Our team appeared set to continue a five-game winning streak after Noni Madueke scored just after the hour mark, giving us the lead against Brentford. However, Brentford’s well-known long-throw threat proved decisive when Keane Lewis-Potter capitalized on a lapse in Michael Kayode’s marking to equalize. The draw meant we missed out on becoming only the third side to win at the Gtech Community Stadium, a result our manager, Mikel, described as “costly.”
Mikel Highlights Discipline, Challenges, And Missed Chances In Tough Brentford Draw
Reflecting on the match, Mikel acknowledged the challenges posed by Brentford’s playing style. “It was a very tough match. We knew that it was very tough to dominate them for the whole game. They are really good at dragging you into the game that they want,” he said. The team struggled early on but gained momentum in the second half, controlling the game with pace and intent. Despite creating multiple opportunities, finishing proved elusive, and only Madueke’s goal gave them the lead.
Mikel Reflects on Brentford Draw, Stresses Discipline and Lessons AheadMikel emphasized the importance of discipline in following that goal. “After that, you have to stay so disciplined, not to give fouls away. The clearances have to be, especially the balls in the channel, in the right way. The moment you don’t do that, and you concede the set-piece, a long throw, you have to defend with your life,” he said. Brentford’s equalizer stretched the game, and both sides had chances to win, including a late opportunity for Gabi that went begging.
Mikel Urges Quick Regroup, Focus On Lessons Ahead Of FA Cup Clash
Looking ahead, Mikel stressed the need to quickly regroup with a fast turnaround before the FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic on Sunday. The team remains in contention across all four competitions as the season nears its final months, and lessons from the Brentford match will be crucial. “We have to look at what we’ve done. We know that we should have done things better, especially in the box. If you want to win, you’re going to have to defend the balls in and around because they don’t need anything,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Mikel encouraged a forward-looking mindset. “We keep going, we take the point. We’re going to have to learn and improve in certain areas for sure, but we have another competition that we are very excited to play in.” The team now focuses on applying those lessons and maintaining momentum as they continue to pursue success on multiple fronts.
