Youth Team Manager Jon De Souza had no complaints after his side were beaten 4-1 by Swansea City in their latest Under-18 Professional Development League Two South match.
A much changed Brentford side found themselves 3-0 at the break against a Swansea side who have now won their last seven games in all competitions, scoring 34 goals in the process.
The Bees improved in the second-half and grabbed a late consolation as Reece Cole scored from the penalty spot.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Jon admitted his side had been second best throughout the game and praised The Swans for their performance.
“The one thing we always ask the players to do is to work hard and I thought we tried to compete with Swnasea City but we were just beaten by a far better team today,” said Jon.
“I can deal with and it means we just need to go back and work on technical and tactical issues which I prefer to do than having a go at people’s work rate.
“I think we lost the game and Swansea City beat us.
“We lacked quality in key areas and defensively we struggled one v one.
“We didn’t look after the ball but overall I was really impressed by Swansea.
“Their front three caused us all sorts of problems throughout the game so all credit to them.
“They exposed us down the sides and in behind.
“Cameron Greaves in goal was excellent today.
“It is not often that I say players are excellent but he was excellent.
“It was disappointing that he had to be excellent.
“He probably had to make 15 odd saves and we have to do better at protecting the goalkeeper.”
Despite the disappointment of the defeat Jon thinks his players can take valuable lessons from the match, being beaten by a side who look to play in a similar mould to The Bees.
The Youth Team boss felt that seeing how hard it was to play against Swansea’s style of football would show his players how hard it is to play against them when they are in top form.
“They played similarly to how we try and play,” said Jon.
“We have done it in previous weeks and they did it to us today.
“We were chasing the game and I can’t question the boys work-rate but we got played round too often and too easily.
“A lot of the players are tired and frustrated there and they need to realise that’s how opposition feel.
“I thought the first-half we looked a little bit tired because we had to chase the ball quite a lot.
“The tempo that Swansea played at was pretty good and because they kept the ball for long periods when we had it we were tired and they were fresh to go and press us.
“It was two very similar styles and ultimately their style came out on top.”
Jon made eight changes from last Saturday’s win over Charlton Athletic with Tuesday’s FA Youth Cup game at Hull City very much in his mind.
While Jon said that team selection was influenced by upcoming matches the players who he fielded against Swansea City had all worked hard to merit a starting spot.
Jon hopes that the experience of the defeat can be used to drive the players on to achieve their aim of progressing to first-team football.
“Tuesday’s night was in my mind when thinking about the team selection but it was also about these players,” said Jon.
“We play quite a lot of midweek games and try to involve players who weren’t involved on the Saturday but it has been reversed this week.
“I felt it was important that players who have been working hard in training were given the opportunity.
“I said to the players today that it is all about individual player development.
“Every game is about them progressing and putting themselves closer to being a footballer by getting into situations where their strengths and weaknesses are tested.”
Bees Player subscribers can listen to the interview here