Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer feels sustaining a performance over 90 minutes is the Blues’ target following the 1-0 defeat to Brentford at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna’s side showed glimpses of attacking endeavour, particularly in the final 15 minutes of the contest when George Hirst, Omari Hutchinson and Cameron Burgess went close.

Ultimately, Town fell to Kevin Schade’s first-half header which represented the Blues record eighth straight home defeat.

“I thought it was a really competitive game of football from both teams,” Palmer said.

“We came out on the wrong side of the result which we’re really disappointed about, but I thought we gave ourselves a really good showing and definitely gave ourselves a chance to win the game towards the end.

“Their goalie made a few good saves. It’s just about trying to sustain pressure a little bit more, keeping them on the back foot and creating more chances.

“In the first half there wasn’t too many chances for us. When they are looking to defend the lead a bit more, that’s when we’re able to get those chances towards the end of the game. It’s just how we can sustain that pressure over 90 minutes.

“We want to try and sustain pressure for longer periods in the game, whether that’s the first half or second half and not for it to just come at the end of the game when we get on top and they’re sitting deep and defend.

“It’s tough, they’re a good team and that’s why they’re up there, it’s just what we’ve got to do.”

While tussling at set pieces was the main talking point from the game, there was an admission from Palmer that dead ball situations were spoken about as one of the Bees’ biggest threats.

The Town goalkeeper was impressed with their display in open play. Jacob Greaves in particular, who was once again playing out of position at left-back, was singled out for praise.

“It’s part and parcel of the game nowadays, even more so with VAR,” the 28-year-old said. “You can’t get away with anything nowadays, it’s playing it a little bit but it’s the same for both sides.

“We knew their strengths and we worked on it during the week but unfortunately they got the better of them.

“The lads had a really good defensive display in front of them, Greavesy had a really good game. That’s the level that we’ve got, there’s lads coming here out of position and for them to perform as well as they did is a credit to themselves.”

The goal incident came after VAR checked for a potential Brentford penalty after Greaves was involved in a physical battle with Sepp van den Berg.

The officials deemed the tussle to have taken place before the corner was live, leading to the flag-kick being retaken only for the similar event to take place.

The third attempt at the delivery from Bryan Mbeumo was then glanced on by Schade for the crucial moment.

Palmer said: “Nothing has been said about it, that’s for the officials and coaching staff to go through. As players, we’ve still got to do our job on the pitch and defend it better. That’s what we’ll look at next week.

“We can’t get frustrated with them. The referees and officials have got to do their own job, we’re just there trying to stay focused and try and defend.

“There’s long periods of times where there’s sustained pressure and lots of corners and long throw-ins. If we get too frustrated, that’s where we can switch off and get too involved in the frustration.

“I don’t think [VAR] is going anywhere. It’s part and parcel of the game now, everyone has got to get used to it. It’s hard sometimes with how long the checks are, but that’s where we’ve got to be professional, stay in the game and stay focused.”

Photo: Kallum Brisset

Town1Inter0 added 19:05 - May 10 Palmer was excellent again. The bargain of the season. Let’s hope that we can keep him next season.
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Linkboy13 added 19:15 - May 10 It's difficult and almost impossible to sustain pressure for ninety minutes when the other team has technically better players and you are chasing the ball. We need to keep the ball much better and that requires having technically better players.
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armchaircritic59 added 23:28 - May 10 That's probably a pretty fair comment Linkboy13. Once again most certainly no lack of effort or commitment, just a lack in general of Premier League quality. You can almost copy and paste those comments regularly, especially for home matches. Would never fault the guys for trying, just one step too far this time.
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bluesman added 06:16 - May 11 Brentford aren’t good at set pieces. They are good at pushing the ref. I’ve never seen so much shirt pulling and holding in a game - almost all from them - and it happened because the ref let it get away from him and lost control. He had no grip on the game. That’s why we were all singing 1-0 to the referee at the end. The game was determined by the way it was so badly refereed.

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poet added 06:34 - May 11 If we are to win promotion back to the PL next season, then in my opinion, we must bring in midfielders that will help to facilitate that ambition. Phillips will go back to Manchester City, Cajuste will go back to Napoli, I’d love to see us keep him, but I can’t see that coming to fruition. Luongo I believe will retire, and Morsy has perhaps one more decent season in him. One or two that are left, have in my opinion been found wanting as PL players. That leaves us very short in that area. So, it’s essential that we bolster midfield with players that are good enough to play at the top level. If we don’t, then that diminishes our chances of promotion by a considerable amount.

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philpott2 added 09:49 - May 11 I agree with the comments on here. Palmer is a cracking keeper, and it frustratingly leaves you wondering whether had he been out first choice keeper purchase instead of Muric, what might have been! Water under the bridge now, I know, and but for that, injuries, dodgy ref and VAR decisions we might have survived. Lol. Armchaircritic59, you've highlighted not finding fault for effort, I must admit to have been highly frustrated at the lack of intent V Southampton at home....that was very poor in my book. But I only managed to get tickets for 8 home games in all. Mixed feelings about some of them.....Chelsea being the highlight, versus Liverpool and Villa at the start gave me hope, but Leicester, Saints, Palace and even Everton really frustrated me.

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