Andrews backs Brentford captain Collins to learn from Brighton mistake

Nathan Collins of Brentford. Pic: Jack Thomas/Getty Images

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has backed his captain Nathan Collins to learn from the mistake he made in the Bees' 2-0 loss to Brighton last Saturday.

Republic of Ireland centre-back Collins entered proceedings in place of the injured Aaron Hickey as first-half time ticked down, but would gift Danny Welbeck Brighton's second of the day moments later.

Andrews, speaking on the eve of Brentford's trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, agreed that it was a tough time for his skipper to enter the fray. 

“Possibly, but it's the levels that we're at and he's our captain and I have absolute trust and faith in him as a player and a person to come into that without blinking an eyelid really,” Andrews said.

Andrews is sure his fellow countryman will come back stronger and take the required learnings from the mishap.

"It was a clear mistake, which we have to learn from, I suppose. The aftermath, what that looks like is, I just speak with Nathan, like I do with most of the players, whether it's good, bad or somewhere in between and we try and learn from it.

“As a group and more importantly as the individuals involved, learn from whatever happens on the pitch.”

Having been a mainstay at the heart of the Bees' defence for the majority of the campaign, Andrews has opted to leave the 24-year-old on the bench in the last four Premier League games, instead opting to pair Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer together. 

“I think it’s always a balance, always a combination of things when I pick the team," Andrews added. "I think consistency is important, I think form is important, performances are important, trust is important."

Liverpool manager Arne Slot addresses Trent Koné-Doherty. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Meanwhile, Ireland under-21 winger Trent Koné-Doherty has made the permanent switch from Liverpool to Norwegian outfit Molde for a €750k fee.

Koné-Doherty joined Liverpool in 2022 from Derry City and it is understood the Reds have inserted both a sell-on and buy-back clause in the deal that sees the 19-year-old head for Norway in search of regular first-team game-time. 

Last season, Arne Slot handed the teen his Liverpool first-team debut against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, and he also played in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace at Anfield in October.