Alan McCormack said his first goal for Brentford from open play in the win over Coventry City came at a good time.
The Bees were 2-1 up at the break and Alan scored within 150 seconds of the restart to seal yesterday’s win over Coventry.
It was his first league goal for The Bees and his first from open play – his other goal was from the penalty spot in the FA Cup with Budweiser tie against Staines Town.
The goal came when Brentford cleared a corner, Jake Reeves won a header in midfield and Marcello Trotta nodded on, Alan raced clear and scored.
He made it 3-1 and that was how it stayed.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match, Alan described his goal.
“I remember the corner was cleared and we had two against two,” he said.
“I gambled on getting forward.
“I got power in my run, Marcello Trotta headed it on, it was perfect and as soon as I got the ball I knew I had him for pace.
“I had to stay in front of him, get a good touch in to the box and make sure the keeper couldn’t close me down.
“I wanted to place it, not smash it, and I looked up, it was past the keeper and I knew it was going in.
“It is my first goal from open play for Brentford, and for a few years.
“It is always nice.
“It was a good time to get the goal.
“It killed their game and confidence.
“They might have wanted to come at us more after half time but the goal killed them.”
Alan’s goal came just after he moved in to midfield.
He started the game at right back but switched at half time.
Alan said it was nice to get the win, Brentford’s fourth in a row.
Coventry had gone ahead early on but Clayton Donaldson and Marcello Trotta scored first half goals to give The Bees the lead at the break.
“I have played in midfield for years, you don’t lose it overnight,” said Alan.
“I played in midfield at the start of the year when we were missing bodies.
“It was nice to be in there.
“I like to battle, keep it simple and let the other boys create.
“It was nice that things came for us, especially after being 1-0 down.”
Alan admitted Brentford had underperformed in the first half.
He said Brentford Manager Mark Warburton had strong words at half time and The Bees rose to the challenge set by their boss.
Alan praised Coventry but Brentford dominated after getting to grips with the game and used grit and determination to stay in the game.
“We were sloppy in the first half,” he said.
“We didn’t have the pace we normally do.
“The manager questioned us at half time, which he does not normally do.
“He asked us where we wanted to be at the end of the season.
“We rose to the challenge.
“We got further up the pitch, we were too deep in the first half, and it was a good reaction.
“The lads were focused and wanted to achieve the win.
“Teams will always try to press us in the first half but we still tried to pass it.
“Coventry are one of the best footballing sides we have played this year.
“They are a good side, they have danger and threat.
“They had four central midfield players which made them narrow.
“Once we got to grips with it, we dominated the game.
“Grit, determination and quality at the right times got us ahead.
“When we are not fluent we still believe in how good we are.”
Alan Judge saw an early penalty saved during the win before The Bees got their two goals, within three minutes.
Alan praised Brentford’s attacking trio for their role in the win.
“Their goal came early,” he said.
“We had enough time to get back in to it.
“We thought we were back in the game with the penalty but the keeper has made a great save.
“Alan Judge did everything right but the keeper went the right way.
“He then came up with a great through ball for Clayton and Marcello Trotta scored too.
“You can’t ask any more from strikers than scoring goals.”
Brentford’s next game is against Rotherham United on Tuesday night.
Alan said that was his only focus.
“We are taking one game at a time,” he said.
“We have a tough game away from home on Tuesday.
“You can’t look too far ahead.
“We are not looking past Tuesday.
“Then we will get ready for Saturday.
“We have done that all season.
“The lads are focussed on each game.”
Alan said the 2013/14 season reminded him of 2011/12.
That year Charlton Athletic won League One with 101 points while Sheffield United finished third with 90.
Brentford have 79 points with ten games to go and have already matched the total they got last season when they finished third.
Alan said the players were just enjoying their wins and looking ahead to their next game.
“The year Charlton went up from this league is the only one that is similar,” said Alan.
“Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United were in the 90s and one of them didn’t go up.
“That is the only year it has been like that.
“We have equalled last year’s tally with ten games to go.
“If we win all ten we get to 109 points, which is phenomenal.
“Credit to the lads for producing even better performances than last year
“The pressure is on at this time of year but we will keep our heads down end enjoy the wins.
“When you enjoy winning you want to win even more, it is a great feeling.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Alan McCormack here.