Brentford Youth Team Manager Jeremy Steele said he was not happy with his side’s performance in their 3-1 defeat to Colchester United on Saturday.
The Bees lost to their Essex visitors in an Under-18 Professional Development League Two South match and Jeremy, who spoke to Bees Player after the match, said all three goals his team conceded were preventable.
Brentford fell behind early on when trialist Bobby Dormer lost possession and the home defence never recovered.
The second came from a corner after Brentford goalkeeper James Bransgrove had saved a penalty and the third from a long ball forward.
Brentford pulled one back in the second period through trialist Robbie Norris but could not find a way back in to the game.
“We weren’t happy with the performance,” said Jeremy.
“We didn’t pass the ball well enough.
“The quality in possession of the ball was not what we expect.
“We spoke about the intensity of our play at half time, that wasn’t up to scratch in the first half either.
“In the first half both with and without the ball wasn’t up to our standards, and we set high standards.
“That was disappointing.
“Second half was better out of possession – we closed down well and got stuck in – but we didn’t pass the ball well.
“Colchester took advantage of our poor decision making in terms of the way we defended.
“They played the ball in behind us and we didn’t deal with that.
“They used the space behind our full backs and got joy from it.
“We set about putting that right in the second half, I don’t think they got in behind us at all in the second half but we were 3-0 down by then.
“Colchester got the ball forward quickly and that hurt us in the first half.
“We have to be able to deal with different teams and different styles.
“We didn’t do that today.
“All three goals were preventable, they were our mistakes.”
Brentford fielded five trialists and had another on the bench as they were suffering with injuries.
Jeremy said some of those brought in had made an impact while others had not.
The Bees had taken four points from their last two league games – having taken two from their first 11 – and Jeremy, who arrived as Youth Team Manager in late November, said it was disappointing his side could not keep the run going.
“We had a few lads in for rehab today,” he explained.
“We had seven injuries to players that would have been in the squad today.
“We had Courtney Senior, Richard Bryan, Joe Maloney, Josh Stockwell, a whole list who couldn’t play.
“It was frustrating but that gave others a chance to play.
“A couple took their chance and impressed.
“Others will be disappointed they didn’t show more.
“It stops us in our tracks a little.
“We couldn’t keep ourselves rolling along.
“We have put things in to practice that have worked well.
“We have improved in pressing the ball now we need to work on the quality when we get it back.
“We didn’t kick on today and personal changes can stop that but we should have been better anyway.”
Brentford recalled Myles Hippolyte from a work experience deal at Southall FC, who play in Spartan South Midlands League Division One, to play and Jeremy gave an update on two other players currently out on similar deals.
Stefan Tomasevic is with Northwood and Max Herbert is with Ashford Town (Middlesex) – both are currently playing in the Evo-Stick Southern League Central Division
“Work experience is not a loan,” said Jeremy.
“The rules are different and we can recall players.
“With our injuries, we recalled Myles today to play with us.
“The reports on Stefan have been really positive and Max has played the last few games for Ashford has done well.
“The reports have been positive and they are playing in a men’s football environment.
“It’s very positive feedback.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jeremy Steele here.