By Bruce Archer
Brentford boss Uwe Rosler praised his team’s spirit after their “ugly” 1-0 victory over Walsall on Saturday, although he was shocked with the “nasty” injury to winger Conor McAleny.
McAleny underwent an operation on Tuesday after it was confirmed that the 21-year-old had broken his leg, and he has returned to his parent club Everton.
It was the west London club’s first clean sheet of the League One campaign and the victory extended their unbeaten run to four games.
Brentford won the tie with Clayton Donaldson’s 41st minute header from right back Shaleum Logan’s cross after Adam Forshaw had rattled the crossbar with a stinging strike after half an hour.
In a tight contest, the Bees were dealt a huge blow after just four minutes as loanee McAleny was stretchered off after a collision with Walsall’s Adam Chambers on the edge of the penalty area.
In the second half however, Brentford were forced to show a new dimension to their normally dynamic attacking style, as they dug in and ruggedly defended against the Saddlers who threw men forward in an effort to equalise.
And while Rosler was pleased with the victory, his disappointed with McAleny’s injury and thought it overshadowed the victory.
He said: “It was a good three points, but we paid a very heavy price with the injury to Conor.
“I think we were all shocked; he got a very, very nasty injury. I feel for the lad, a very promising player, very hungry for football. We will give him all the support we can and hopefully he can come back soon.
Nasty end: Conor McAleny's was stretchered off the field after breaking his leg
“Things like that happen in football, especially with the wet pitch and with the force and tempo the players have these days, things like this can happen. It’s a bad experience but overcoming it can help the team.”
He added: “We take the win. It was an ugly win. We’ve not had many ugly wins in the last three years. We definitely take this one, but Walsall took us to the wire.
“Walsall are a good footballing side and they came through us today, not many teams can do that at Griffin Park, and it was a massive compliment how we dug-in. That was a very hard win today.
“We didn’t play that well but the players dug-in in the last ten minutes to get us the result. In terms of chances I think we were ahead but in terms of play I have to admit that Walsall were the better team.”
Brentford face Championship side Derby County at Pride Park in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and continue their league campaign on Saturday with a home tie against Carlisle.
Bar none: Adam Forshaw is about to strike the woodwork for the Bees
Lift me up: Martin Fillo takes a piggy back ride from Andy Butler
About to set up the goal: Shaleum Logan prepares to find Clayton Donaldson in the box
Bang: Clayton Donaldson rises to nod Brentford into the lead
Painful: Conor McAleny receives treatment, but his match was over
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