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Brentford boss Keith Andrews praised after speech to Macclesfield’s team in dressing room

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been praised after his speech to Macclesfield’s team in the dressing room after the FA Cup Fourth Round tie.

The Silkmen were dangerous in the first half with captain Paul Dawson’s effort going just inches wide, Brentford then took lead after 70 minutes when Sam Heathcote turned Aaron Hickey’s cross into his own net.

Danny Elliott (Macclesfield striker speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live): “Keith Andrews came into our dressing room and told us he was relieved and paid a lot of respect to us.

“For a Premier League manager to do that is nice. It shows the gap isn’t necessarily massive. We should be so proud of ourselves. The run highlights the club nationally and it’s nice that a Premier League manager was pretty scared of us!”

Keith said in his press conference: “Respect for what they’ve achieved and the journey that they’ve been on. It’s only 17 years since this was a league fixture.

“I love the football pyramid, the English football pyramid. I’ve said this pretty consistently. I’ve played in a lot of it.

“I’ve coached in a lot of it and I love what it stands for and the structure of it.

“And there’s always journeys that clubs are on and this club are on a really good journey and I like stories like that. It actually fills my heart.

“So I thought they were immense tonight. I thought they were absolutely immense right to the end and gave us a proper, proper cup tie that most people would have really enjoyed. I can’t say I did. But again, a lot of respect for it.”

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “That was always going to be a real test. They have a great spirit in the way they play. It was never going to be easy. I don’t think we did the basics well enough in the first half and then in the second half we did it very well.

“We controlled it a bit better and got into better positions and eventually wore them down. I have a lot of respect for them and how they play. It is a tough place to come.

“I am a big fan of the football pyramid and these are always going to be difficult places to come. Tough test to navigate but we came through it.”

Andrews, speaking to TNT Sports: “It was a really tough test. We knew it would be. Macclesfield play with a real spirit and the way they approach the game they had confidence from the last round.

“First half I didn’t think we did certain things well enough. I tweaked a couple of things at half-time but it was mainly the basics and I thought we did them a lot better in the second half.

“We eventually wore them down and got the goal we clearly needed. The pitch will never be used as an excuse but it was different I suppose. Different from what the players are used to training on and playing on daily – that’s a fact.

“The fact we are a pretty likeable club and we are normally the underdog, but everybody wanted us to lose tonight and we had to deal with that.”

Andrews, speaking to TNT Sports, on what the realistic aims at the business end of the season: “I’m not entirely sure. We’ll just keep pushing hard in the league and cup and see where we will end up.”

Macclesfield boss John Rooney, speaking to TNT Sports: “I’m so proud of my players for what they have achieved and the journey they have been on.

“I couldn’t be any prouder. Unbelievable touch by their manager to come into our dressing room after full-time. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Days like this is why you are involved.

“The lads were outstanding and the shape was really good. We train two times a week and we’ve put that performance on against a Premier League side.

“I started my football career at this club and I’ve started my managerial career at this club. We want to go on and get promoted. We want to try and get in the (National League North) play-offs.”

Rooney, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “He came in and said a few nice things about us. The lads have been outstanding and I couldn’t be any prouder of them.

“That little bit between, the lads have been incredible. To lose 1-0 to a Premier League side to an own goal, I couldn’t have asked more of them. Our season doesn’t stop tonight, we get back to our bread and butter and bounce back Saturday.

“I think they probably had more possession than us and then when we did win it back to try and counter. The first half we had a few chances. In the second half they probably had a bit more of it but we train twice a week. Kings Lynn at home is now our biggest game of the season, this weekend.”

Brentford captain Nathan Collins, speaking to TNT Sports: “It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, we need to get the job done. Macclesfield could beat anyone on any day.

“If we can top it off with a cup run, then that would be great. Our fans deserve it.

“Credit to Macclesfield. They made it extremely hard for us. They put up a great fight and they deserve credit for that.”

Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson speaking to TNT Sports: “I am proud of every single one of them. The shift we put in against Palace and then again today, as an achievement. It’s disappointing to lose but that’s football.

“I have absolutely loved it. Testing yourself against some of the best players in the Premier League is unbelievable. I am so proud of the lads and the club and the town. I am disappointed but over the moon with the run we have been on.

“It will stick with the FA Cup, never mind the club!”

Here’s how fans reacted, with Brentford boss Keith Andrews praised after his speech to Macclesfield’s team in their dressing room…

@RobsonKanu: A touch of class 👏 After Brentford beat Macclesfield in yesterday’s FA Cup game, the Bees manager Keith Andrews made an appearance in Silkmen’s dressing room. You can’t hear what he’s saying on the clip (would’ve been great to catch it!!) but he spoke for just under a minute, shook John Rooney’s hand, and was applauded by the non-league side on his way out. Cup ties can be so emotional, and taking a moment to acknowledge that face to face says a lot. For me, a strong leader doesn’t just focus on winning – they’re respectful to everyone involved too. That’s how you lead by example 💫

@mollsbfc: I love this from Keith, real class 🙌🏻

@JayVtid: Class this. I couldn’t have been more wrong about Keith Andrews. When Brentford appointed him, I thought relegation was inevitable. I hold my hands up, he’s proved me wrong. Good bloke.

@MWeaver72139842: I’m happy to say I got it completely wrong . He is definitely the manager of the season for me. Class act as well

@auldy1234: Absolute class act is Keith Andrews, going into our changing room to congratulate the players! Good luck in the next round!

@CleaveO: Classy from Keith Andrews. Proven many people wrong this season. They should go all out for FA Cup. Qualification for Europa Conference League a real possibility too.

@HJJ92_: Classy of him that. Seems a top bloke

@jimhayes78: The more I see the more he impresses me. Hard job after Frank and your first team raped in the transfer market. Bigger job soon but bit of advice don’t taketh spurs job.

@LewisFFC17: lol fair play from the manager of the season

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