Chris Mepham felt that Brentford still had more gears in reserve following Saturday’s 3-1 win over Millwall at Calmont Road.
Two goals from Bradley Clayton and a strike from Herson Rodrigues Alves settled matters in The Bees favour despite The Lions pulling it back to 2-1 just before half-time.
The 3-1 scoreline was probably a fair reflection of a game which Brentford controlled for large parts, never really allowing Millwall to get up a head of steam.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Chris was pleased with the three points even if he didn’t feel Jon De Souza’s side hit their full potential during the win.
“It was a good team display,” said Chris.
“I think in the first-half we didn’t fulfil our potential but we knew at half-time that we had a lot more gears to go through.
“Second-half we picked up a little bit and it was good to get a 3-1 victory.
“I wasn’t at the Crystal Palace match but that was the only game this season where we have reached our potential for the full 90 minutes.
“We always have more that we can offer even when we are playing really well.
“The team have always got more to give and that showed today.
“We went in at half-time and we hadn’t done as well as we could but in the second-half we really stepped it up and took the game to them.”
Just like during last Saturday’s victory over Crystal Palace Brentford goalkeeper Nik Tzanev was rarely troubled over the course of the 90 minutes.
Aside from a save just before Brentford’s second goal and Millwall’s goal the tall goalkeeper was not called into any other serious action.
Millwall’s game-plan involved pressing high up the pitch and putting the Brentford defenders under pressure in possession.
In the tricky, wet and windy conditions, Chris felt it was a really good learning experience to be put under that sort of pressure for 90 minutes and one which the team came through well.
“It was a good chance for us today because they pressed us really high,” said Chris.
“A lot of the teams we play will sit off and give us lots of time on the ball.
“Today we were really tested to play off one or two touches.
“It was a good experience for us and just adds to our development.
“You don’t just come away with a 3-1 victory but you come away knowing how to play against another style of play.
“Millwall offered a different formation that we had to figure out.
“Once we did figure it out I felt like we did really well.
“It wasn’t the best way to concede a goal with the free-kick.
“We couldn’t do much about it but as a back four I felt we did well.
“We dealt with what they had to offer.
“Days like today you need to make sure that your first touch is right.
“It was really skiddy and you have to concentrate on your first touch and let everything follow.
“Concentration is also so important.
“Recently I have been told to just talk as it keeps you concentrating.
“When we have the ball in the opposition half we need to stay focused.
“We have to make sure that we have the defenders around us where we need them.
“Our job as a back four is to keep Nik Tzanev quiet for the whole game and we did that quite well.”
Saturday’s start was Chris’ first start in the league in more than a month as Seth Owens and Gradi Milenge have cemented the centre-back spots in recent matches.
The tall defender was given his chance after impressing the Under-18 coaching team of Jon De Souza and Anthony Hayes this week in training.
Chris said it is a good motivation for the players out of the team to know that if they train hard they will get their chance.
The 17-year-old feels his performance on Saturday has given Jon De Souza a tough decision to make over who to start next Saturday, which is exactly what he wanted to do.
“It is the worst thing watching your teammates play and you are sitting on the bench,” said Chris.
“The most important thing is to react positively.
“I had a good week of training reacted well and was back in the team today.
“We have four days of training a week and one day of a match so a lot of the work is done on the training field.
“If you train well during the week then there is no reason why they shouldn’t put you in the team on a Saturday.
“It is Jon De Souza and Anthony Hayes who pick the team but all I can do is make it as hard as possible for them to pick the team.
“It has been a really good season so far.
“As a first-year it is always going to difficult when you have second years looking for professional deals.
“I am happy with the amount of game time I have got and hopefully I can keep adding to that.”