Jon De Souza described Brentford’s Development Squad victory over Ipswich Town as a “very good win”.
The Bees won the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South clash 3-2 in snowy Suffolk yesterday.
It extended their unbeaten run in the league to three after a win over Bristol City and a draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last week.
Charlie Adams opened the scoring for Brentford and trialist Jack Uttridge restored the lead after Ipswich had equalised immediately.
Luke Norris headed a third goal for Brentford and although Ipswich pulled one back, Brentford took the win.
The Bees included only three players with First Team experience – Charlie Adams, Luke Norris and Aaron Pierre – while Ipswich had attackers Aaron McLean and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in their line-up, as well as others who have played in The Championship.
The match was played in a blizzard with snow on the pitch and Development Squad Manager Jon said a game like that tells First Team staff about young players.
“It was a very good win,” said Jon, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“Two weeks ago we lost a friendly to a very strong Reading side and it disappointed me that a Reading side that included many Premier League players worked harder than us.
“I have spoken over the past two weeks about desire and what we do off the ball.
“Off the ball today we were excellent for the second week running.
“We were good on the ball but the conditions were never really going to allow us to get on the ball and play.
“Neither team really dominated possession.
“We had a little bit of quality going forward and created chances at times.
“Ipswich Manager Mick McCarthy was here and I said to our players that these are the type of games a First Team manager looks at to see if players can play to the conditions to win a game.
“A lot of Academy and Development Squad games are pretty and nice but games like today are about mentally preparing yourself to do the right things to win a game.
“From start to finish I was very pleased.
“Credit to Ipswich they wanted it on, we wanted it on, it is all part of the experience.”
Brentford lined up with three central defenders, two midfield players in front of them and another two centrally supporting striker Luke Norris.
Jon said that made the pitch tight and forced Ipswich to play in a narrow way.
He said his team were able to get right wing back Josh Clarke on the ball and he created the third goal.
“We had four players centrally we wanted to make the pitch nice and tight,” said Jon.
“We had several players centrally and that made them play narrow.
“We were able to get Josh Clarke, especially, on the right, a lot of the ball.
“In my team talk I told Josh to cross it and Luke would head it.
“Josh crossed it and Luke headed it.
“They all had a little chuckle about that.”
Development Squad midfield player Charlie Adams made his First Team debut for Brentford at Carlisle United on Saturday.
He followed Aaron Pierre, who also made his First Team bow this season, and Antonio German, who scored for The Bees in an npower League One draw at Preston North End and is now out at Gillingham scoring goals in League Two.
Emmanuel Oyeleke has been on the bench for the First Team this season and also played in League Two for Northampton Town.
Jon said Brentford’s success at Under-21 level was helping the development of his players.
The Bees climbed to second in the table with the win at Ipswich and take on leaders Charlton Athletic next Monday.
“We have had two debuts this year,” said Jon.
“Antonio German has also played; Emmanuel Oyeleke has been around the squad all year.
“We have players in and around the squad and have two who have played out in League Two.
“The Under-21s group here is strong.
“When we try to get players out on loan, teams are interested.
“I am not sure if they would be if we were bottom of this league.
“We still have a chance to win this league.
“Charlton are running away with it, we play them next week and that will decide it.
“It’s very tight and all we can do is keep winning.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jon De Souza here.