Alan Judge said it was great to put all the nonsense of the last week to bed as Brentford secured a 3-1 win over high-flying AFC Bournemouth at Griffin Park on Saturday.
First-half goals from Jonathan Douglas and Alex Pritchard, either side of a Mark Pugh strike for The Cherries, sent The Bees into the break ahead and the win was wrapped up with a late goal for Everton loanee Chris Long.
After all the publicity surrounding the club this week Alan said it was good to get back to playing football and looking to prove those who had written Brentford’s season off wrong.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Alan felt it was very much a deserved win for Brentford even if he couldn’t watch the last 15 minutes as Mark Warburton’s side passed up a number of opportunities to make the game safe.
“The mood in the dressing room is brilliant,” said Alan.
“We have heard all this nonsense this week that we are finished after what has happened this week.
“We have proved this week, with our football, that we are still in it.
“People are always looking for someone to have a go at.
“The first thing that happens at Brentford they want to have a go at us.
“We have been doing really well this year and we want to finish the season on a high.
“I thought we were very good today.
“I don’t think it was the best footballing performance and the pitch didn’t help with that.
“The pitch doesn’t look in great condition and it doesn’t look like it can take much water to be honest.
“The result is what matters and everybody has shown that we are still in it.
“Getting the second goal before half-time was brilliant.
“It killed them at the start of the second-half and then we finished them off with a good goal at the end of the second-half.
“At half-time Mark told us to keep doing what we were doing.
“There were one or two things that we could have done better.
“We did that in the second-half as we got in their face a bit more and we didn’t let them settle.
“I don’t know what the last 15 minutes were like to watch.
“I had the hood over my head and I couldn’t watch the game.
“We created four or five good chances at the end.
“We hit the post and the goalkeeper made some good saves.
“There is always a worry for teams when they have three or four chances that the other team can go and score a late equaliser.”
Alan played an hour on Saturday as he returned from a knee injury that had kept him out since The Bees FA Cup Third Round exit against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The midfielder had played almost every minute of league action this season before his injury after completing his summer move from Blackburn Rovers.
The 26-year-old admitted it was a very frustrating period watching his teammates do so well and not being able to be a part of it.
“I am feeling ok,” said Alan.
“I enjoyed it and I am glad to be back which is even better when we win.
“I got a little kick on the old injury before I came off so hopefully I will be alright for Tuesday.
“The last few weeks have been really boring.
“They have been wrecking with my head especially as the lads have been doing so well.
“I just wanted to be a part of it but I am glad to be back now.
“You want the boys to do well when you are out but you also want to be part of it.
“You want to be involved in the changing room banter.”
Brentford’s win over AFC Bournemouth was their first in three matches and only their third win against one of the current top six in ten attempts.
Alan admitted it did mean a little bit more to get one over a promotion rival and it sends out a good message.
Next up for Brentford is Tuesday night’s home game against bottom side Blackpool are 12 points from safety after a run of no win in four matches.
Alan is expecting a very different game on Tuesday night from the one against Bournemouth and, despite their league position, the midfielder is not expecting an easy evening against Lee Clark’s side.
“It does mean slightly more today because we have struggled against the top six,” said Alan.
“We have played Watford and Ipswich Town and not beaten them.
“We have struggled against other teams but we have sent out a good message today.
“To beat AFC Bournemouth is another big confidence boost but now we have Blackpool on Tuesday night who will be a totally different team.
“They are not going to be an easy team to beat.
“I am expecting another gritty performance.
“It probably won’t be the best football being played.
“They are used to playing on a bad pitch more than we are and that might suit them a bit but we will give everything we have.”