Tommy Smith believes Brentford have more than enough to gain revenge for their FA Cup Third Round defeat to Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion when the two sides meet this Saturday.
The striker played an hour of the cup match at Griffin Park two weeks ago which The Bees dominated before being hit twice in the closing stages as Lewis Dunk and Chris O’Grady scored for the visitors.
Tommy admits that defeat was hard to take, especially given how well they had played for the majority of the match.
Speaking to Bees Player ahead of The Bees first ever visit to the AMEX Stadium Tommy said that the players are keen to get revenge for that cup defeat when the two sides meet again in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.
“It is a lovely stadium down at Brighton and it is always a lovely place to go and play,” said Tommy.
“The pitch is generally good and the fans are great down there.
“It is great that we are taking a good number with us and that always helps for away games.
“They had a little mini-resurgence but I think given our performance against them they will count themselves fortunate to win 2-0 on the day.
“On another day, probably nine times out of 10, we go on and win that quite comfortably.
“We have a bit of a point to prove to them and I am looking forward to it.
“It should be a very good game and they have got a new manager and have had a bit of a reaction from that which often happens.
“They will know a bit more about us but the way we played, even though the last 20 minutes was a bit disappointing for us, I think we controlled the game comfortably.
“We know that if we are on top form, which we will be, we will have more than enough to get the three points.
“It was hard to take the last loss in the dressing room, because it was three on the bounce, so it would be nice to put that to bed straight away.”
Brentford go into Saturday’s league game on the back of their first win in four, a 1-0 success at Griffin Park over Rotherham United last Saturday.
After a goalless first 45 minutes the match was settled by Stuart Dallas’s fine strike just before the hour.
Tommy said it was important to get a result last Saturday just to arrest the slight dip in form Brentford had suffered around the New Year period.
The former Watford, QPR and Cardiff City forward was pleased that, not only did his side pick up the three points, but they did so with a strong overall performance.
“I think we were a little bit unfortunate to only get one on Saturday,” said Tommy.
“We created enough chances to get two or three, we hit the post and Andre Gray had a good chance.
“The fact that we got the win was the most important thing and the second-half performance was very strong.
“We were still aware that our performances were really good so we didn’t want our performances to get hit at all.
“Sometimes there is that feeling that seeps in a little bit that there is that little bit more added pressure.
“You don’t want to go four games without winning, especially not four losses.
“It was important for us to pick ourselves up before the game and not be too concerned about the form table and what had happened a couple of weeks before.
“We needed to maintain our form and keep playing well and get the win, which we did really well.”
The 34-year-old has mainly been introduced off the bench this season, with 10 of his 11 league appearances being as a substitute.
Tommy was brought on in the win over Rotherham to help see out the final few minutes of the 1-0 victory.
The forward said it was nice to be able to contribute to the win using his experience and ability to help confirm the three points.
“I can’t remember what the manager said to me to be honest,” said Tommy.
“He wanted me to come on for Andre Gray up front to keep hold of the ball and give them a bit of a problem.
“They were big strong lads and it was a case of not playing up against them but getting them moving, getting some gaps forms and causing them some problems.
“It was nice to get on and I felt that went quite well.
“I have played up front a number of times throughout my career and it is something that I am happy to do.
“Sometimes when the game is quite tight you can bring some match management into the game to slow things down.
“You can keep the ball, win a few free kicks and allow the pressure that might be building on us to be released.”
Last Saturday’s win moved The Bees above one of Tommy’s former sides Watford and up into fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, five points off the leaders AFC Bournemouth.
With less than half the season remaining Tommy believes that Brentford must be considered genuine promotion contenders now.
For Tommy the most pleasing aspect of the season so far has been the way that The Bees have continued to play their brand of football despite the step up in division.
“We are genuine promotion contenders now,” said Tommy.
“If you had said to me in August that this would be our position then, from the outside looking in, you would say the club would be above expectations.
“However as soon as you walk in you can see the confidence in the squad and we have the ability on the training pitch.
“We are fifth for a reason and that’s nice because it is a breath of fresh air into the Championship.
“It is nice that clubs can come in and they don’t have to adapt to the league but that the league can adapt to the style we play.
“We have done that really well and that is all credit to everyone here and all the hard work that has gone into it.
“We are looking forward to the run-in now and we will see what happens.”
Bees Player subscribers can listen to the full interview here