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" They scored two goals and we weren't very good in the first half, that is the simple matter of it. We allowed them too much space and we didn't get to grips with the way we played, not necessarily the way that they played, but we didn't play the way that we normally play. In that case you get beaten and that is what happened today.
" We didn't do the basics right, in the first half particularly but sometimes in the second too. I'm not pleased, I don't like losing games. The way we played in the first half wasn't the usual Brentford. We have a lot of new players, it's not an excuse it's a reason for us to get it right, and get it right quickly.
" We need to work hard to get back to what we do best. We win and lose as a team and the whole team has to take responsibility. We defended too deep and we got pulled apart. If we had got in at half time at 1-0 it might have been different but we gave away a poor penalty and then were really up against it. The referee (Andy Haines) gave the penalty, the referee made the decision, they took the penalty and they scored so it is a penalty.
" I took David McCracken and Michael Spillane off at half-time, they were the unfortunate two as it could have been several. But, I just felt that we needed to change it, we needed to exert ourselves on the game a little bit more, and Leon Legge came on and did well. "
" Robbie Simpson came on as well and obviously he has only been with us for a day, so it was difficult for him to come straight in. But, he certainly looked and showed that he has got ability and understands the game, and he will be a real asset for us.
" It is difficult when you have players coming into the squad late. It is very difficult, it is not ideal preparation, I have been working since February to get the players in and most of the players have actually come in. But, when you are waiting until the last day before the season starts it is very frustrating because you haven't been able to work them how you want to.
" With Robbie it was a case that he didn't play throughout pre-season at Huddersfield, he felt he had a chance and he wanted to give it a go there, which he is entitled to. He recognised that they were bringing in centre-forwards and players that were going to play in his position.
" So, that dragged on a bit longer than we would have hoped, and Pim Balkestein obviously had the opportunity to go to a big club in Germany (Fortuna Dusseldorf) and train with them and that held that up. Then Gary Alexander, Millwall obviously looked at the pre-season games and they felt that they could bring other players. "
" When you are looking at good players, they are not readily available and they are not going to be available when you necessarily want them. So, you have to bide your time a little bit, unfortunately it came very late in the day, but we have got them now so we can work them. They are now our players and they will improve with us.
" We will have to look at the injuries now ahead of Tuesday, we have got Myles Weston who pulled up with a groin. We will have to have a look at who is fit and available. Toumani Diagouraga obviously hopefully will be available again.
" So, we are looking to win the game, we want to progress in the cups and we want to win games and get back on track now as well. So, that is what we want to do, it will come very quickly after today which is good, we can get back training on Monday and work on things and then go on Tuesday.
" If Cheltenham had seen us in the first-half today then they would fancy themselves to beat us to be honest. No game is easy at any stage, we have seen that in pre-season with the non-league games, everyone raises their game and we have got to raise our game from today as well. So, that is just nature but we are disappointed we have lost today, very disappointed but it is not the end of the world. We have got to just improve on areas that we were lacking in today.
Meanwhile Bees striker Gary Alexander commented to the official Brentford website :
" No-one wants to lose on the first day of the season. It was a poor performance and we got what we deserved. We are putting together a squad capable of challenging in this league. It's the first day of the season, there will be lots of other teams that have lost. We have to put it right. "