Harlee Dean described Brentford’s 1-0 win over Preston North End as a “big result”.
The Bees claimed the points when Sam Saunders won and then converted a stoppage time penalty.
Brentford had dominated without scoring but the 94th minute goal gave them a second home win in a week after they beat Swindon Town on Tuesday and took them up to second in npower League One.
Harlee said Brentford played in a more direct fashion than normal to ensure they did not get pressed in to defensive errors – Harlee was robbed of possession for Swindon’s goal on Tuesday – and it worked.
“It was the right result and a big result,” said the defender, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“This was another big win, like the one on Tuesday.
“If you have a look at the table now, it is looking very good for us.
“We are really happy.
“I made a mistake for Swindon’s goal on Tuesday and that came from trying to play out from the back and being pressed.
“We didn’t want that to happen again.
“The gaffer has told us to go more direct and play the balls down the channels, that is what we have done.
“It worked.
“That is another string to our bow, another way to play.”
Harlee said playing in a direct fashion was easier than passing through midfield, when mistakes can result.
The Bees dominated the first half without scoring but Preston Manager Simon Grayson made a change at the break, matching up Brentford’s three central midfield players.
Harlee said it was a day to avoid mistakes and there was belief in the Brentford squad that they could win promotion from npower League One.
“It’s not difficult to play this way,” said the central defender, who was named Man of the Match by sponsors Trinity Mirror.
“It’s more difficult to get on the ball and try to play.
“I like to play out from defence, obviously I will make mistakes, we are a young team.
“They came out second half, they were a bit better and they pushed us back a little bit.
“We have the belief in the team, the desire and the want to go up this year.
“We have a great team and want to get promoted.
“The midfield did really well.
“Their manager changed it and gave them a better chance.
“But I don’t worry about the other teams; I worry about what we can do.
“We have great players and we got the result.
“We had to win the headers, win the ball and play the ball in the area.
“Make sure we needed to make sure we didn’t make a mistake.”
Harlee almost scored in the first half with a header that was cleared off the line and played a role in the goal.
His nod down found Sam Saunders, who was brought down for a penalty that he then converted.
He said Manager Uwe Rösler had given him advice on how to make his presence felt in attacking situations.
“I almost headed one before but just didn’t get my head to it,” said Harlee.
“I got a good connection on the corner but I didn’t see where it went, I just knew I got a great connection.
“It was the same when I won the header for the goal; I wanted to win the ball more than their defenders.
“I nodded it down and we got the penalty.
“It’s about desire, want and will.
“I have plenty of it and I know all the lads have.
“The gaffer has told me to get across the front man and be more aggressive when we attack.
“I tried to do it today and got a few chances from it.”
Brentford moved up to second in the table with the win.
The Bees climbed above Sheffield United, who lost to Stevenage, and are only two points behind leaders Doncaster Rovers.
They have the best home record in the division and Harlee said The Bees need to be more ruthless away from home to pick up points in their five remaining away games, the first of which is against Sheffield United next week.
He said the players would need the support of Bees fans for the run-in.
Harlee said a young team would make mistakes but the backing of the crowd would help them achieve their aims.
“In this league anyone can beat anyone,” he said.
“Sheffield United lost 4-0 to Stevenage today.
“We are better against the good teams.
“We need to be a bit better away from home, a bit more ruthless.
“We have belief from ourselves and we need belief from everyone else.
“It’s going to be a tough end to the season; we need big crowds behind us.
“The reception we got at half time against Swindon did not help us but we came out and showed fight and have taken it in to this game.
“We need the fans to get behind us even if we are making mistakes, we are going to.
“We have a few games to go.
“With what we have to play for we should be drawing capacity crowds like we did when we played Chelsea.
“The fans can be a 12th man for us and we need them.
“Every game is big for us.
“This one was, Swindon was and next week will be.
“We need big performances and everyone to step up.
“I want to be a big performer in this team.
“I will give it my all because I want to go up.”
A full video interview with Harlee Dean is available here for Bees Player subscribers.