Following today’s clash between Brentford and Birmingham City, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Brentford hosted Birmingham City at Griffin Park for a 7.45pm kick off on Tuesday February 20, with the hosts taking an emphatic and heavy victory.
Brentford opened the scoring through Ollie Watkins just after the half hour mark, and ten minutes Florian Jozefzoon doubled their advantage going into the half time break.
Birmingham failed to rally at the interval and six minutes after the restart Neal Maupay added a third and three minutes later Marc Roberts saw an effort deflect in off him – with him unfortunately taking the credit.
Having begun the scoring on the day, Watkins added a fifth to complete his brace and round up a five nil win.
Birmingham could’ve conceded more on the day in fairness and they slip to a 17th Championship match without a goal and fall to within one point of the relegation places.
Brentford eye the Play Off spots.
Head coach Dean Smith may have a double reason to celebrate this one!
Teams:
Brentford:
Bentley, Dalsgaard, Egan, Bjelland, Barbet, Mokotjo, McEachran (Woods 20), Jozefzoon, Sawyers (Judge 70), Watkins, Maupay (Marcondes 74).
Substitutes:
Clarke, Ogbene, Daniels, Mepham.
Birmingham:
Stockdale, Colin, Roberts, Dean, Bramall, Lowe, Gardner, Maghoma (Jota 45), Ndoye, Boga (Adams 45), Gallagher.
Substitutes:
Jutkiewicz, Jenkinson, Morrison, Trueman, Seddon.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Geoff Eltringham blew the final whistle, Brentford head coach Dean Smith explained.
‘It was a very good performance from the players. We wanted a high tempo and to go and press them. The pace and power from our wide players was excellent. We have always felt there was a lot of potential in Neal Maupay and he is getting better. The top six is our aim but we have to take it one game at a time. There is a hunger, desire and character there that is really pleasing.’
Birmingham City manager Steve Cotterill in his comparative interview explained.
‘A very painful night tonight. You can’t make those mistakes we’ve made and expect to get anything out of a Championship game – especially away at Brentford. Some of the mistakes we’ve made tonight are uncharacteristic of those boys and it put us on the back foot right from the off. We just can’t give away the goals we’ve given away tonight let alone the missed chances. We’ve had some tough results this season, we turn a corner with some positives ones, but since the defeat at Villa it’s hard picking the players up again.’
