Alan Judge is hopeful that last Saturday’s win over Preston North End can prove to be the catalyst for turning Griffin Park back into a fortress.
The 2-1 success was The Bees first home win of the season and, ahead of back-to-back home matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingam City, Alan hopes it can start a good run of home form.
“We have a game in hand on Tuesday so it will be nice to win tomorrow and go into that looking for another good result,” said Alan, speaking to Bees Player. “It is important to get back to back results because we were so good at home last season. Sheffield Wednesday are a completely different team to last year. They went out and spent a good bit of money bringing in some very good players and tomorrow should be a very good attacking game.”
The Bees have been hampered by an incredible injury list so far this season with key players such as Andreas Bjelland, Jota and Josh McEachran all long-term injury problems.
With the changes in management and playing staff over the summer coupled with the injury list Alan admits there has been a lot of upheaval in the early months of the season.
“There have been a lot of changes this season and we are still getting used to each other,” said Alan. “We have only had six games so hopefully last week’s win will bring a lot of confidence for tomorrow. The one thing they wanted this season was a big squad. We have had ten players out injured and I think Marinus has done very well to deal with everything that has been thrown at him. Big players like Jota have been out injured so it will be nice to judge the manager when he has had a full squad.”
Alan has made more than 250 appearances in English football since coming through at Blackburn Rovers seven years ago.
In a squad that has a number of players new to English football Alan thinks his experience, alongside other experienced members of the squad, has been helpful in getting the new players used to the demands of the Football League.
“The new players have done well as it takes time to adjust to what is a tough league,” said Alan. “I was speaking to Lasse Vibe today and he said he can’t believe how physical the league is. I told him that we have only played one physical side, Ipswich Town, so far and we will play far harder teams in the coming weeks.
“Harlee Dean has become a real leader this season and with the more experienced players like myself, Alan McCormack, James Tarkowski and Toumani Diagouraga to get the new boys used to the league. Hopefully we have been doing that in training and now we can bring it into the games.”
Alan began the season playing behind the lone striker but has thrived since moving back out to the left-wing in recent weeks.
“I started off this season in the number 10 position,” said Alan. “I don’t really think that suited me playing alongside the two holding midfielders. I was used to playing alongside Jonathan Douglas or Toumani Diagouraga last season. After switching back inside from the left when I first joined I am now back out on the left. I am happy out there.
“If anything I prefer playing in the midfield but the manager has moved me out to the left and I have come into form out there. The manager has told me that instead of standing in those areas he wants me to arrive in those areas and I think that suits me at the moment.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Alan below