Tony Craig believes Brentford must ‘justify’ their status as a Championship club with positive results, starting with the game against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Bees got their Sky Bet Championship campaign up and running with a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on last Saturday with Tommy Smith’s late goal cancelling out an earlier Igor Vetokele header.

The next encounter sees Mark Warburton’s side make the trip to the South Coast to take on Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth.

The Cherries had a fantastic first season back in the second tier last campaign and threatened a run to the play-offs before falling just short and they began this season well with a 4-0 victory at Huddersfield Town.

Speaking to Bees Player ahead of the match at the Goldsands Stadium Tony said that Bournemouth will be a good test of Brentford’s mettle as a Championship club.

“Now we are in the Championship we are in a higher level and so playing against higher level players,” said Tony.

“Bournemouth are a very good side front to back and we know their strengths.

“There are a few weaknesses there that hopefully we can play on.

“Every game will be a good game this season.

“There isn’t one weak team.

“We are in this league on merit and we have to justify our position in the league with our results.

“Hopefully that can start on Saturday.”

Tony was involved in Tuesday night’s incredible Capital One Cup tie away at Dagenham and Redbridge which saw The Bees come through 4-2 on penalties after a 6-6 draw after 120 minutes.

The 12 goals equalled the League Cup record for the number of goals in any one tie and including penalties the ball found the back of the net 18 times over the course of the evening.

The defender said that while it was a great game for the neutral, it was not one that the players, especially the defenders particularly enjoyed.

“I never thought that I would be involved in a game like that,” said Tony.

“As a spectator it must have been unbelievable but as a professional player it wasn’t a good game to be involved in.

“As a defender it isn’t very nice when goals are flying in left, right and centre.

“At the end of the day we were in the hat for the next round and we got a good draw.”

The Bees reward for reaching the Second Round is a home tie against near neighbours Fulham.

It will be the first meeting between the two rivals in 15 years and one of three league and cup games between the pair this season.

Tony said that even though it is a big tie it is important that the players stay focussed on the league campaign and only think about Fulham when it is the next game to be played.

“We haven’t spoken about the Fulham game yet because we have an important game against Bournemouth on Saturday in the league,” said Tony.

“We will get the league games out of the way and concentrate on Fulham then.

“Every game against Fulham will be a big game and being at home will be an advantage.

“It will be a full house and we know what is at stake in a local derby.

“It will be a good game to be involved in.”