Alan McCormack described Brentford’s 2-1 win over Gillingham last night as a “massive result”.
The Bees extended their unbeaten Sky Bet League One run to 16 games with the win.
They have won 14 of them and taken 44 points from the last 48 available.
The Bees have moved back to the top of League One and have now won ten in a row at home in all competitions.
Alan admitted Brentford didn’t play as well as they could against Gillingham but they knew how to win.
Jonathan Douglas put The Bees in front in the first half and Marcello Trotta made it two with 20 minutes remaining.
Gillingham pulled one back but could not find a leveller.
He said to win without players such as Harlee Dean, Adam Forshaw and Sam Saunders sent a message to the rest of the division.
“It is a massive result,” said Alan. “Considering we didn’t play at 100 per cent and we are missing key players.
“The players that have come in have done an excellent job.
“I still think there is more to come from us.
“When other teams look at the result and how we played with players out against a tough team on a difficult pitch, it sends a great statement.
“We know how to win and we know how to not get beat.
“This group have the knack of being dogged when we are under the cosh.”
The match was played in persistent heavy rain.
The pitch started wet and got wetter, cutting up as the match wore on.
Alan admitted that made life difficult but said he felt Brentford dealt with it well.
He said there were times when The Bees needed to slow the game down and keep possession.
“The conditions make it difficult,” said Alan, speaking to Bees Player.
“You want to play fast, quick football.
“The ball gets held up and your first touch isn’t great because the ball comes on quicker than you expect some times.
“I thought we dealt with it at times very, very well.
“We moved the ball at great pace at times and cut them open.
“At other times we gave it away sloppily, myself included, maybe you need to slow the game down.
“We were reasonably good overall.
“We need to take our chances; we discussed that in the changing room.
“We are working hard to produce performances.
“Against a team that wanted to rough it up, we did well.
“We knew what Gillingham would bring.”
Alan played on the right side of a midfield three against Gillingham having played in the centre of the trio against Port Vale earlier in the month and at right back against Walsall last week.
He said it was nice to know he could be counted on in different roles.
Alan said he and Jonathan Douglas had discussed their midfield roles before the match.
Alan said he preferred to sit and let Jonathan Douglas attack and when he did he met a Jake Bidwell cross for the goal.
“I can play in different positions,” said Alan.
“It is part of the game.
“It is nice to know the manager can count on me.
“It is nice to be out on the pitch when we win games.
“When you put in the work and get games it doesn’t matter where you play.
“I didn’t get forward as much as I thought I would.
“Dougie said he would prefer to bomb and I said I’d prefer to sit.
“We talked before the game and I told him to go if he wanted.
“He said he would go and he got the goal.
“He showed how well he can get in the box.
“It is great when central midfield players score goals.
“There is no feeling like it when your team scores a goal.”
Marcello Trotta took a penalty for Brentford for the first time since the last day of the 2012/13 season.
On that occasion, in the last seconds of the season, he hit the crossbar against Doncaster Rovers when a goal would have seen Brentford promoted.
This time, at the same end, he stroked it home.
Alan said the striker would not forget that moment but was determined to play well for Brentford.
“We have had a few penalties in training this week and Marcello has scored them all,” said Alan.
“He got a great reception when he stepped up.
“No-one will forget what happened last season, Marcello won’t.
“He is determined to play well.”
Alan said being top of League One made all the hard work worthwhile.
“Being top is a reward for what we are doing,” he said.
“We put a lot of work in during pre-season; it was tough, longer than we were used to.
“Our fitness is showing.
“When you work Monday to Friday you want to play.
“To win and go top of the league makes all the long hours worthwhile.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Alan McCormack here.