Kevin O’Connor said Brentford’s players would be used to handling pressure situations as they entered the final run-in to the end of the Sky Bet Championship season.
The Bees are sixth in the table with ten games remaining, only four points off the top of the table.
Player/Coach Kevin, speaking to Bees Player earlier this week, said Brentford were comfortable where they were.
He said The Bees were used to a promotion challenge, having won their way up from League One last season, and the players were confident.
The Club Captain, who has now moved on to the coaching staff, said the players had been brilliant so far this season and were loving the challenge.
“We are comfortable where we are,” said Kevin.
“The season starts now.
“There are ten games to go.
“We are confident, it is in our hands and we have to see where it takes us.
“The players will be used to the pressure situations after last year, that can only help us.
“We have done brilliantly this season.
“There has only been three or four games out of 36 where we haven’t played well.
“We have been consistent.
“The players have proven they are capable at this level and I think they are loving it.”
Kevin made his Brentford debut in 1999 and reached 500 games for the Club at the end of last season before signing a new contract that included a coaching element.
He has only made one appearance this term, in a Capital One Cup game against Dagenham and Redbridge, and now said he considered himself a coach rather than a player.
The 33-year-old said Brentford Manager Mark Warburton and his assistant David Weir had involved him in everything and embraced his role in the coaching group.
“I see myself as a coach now,” said Kevin.
“I am enjoying it.
“If I wasn’t working with the people I am I might have found it quite tough but they have embraced me.
“They have got me involved with everything.
“Mark and David are brilliant.
“They are constantly teaching me things and getting me involved in conversations.
“They are helping me and giving me knowledge.”
Kevin said he also works with Brentford’s Development Squad, managed by Lee Carsley, and wanted to pass on the knowhow gained in 501 professional matches.
He said his playing experience was one of his main coaching strengths.
“Lee Carsley has got me involved with the Under-21s,” said Kevin.
“I work with them a few days a week and try to go to their games, having input alongside Lee.
“I work with the First Team on other days and am at First Team games, helping with the warm-up and doing other bits.
“I am trying to learn as I go along.
“I think my experience as a player is one of my strengths, especially working with the young boys and the defenders.”
Kevin said he sees potential in the younger players but they had to take the next step.
He said the aim of all coaches was to help them.
“There is a lot of potential coming through,” said Kevin.
“But we need to turn that potential in to players.
“That is the challenge.
“They need to become First Team players.
“The aim of all the coaches is to help them.
“We need to teach them that even with a professional contract they haven’t made it.
“There is a long way to go and they should aim to get in to the First Team.”
At First Team level Brentford drew with Ipswich Town last Saturday.
They fell behind to a Daryl Murphy goal inside ten minutes but Jonathan Douglas equalised and the spoils were shared.
Kevin said he was pleased with a point, especially as Brentford had been beaten at home by Ipswich when they, again, fell behind early.
“I didn’t think we played our game enough,” he said.
“They are very good at what they do and going a goal down was a good test of character, especially after the previous meeting.
“We did very well and I was pleased with a point.
“They are right below us and we kept them where they were.
“We always want three points but we are OK with a point.”
Brentford’s next match is against Cardiff City on Saturday, March 14.
The Bees will be looking to complete a double over the South Wales side after winning 3-2 in December.
Brentford raced in to a 3-0 lead that day but were pegged back after half time.
Kevin said he expected a tighter game but felt The Bees could win it.
“The first half down there was very good,” he said.
“We played good, flowing football and up to half time we were superb.
“We conceded an early one in the second half and got an onslaught, which we expected, but overall I thought it was very good.
“They won’t be as open as they were but if we play to our capabilities we are capable of winning.”
Kevin said five years ago the thought of Brentford challenging for a Premier League spot would have been a dream.
He said he hoped the ride would carry on.
“It’s a dream,” said Kevin.
“If you had said five years ago we’d be in this position I would have laughed.
“We are within touching distance with ten games to go.
“This is a great place to work, a great place to be.
“There are a lot of professional people on and off the pitch, and long may that continue.”
A full video interview with Kevin O’Connor is available here for Bees Player subscribers.