Brentford v Birmingham player ratings

Clayton Donaldson scored against his former club and condemned Lee Carsley to defeat in his first game in charge of Brentford. Here’s how we rated the Bees players in their 2-0 loss at home to Birmingham.

David Button: 6
Made some good saves, especially one outstretched to deny Stephen Gleeson in the second half.

Alan McCormack: 6
A typical workhorse performance from the right-back, without being much of a threat going forward.

Harlee Dean: 7
Had a good game – assertive and commanding of the back four – but got caught out as Donaldson broke to seal a 2-0 victory for his team late on.

Jack O’Connell: 6
The big centre-half was strong in the tackle and in the air, but tactically he has much to learn and looks less than comfortable playing out from the back at times.

Jake Bidwell: 7
The captain got up and down the left-hand side throughout the game and almost set up a goal with a great run, cutting inside in the first half, and perhaps should have shot instead of playing a loose cross.

Konstantin Kerschbaumer: 5
Had a disappointing game, often giving the ball away. Was substituted after 69 minutes for Sergi Canos.

Toumani Diagouraga: 7
Made some good tackles in midfield, especially in the first half, but couldn’t create an opening for his side going forward.

Ryan Woods: 7
Knitted things together nicely in midfield but his final ball was poor on occasions.

Alan Judge: 7
Typically worked his socks off for his team but was left frustrated by an inability to force an opening – and when he rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot late on.

Lasse Vibe: 6
Looked somewhat lost playing up front but went close in the second half when he was put through by Diagouraga and fired a shot straight at Birmingham keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Marco Djuricin: 6
Had a lively opening half an hour, picking up good shooting positions but twice putting the ball wide before forcing two saves from Kuszczak. Faded in the second half.

Sergi Canos: 6
Again looked lively and promising after coming on.