the best teams in our league.
“It was a clear tackle, it wasn’t a penalty.
“The referee got that one wrong.
“We will go through the first goal internally, there is nothing more to say.”
Uwe said Martin Taylor was taken off after an hour to ensure he was fit to face Stevenage in Brentford’s next League One game on Saturday.
He added Ben Nugent was getting fitter and had impressed when playing for Brentford’s Development Squad.
Uwe said Jake Bidwell’s return gave The Bees an attacking outlet on the left and Jonathan Douglas provided physicality, experience and leadership in midfield.
The Brentford Manager said he would see how they were on Thursday before deciding if they were in a position to play against Stevenage.
“The fitness was very good,” he said.
“We had the desire and hunger to come back in to the game, that is all I can ask for.
“We now have to see how everyone comes through the game.
“On Thursday when we see each other again I expect players to put themselves in a position to play against Stevenage.”
Uwe also addressed the departure of Joao Carlos Teixeira.
The attacking midfield player has returned to Liverpool after his Youth Loan reached the 28-day mark when it could be ended.
“Joao came to us at an unfortunate time,” said Uwe.
“We do not have the same flow to our game as we did in pre-season or at the start of the season.
“Our game is out of rhythm, put it that way, but it will come again.
“It is difficult for a player like Joao to show us his true potential in that situation.
“I didn’t want him to get frustrated.
“We had a good chat and it was an important experience for him.
“He has a fantastic potential but the time was not right.
“If you bring a player in on loan he has to play, we could not guarantee that.
“It is important to be honest for the player and for Liverpool.
“It is not about Joao’s qualities, it is the situation.
“The player has gone back and we will concentrate on what we have.
“We have enough midfield players, we won’t replace him.”
Bees Player subscribers can see Uwe’s post-match reaction here.