Alan McCormack said it was “gutting” to see Scott Hogan pick up a serious looking knee injury in Brentford’s Sky Bet Championship win at Rotherham United.
The striker, making his Championship debut, had been on the pitch for around ten minutes when he crumpled in a heap with no-one near him.
He was removed from the pitch on a stretcher and subsequently left the ground on crutches.
Alan said the players had watched the striker battle back from an ankle problem and would support him again if he needed it.
He added it made the players determine to ensure they got the win at the New York Stadium.
The Bees were 1-0 up through Andre Gray when Hogan was taken off and eventually won 2-0, Nick Proschwitz tapping in the second.
“It is gutting to see,” said Alan, speaking to Bees Player after the match about the injury.
“We have got to know Scott since he came in.
“He picked up an ankle injury in his first ten minutes on the training pitch.
“We have seen him work hard and progress, he has done long days, got strong and fit.
“In his first game his knee has given way, and it has happened to so many players – getting studs caught in the turf.
“Credit to the Rotherham fans that applauded him off even when their team was down.
“We wanted to make sure we finished the job and gave him something to smile about.
“The lads wanted to see the job done.
“We will get around him and support him.
“We will get him smiling, keep his spirits on and hope it’s good news.”
Alan said Brentford were delighted with the win.
He admitted there had been discussion of Brentford’s last visit to that corner of South Yorkshire – a 3-0 loss last season – but The Bees had a plan and executed it.
Alan said Brentford stood up to Rotherham’s long ball football and he hailed the performances of central defenders Harlee Dean and James Tarkowski.
“We are absolutely delighted with the result,” said the defender.
“We got a battering here last year on a Tuesday night; we collapsed after conceding a penalty.
“They are an excellent side, they are a bit more long ball than last year but we dealt with that very well.
“Harlee and James were superb – they have not played very many games together and played like they have been together for years.
“Last year was mentioned but we had a game plan and that would have been the same if we had won 3-0 here last year.
“We knew what they would throw at us but we dealt with it well.
“We kept a great line and our midfield kept creating chances.
“If we continue to play like that and create chances we will get better and better and see where it takes us.”
Alan explained that Brentford needed a disciplined performance to make their game plan work.
“I let Harlee and James go and head it,” he said.
“You have to be disciplined, you have to keep a high line, you have to be brave and know when to go for the headers.
“I don’t think Rotherham won a lot of headers.
“All credit to the centre halves.
“We worked all week and when you execute a plan you can see the results.
“We watched a lot of clips of them picking up second balls, we knew where to crowd them, we knew we had to stop the clean headers.
“It worked very well today, the midfield got the second balls, the full backs got up and we just need a little more care to create a few more chances.”
Alan said Brentford were now getting match sharpness and were getting better.
They scored their first on the counter attack, Alex Pritchard and Jota fed Alan Judge and his pass set Gray in behind, the striker cut back and slammed a shot home.
“We have always been a team, to break quickly and with pace,” said Alan.
“Our sharpness is getting there now, that only comes with competitive games.
“In another month we will be an even better side.
“Andre’s was a great finish.
“Other strikers might have got frustrated but he kept making his runs and came up with a superb finish.
“It was a joy to see.
“Andre is a good outlet, he is quick and strong.
“We try not to use it because we like to play but we can use him if there isn’t a pass on.”
Proschwitz’s late goal ensured Brentford got the win which leaves them with eight points from their first five games.
The Bees sit eighth in the Sky Bet Championship table ahead of the international break.
“We have made a respectable start, as a new team in a new division,” said Alan.
“With the clubs that are in this league, our position is not bad.
“We are disappointed not to have a few more points.
“But we will take that.
“We didn’t want to go in to the break on a defeat.
“We have a few days off to get away from, the training ground, rest and let the body recover.
“We will enjoy it and come back ready to go.”
A full post-match interview with Alan McCormack is available here for Bees Player subscribers.