Brentford 2 Leeds United 0: Milanic says “I need time”

Spanish midfielder Jota gave the Bees the lead on the stroke of half-time, finishing off a flowing five-man move with a crashing drive into the roof of the net.

And Alan McCormack sealed the points in the 76th minute with a rasping low drive that deflected off the foot of Giuseppi Bellusci and past despairing keeper Marco Silvestri.

The United stopper had kept his side in it with a string of superb saves as the Bees swarmed forward with purpose on the break.

United’s only real effort of merit came with five minutes remaining when Lewis Cook’s 25-yard grass-cutter licked just past the upright.

Milanic said: “It was a very difficult game. I expected a game like this against a side with very aggressive forwards.

“We were not good enough in possession in the first half and were not dangerous.

“We have to play with a much more offensive mentality. In the second half we did it better and had some good shots, but we weren’t good enough to score and Brentford were very dangerous on the counter-attack.”

Milanic said he wanted to bring the Leeds faithful a European style side in terms of style and mentality.

“I want to play offensive and we played with two strikers today but it’s not enough if you don’t have offensive thoughts,” he said. “That first game at Elland Road will be very important for us. With support and energy we can make it.

“But I have to know individual players in the division better and I need time.”