With head coach Dean Smith looking for a response to the loss to Fulham ahead of the November international break, his mood wasn’t improved after the Blackburn Rovers tie.
Travelling to Ewood Park for the game, Brentford fell to back to back losses with a three two defeat at the weekend, and Smith was once again left bemoaning avoidable defensive errors that more than played their part in the final scoreline.
Speaking to the Official Site in his post game press conference, a very disappointed Smith explained.
‘They defended their box better than we did in the first-half and that was the difference. We gave them a helping hand with the goals which isn`t like us: We went to ground and gave away a penalty after being done on a one-two; we got done on a second-phase corner where they overloaded the back post; and, John Egan went into a blind alley, gave the ball away, we didn`t delay, and then Harlee Dean couldn`t sort his feet out.’
Smith went on to add.
‘To come here and play as well as we did means it is disappointing that we lost. The early goal should have settled us down but after that the game became a bit frantic. They were getting it up to Sam Gallagher and Danny Graham who were a constant threat. When we won it back, we gave it back which is unlike us. It wasn`t until we went 2-1 down that we started to put together some of the passing moves that we are capable of. That was illustrated by the second goal which was a super move and a super finish.’
Having largely dominated the second period, Smith went on to say at that point he fully felt we’d go on and score again, but he had to credit Blackburn for their resolute defending in that period because with them putting their bodies on the proverbial line, we just couldn’t find a way through.
‘I fully expected us to go and score in the second-half with our movement and quality on the ball. I spoke at half-time about being more patient on the ball as I felt we were a little bit rushed in looking for Scott Hogan, Josh Clarke, or Sullay Kaikai in the first-half. Second-half I felt we were a lot more patient on the ball but still moved it quickly. We always got our opposite centre-half out by playing triangles around their forwards and when we did that we got in and around their box. You have to give credit to their defenders because they put their bodies on the line. There were a lot of blocks when you thought that we were certain to score. I felt this was a place that we could come and score goals. Unfortunately, I didn`t expect us to concede the goals that we did.’
All eyes to the Griffin Park clash against Gary Rowett’s Birmingham City next, but that will be no means be an easy match either but Smith wants us to bring this losing streak to an end before it reaches three in succession.
‘Next week`s game takes on extra importance because, after back to back defeats, we have to bounce back. If we put in a performance like we did in the second-half I will be ok with that because I am proud of them in the second-half. They worked their socks off and showed a lot of quality but unfortunately it wasn`t to be.’
