Andrews on Milambo injury, Kayode form and improving in 'every facet'published at 17:06 BST 17 October
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Andrews confirmed Aaron Hickey is "back on the grass" after his knock on international duty, while Reiss Nelson and Gustavo Nunes both featured for the under-21s and are available for selection.
The Brentford boss also spoke about Antoni Milambo after the news he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury: "He's obviously very down. It's devastating for him, first and foremost. He's at a new club, settling into a new country as a very young player that we have high, high hopes for. Suffering an injury of that level is obviously very disappointing, but the one thing he knows is that he will get a lot of support here and time to heal."
He added: "To go through that process is the worst part of being a footballer - not being able to do what you love, mates going out and training and you can't. Antoni's got a long road back to getting back on the pitch, but he will get so much support from everyone here at Brentford."
On defender Michael Kayode being an unsung hero in the team: "I like a lot about him. His desire to be as good as he can be is up there with best I have come across. He is a joy to be around in personality. Factor in coming from a different country and he has settled really well last season. This season he has kicked on. He is a defender who likes to defend."
He confirmed Michael Antonio had been training at the club for a week to 10 days but "picked up a little knock and has been in and out".
On his assessment of their attack so far this season: "A little bit of adapting. We have tweaked the system and formation. Some attacking players have had to be unselfish, really putting the team before themselves. You have seen glimpses, in connections and relations. We have really talented players at the top end of the pitch. The longer they are together, building those relationships, the better they will be. We have seen how devastating they can be in glimpses."
On where the side can improve still: "Every facet of the game we can improve on. How connected we are as a team without the ball, how we press, communication, a lot of relationships - I speak about that a lot. It is a new team. It just takes a bit of time. Whatever facet it is, I know we can, and will, improve. But because of the nature of the business we want it to be sooner rather than later."
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