CLARETS RAID BRINGS BEES TO KNEES
A different Brentford side emerged after the break and Judge pulled one back shortly before the hour, gliding past Matt Lowton before firing home a low strike, but there was to be no comeback.
The clash – and preceding events – left a bitter taste in the mouth of Brentford boss Dean Smith and among a number of frustrations, Burnley’s pursuit of in-form midfielder Judge dominated his thoughts.
“The timing is not great,” said Smith.“They could have been a bit more subtle.It is what it is.Their bid is nowhere near our valuation.
“He’s fine. He gets on with his job. I’ve sat with him before and he’s fully aware of the situation. He knows Brentford have given him a fantastic opportunity.”
As for Tarkowski, the former Walsall manager was not prepared to blame a slow start on his absence.
“I told him I thought he was making a mistake,” added Smith.“I like the lad but we sometimes make decisions we regret and I think he may regret this one.
“It’s a disappointing saga but people have to remember we are not running a January sale here. Players will only go if the players’ valuations are met.
“But I’m not going to make any excuses or blame our first-half performance on that.
“We were too deep, made the pitch big for them, didn’t win second balls and allowed them to hit diagonal balls for Sam Vokes and Andre Gray, which you just cannot do.”