Clayton Donaldson said Brentford’s players were demanding more of themselves despite picking up their 11th win in 12 Sky Bet League One matches against Milton Keynes Dons.
The 3-1 win, which gives The Bees a record of 34 points from 36 during a 12 game unbeaten run, took Brentford to the top of the table at the end of 2103.
Clayton put Brentford in front inside 90 seconds before Marcello Trotta and Sam Saunders added goals after half time.
MK pulled one back and ended the game well but Brentford had done enough.
Clayton, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said Brentford were disappointed with the way they had played, particularly the way they had ended each half.
He said there was still improvements to be made and if Brentford got better, they would be unstoppable.
“There are mixed feelings to be honest,” said the striker.
“The result is what we were looking for but we are a bit disappointed with the performance.
“We dipped a little but, especially towards the end of both halves.
“I thought we could have controlled the game more and made it easier for ourselves.
“Three points is the main thing and thankfully we got that.
“If we can see out games better it will and us in good stead for the rest of the season.
“There are little negatives we need to work on to improve.
“We are top of the league, to stay there we need to improve.
“If we improve, no one in this league will be able to stop us.
“That is why we kick ourselves.
“With the quality we have in the team, we demand more.
“If we can show resilience and control games more, there is no one in this league that can touch us.”
Clayton admitted the afternoon got a bit nervy when MK scored with 17 minutes remaining.
While he admitted The Bees could have played better, he had no doubt they deserved to win.
“We were 3-0 up and comfortable,” said Clayton.
“Then they got a goal back and you think the next goal could change the whole game.
“After the hard work we had done, one goal would make it nervy.
“There was still plenty of time.
“We battled it out and overall I think the best team won.
“We created so many chances, we could have been two or three up at half time.
“We played well from the get go.
“In the first 25 minutes we could have been out of sight.
“Everyone was happy at half time and we knew we could step it up.
“We got a couple more but then sat back and invited some pressure.
“We are top of the league going in to the New Year, you can’t ask for more than that.”
Brentford’s first goal came when MK defender Shaun Williams misjudged a long ball forward from David Button inside the first 90 seconds.
Clayton out-muscled Dean Lewington and smashed home.
The striker said the goal would have knocked MK out of their stride and came from planning on the training ground.
“There is no bad time to score a goal, but that was a crucial time,” said Clayton.
“It knocks the other team out of their stride.
“They would have been working for three or four days and to concede so quickly is a nightmare.
“I always try to get in to that position.
“We knew they would struggle with a physical presence.
“I tried to get my body in the way and make it difficult for them.
“Luckily the ball fell for me just right.
“I haven’t been getting too many chances but I have been putting them away.
“A goal that early disrupts the other team’s flow, we saw that today.
“We couldn’t start better than that.
“We started the second half as well as the first, we wanted to get back on the front foot after not ending the first half well.
“We did that.”
Clayton said Brentford had probably looked slightly more attacking in the past few weeks.
Mark Warburton took over as Brentford Manager last month and Brentford have won four out of four.
Clayton said the new boss had a policy of attacking, which suited him.
“The Manager just wants to attack,” said the striker.
“Even when we are a couple of goals up, even in the last minute, he just wants to attack.
“His philosophy is the best way to defend is attack.
“That is probably why we are seeing more attacking in numbers and lots of players getting forward.
“It is good for the front three, front five.
“You know there will be opportunities.
“We have real belief, the quality is there to see.”
Brentford moved to the top of the table with the win.
They are a point clear of Leyton Orient and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the midway point of the season.
“To be top of the league shows the quality we have,” said Clayton.
“It sends out a message.
“Teams are watching us, waiting for us to slip up.
“Another win today tells the others we mean business.
“It will take a lot to stop us at this point.”
Clayton Donaldson’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.