Isaac Holland: The Gtech experience | OneFootball

As Brentford Under-21s prepare for an important fixture in the Professional Development League at Gtech Community Stadium, versatile forward Isaac Holland has reflected on his season so far.

The young Bees take on Sheffield Wednesday Under-21s on Monday night (7pm kick-off BST) aiming to remain in top spot in the southern division of the PDL.

Tickets to support Neil MacFarlane’s side can be purchased here.

Holland goes into the game off the back of a match-winning performance at Turf Moor, which saw him start at right wing-back but progress further up the pitch as the match developed.

The winger scored twice in the second half, both self-assured finishes, to turn the fixture on its head.

“I’m feeling good, it was a really positive performance from me and the team," said Holland.

“I was annoyed not to get the hat-trick but there were plenty of positives to take.”

Holland looks back on his previous appearances at Brentford’s home ground with the B team, and how it helps the group’s confidence.

“We love playing at the Gtech, having fans come down and cheer us on," he continued.

"That motivates us to play better in front of them. It gives you a feel of first-team football, you want to put on a show for the fans and play there as much as possible.

“It gives us a lot of confidence, we’re confident as it is anyway but when we know people are going to be watching us it helps us take it to the next level."

Versatility has played a huge part in the pacy winger's development this season, and he is eager to show off his talent at the Gtech once more.

Holland joined the young Bees as a wide forward but has played much of his football this year in multiple positions.

“I see myself as a forward player and that’s where I want to be, but the coaching staff trust me, and they know that I can do a job in lots of positions.”

In his third year with the Bees, the winger has registered seven goals.

More impressively, though, whilst featuring in a plethora of positions, he has 12 assists - the most of any member of the B team.

“I’ve been working on certain actions in training with the coaching staff, but it’s more about my confidence on the pitch," he explained.

“I’m trying to take risks and trying to create as many chances as possible.”

It’s been a remarkable season for the B team and Under-21s; since reopening the academy it's their first involvement in league action.

They now see the clash against the young Owls as a chance to move closer to a top-two finish in the PDL southern section, which would earn a play-off spot.

With five league games to play, they currently sit top of the division, two points above Millwall and eight ahead of Bournemouth in third place.

MacFarlane’s side are also still in contention for two cup competitions, approaching a semi-final against Southampton in the Premier League Cup, and another in the London Senior Cup after a 3-2 win against Welling United on Tuesday evening.

“The competition for places really pushes us all to make ourselves better which is then making our performances as a team better," Holland added.

“I’ve developed well here – I’ve matured a lot at Brentford as a player and a person as well. I grew up in Sheffield and spent a lot of time there, so it was a big change when I came to London, but I’ve enjoyed it.

"Obviously sometimes I miss home a bit, but I know I need to push myself and do what I need to do to help my career, and I think that’s shown in my development.”

Monday night will be a big occasion for Holland not just due to the Gtech floodlights, but also because he joined Brentford from Wednesday in 2022 having spent a lot of his youth playing for the Owls.

“It will be great to play against some of my old team-mates as I still keep in touch with them, but every game is one that I want to win," he concluded.

“My family are still based in Sheffield, and they should be coming down so it will be great to play in front of them at the Gtech.”