Kevin O’Connor said his only though ahead of making his first Brentford start for more than four months was to make sure The Bees won the match.
Club Captain Kevin started at centre back for The Bees against Port Vale in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match.
It was the first time he started a game since early September and he came in as Harlee Dean, who has been ever-present at centre back in Brentford’s league season, was injured.
Kevin said he enjoyed the game, playing alongside Tony Craig in the centre of defence and next to right back Shaleum Logan, also recalled as Jonathan Douglas was injured and regular right back Alan McCormack was moved in to midfield.
He said Brentford Manager Mark Warburton told him on Thursday he would be playing and he just wanted to sure The Bees won.
Goals from Marcello Trotta and Will Grigg secured victory; Brentford’s eighth in a row and 13th in their last 14 League One matches.
“I enjoyed it,” said Kevin, speaking to Bees Player: Match Day Live after the win.
“It was good to play alongside Tony; he was talking all the time.
“Shay has come in and done a good shift at right back.
“I won a few headers and tried to get the ball and give it simple and enjoyed watching the boys in front of me.
“On Thursday morning the gaffer told me I would be playing.
“I got myself focussed.
“I just wanted to make sure we won, there wasn’t much other preparation really.
“We are on a great run.
“With coming in to the team, I felt we needed to win at all costs.
“I think we did that very well.”
The game started evenly and Port Vale had attacking openings early on, but Kevin said he didn’t feel they had good chances.
Brentford moved up a gear midway through the first half and they went ahead when Marcello Trotta smashed in from 25 yards.
Port Vale goalkeeper Chris Neal produced a string of fine saves to keep The Bees out before Will Grigg scored a second late on.
Kevin said Brentford could relax and enjoy themselves after the second goal.
“It didn’t feel like they had good chances,” he said.
“There were situations rather than chances.
“We took our time to get in to the game, once we started, we got our little passes going and our triangles.
“We created a lot of chances.
“Marcello Trotta’s goal was superb and the goalkeeper has made a great save from a similar situation in the second half.
“He is in great form, long may it continue.
“Anyone watching would have seen we needed the second, then we could relax a bit more.
“That was a great finish.
“Will came on and made an impact.
“Then we could enjoy it.”
As well as Harlee Dean and Jonathan Douglas, Brentford were also without Adam Forshaw.
Kevin said the fact that Brentford coped well showed how good the squad is.
“It shows the strength in depth,” he explained.
“We were missing at least three key players.
“All credit to the lads that came in and the others that kept their standard up.
“We slotted in nicely, it shows how good the squad is.”
Mark Warburton took over as Brentford Manager last month and the Port Vale win was his sixth victory in six games.
Kevin, who has now played under more than a dozen Brentford bosses, including caretakers, said Mark was “very, very positive”.
He said the squad had bought in to that way of thinking.
“Mark is very, very positive all the time,” said Kevin.
“When you are a goal up with five minutes to go, some manager might tell you to keep the ball, be sensible.
“Warbs’ philosophy is to go for the second.
“We are all buying in to that, trying to do that, and it is going well.”
The best bits from Saturday’s Bees Player: Match Day Live show will be available soon.