MARK’S BEES NEED A BOOST
MARK Warburton admits mistakes are creeping into Brentford’s play at just the wrong time as their automatic promotion bid took another blow in a stalemate with Carlisle.
Marcello Trotta had the pick of the visitors’ chances in the second half but saw his effort saved, while Carlisle could have taken all three points themselves through the lively Sam Byrne.
Warburton said: “We’re going to have to work on things over the next few weeks because we’re getting to the business end.
“We are very disappointed, because we dominated the majority of possession but lacked the quality at the vital times.
“I would never criticise the team’s work-rate and drive but to get to the next level we’re going to need to have a little more in the final third.
“We were all over them at the end, and Carlisle will be very pleased with the result, because we were going for the kill.
“Things like misplacing the final pass or being offside at key times happened far too much, and it is not typical of Brentford this season.”
Brentford worked the first real opportunity in the 12th minute as Clayton Donaldson bent an effort just around the post.
At the other end, Danny Redmond fired a fierce 30-yard effort over the bar, after good work by Byrne to find the Wigan loanee in space.
On 42 minutes, David Amoo took the ball past Jake Bidwell before delivering a deep cross. Just as Liam Noble looked set to apply the finish, Donaldson nicked the ball off his foot and hacked clear.
In the second period David Button had by far his busiest period of the game on 54 minutes, saving long range strikes in succession from Brad Potts, Liam Noble and Byrne.
Trotta then missed a golden chance to put the away side in front – the Italian managed to shuffle in front of Pascal Chimbonda, but could only divert George Saville’s tantalising cross wide.
Brentford went close again when Judge was allowed the room to cut in and unleash an effort from the edge of the box, which Jordan Pickford turned round his post.
The Bees huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way through, leaving Carlisle boss Graham Kavanagh to admit it took a special plan to fend them off.
He said: “To a man we were absolutely brilliant. We had a game-plan and executed it brilliantly, and the players should take great confidence from that.
“We’d been working all week on a couple of formations to nullify their threats, but we picked up late injuries on a pair of key defenders, so we end up sending out a young team.
“On another day we could’ve nicked it, but we take great confidence. I’m obviously interested in how the teams around us do, but it’s in our own hands.
“Pascal (Chimbonda) shifted into the centre and was absolutely first-class. He’s been great with the younger players and a great asset around the club.”