PDC wary of Bees' German efficiency (From Swindon Advertiser)

PDC wary of Bees' German efficiency

6:00am Tuesday 20th November 2012 in Sport By Sam Morshead

PAOLO Di Canio can see typical German efficiency embedded in the heart of Uwe Rosler’s Brentford side.

Rosler, the former Manchester City and Southampton striker, made six appearances for East Germany before his country’s unification in 1990 and Di Canio feels that the 44-year-old has instilled in his Bees team a discipline and work ethic synonymous with his nation’s footballing stereotype.

Di Canio, who briefly played against the ex-Kairserslauten hitman in the Premier League, has told his players to underestimate their guests at their peril.

The Italian said: “He was a typical player with determination, enthusiasm - one of the typical ones that had a good character and strong and it’s good for me to meet him again.

“You can see there is desire to be solid, compact, with togetherness. There is his character in there. He sent a message straight away to the players in the way they play.

“Every time they lose the ball they run very quickly back to maintain their discipline and stay as a unit and once they win the ball they challenge and support up front.

“When they deliver the ball forward it is for a reason and not just to kick the ball.

“They squeeze up quickly because they want to maintain the discipline and distance. It is a very compact team and the lines are very close.

“You can see their manager’s hand in there.

“If they (the Germans) missed winning many trophies in their history it’s because they miss some fantasy, but the solidity and their intention to remain compact is unique in the world.”

Brentford’s resilience away from home is evident from a record on the road that reads one win, two defeats and six draws from nine league outings this term.

However, Di Canio knows the west London outfit have a little trickery of their own which has contributed to an unbeaten run of six matches in all competitions.

“It’s obvious that in this team there are also two or three players with quality, with fantasy - especially the two wingers, (Clayton) Donaldson up front is a man who can turn and look at the opponent’s goal.

“He brought efficiency but in this team there is also quality but there is that strength and desire to work hard.”

Striker Antonio German could start for Brentford after coming off the bench to head the equaliser against Preston on Saturday.

Wigan loanee Rob Kiernan may come into defence, with midfielder Kevin O'Connor (ankle), striker Farid El Alagui (knee) and defender Leon Legge (groin) out.

Meanwhile, Di Canio is concerned some of his younger players may not be fully focused for this evening’s encounter.

Following the 4-1 thumping of Yeovil at the weekend, the Town manager is worried that the less experienced element of his squad have let themselves wind down too much ahead of the visit of the Bees.

“I have to tell you, it’s strange to listen to my words in this way but it would be easier for us to go away from home after we had a win like we had at the weekend.

“Always a win like we had at the weekend can make some of my players - some youngest and not experienced and not nasty or greedy players - relax and think tomorrow will be easy.

“The problem will be - if don’t perform like we did in the last few games we will have a big problem. This is my only concern. At home after a good win maybe someone can start floppy and that can cause a big problem to us.

“In a normal way you should have more enthusiasm, more desire, take advantage of it but I know some of my players and I still have a concern that someone is not capable to recharge their battery and cancel what was done a few days before and be ready for the next challenge.

“Not for all my players but for a few of them. If I’m right, I hope I’m wrong, we have a problem.”

Town will continue to be without Alan Navarro, who is recovering from a medial ligament problem, the suspended Aden Flint and Tommy Miller through a dead leg.

Giles Coke is absent with a foot injury and Federico Bessone is still missing because of a calf knock.