Youth Team Goalkeeper Nik Tzanev said it was important to bounce back from last Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace as Jon De Souza’s side beat Ipswich Town 2-1 at Jersey Road on Saturday.
Goals from Bradley Clayton and Seika Jatta secured a first success in three games for Jon De Souza’s side as they maintained top spot in the U18 Professional Development League Two South.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Nik said it was important to get back on a winning run as quickly as possible after a couple of poor results.
“Today was a decent day at the office to be fair,” said Nik.
“Everyone is buzzing in the changing room after the game especially with my assist late on in the game.
“It was important to bounce back from last Saturday because if not that run could keep going.
“Last year we got into that run but this year we are a team and we really help each other which helps us to get the wins.
“We have just got to keep on playing how we have been playing and hopefully we will get into the play-offs at the end of the year.”
Bradley Clayton’s smart finish to a fine team goal put The Bees ahead on the half hour in a first-half The Bees dominated.
However Shane McLoughlin pulled the visitors level midway through the second-half before Seika Jatta secured the three points in injury time with a composed finish.
For Nik it was a deserved win for Jon De Souza’s side, although one that they should have wrapped up far earlier than they did.
“I thought we dominated the first-half and then for the first 15 minutes of the second-half we played really well,” said Nik.
“They got back into it when they put on their three subs in the 60th minute.
“They got their goal but it was really good how we bounced back and didn’t give up until the end.
“They were pressing us quite high so it gave us the opportunity to go a bit longer.
“I played people in three times over the top and we should have scored all three times.
“Kinglsey Eshun is very quick and Seika Jatta is very skilful so it is good to have that option to play in behind.
“Last year it was a little bit tricky to play in behind because we didn’t have that pace.
“With Kingsley and Seika we have that option to go in behind and that is dangerous for other teams as we showed today.
“We should have killed the game off after the hour but we didn’t do that so we had to struggle on to the end.”
With Brentford’s game based on a high-pressing Nik has been called into action as a sweeper-keeper in recent games.
With each passing game Nik feels he is getting much more comfortable with the role both in terms of its defensive attributes and attacking demands.
Nik was delighted to have got the assist for Seika’s late winner and was very happy with his performance overall.
“I don’t want to flatter myself too much but I was very happy with my performance,” said Nik.
“It was hard in the Crystal Palace game because the three chances they had they scored.
“This week I made a couple of pretty good saves which I was happy with.
“I am growing into that role as a sweeper-keeper.
“It is about growing into that role week-in week-out.
“After today’s performance I have a lot of confidence in coming out.
“Today, even when I got hit in the head, I was really happy with how I played as I am there to help out the defence if they make a mistake.”
Next up for the Youth Team is a top of the table clash with Charlton Athletic with the league leaders spot up for grabs.
Charlton have made the end of season play-offs the last two seasons and Nik thinks they will be a big test.
With a number of Under-18 players such as Courtney Senior and Bradley Clayton playing up for the Under-21s Nik has faith that the Under-16s playing up in the Youth Team will be able to help the Youth Team to a win on Saturday.
“It is going to be a tough game,” said Nik.
“It will be a good battle for first place because they are up there with us so it is going to be a big rivalry game.
“It is a going to be a hard game.
“Courtney Senior has been up playing with our Under-21s so it has been a little bit tricky.
“We have had the young boys like Kingsley and Joshua Bohui playing up so that helps.
“Kingsley has grown into the role because he is a big lad and he can hold up the ball well and play the physical role well.”
Bees Player subscribers can listen to the full interview here