James Ferry admitted victory was more important than development in the upcoming must-win matches for Brentford’s Youth Team.
The Bees finished second in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South and now go in to end-of-season play-offs against the northern sides to decide the overall champions.
They will face Huddersfield Town away from home on Monday, April 27, in their semi-final.
Many Youth Team players have been part of the Development Squad group in recent weeks, playing in Under-21 games, but they are now training together.
James said Youth Team Manager Jon De Souza had told them they were the best team in the competition.
The young midfield player said development was important but winning matches was also part of the learning experience.
“We are back together as an Under-18 team and preparations have started,” said James.
“We want to try and win.
“It will help us being back together.
“We will go out there and play the way we know and beat them.
“Jon said he thinks we have the best individuals in the league and can beat any team.
“The main focus is to win.
“That will help our development as well.
“You have to develop as a player and learn to get three points every week.”
The match will be played at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium and James said that was something to look forward to.
The midfield player said Huddersfield, who won the northern section, would be a good team but Brentford were concentrating on themselves.
The Bees go in to the match on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run but still finished second in the table, two points behind Charlton Athletic, who won their last eight games to take the southern title.
“Huddersfield will be a good side, they have done well in their league,” said James.
“It will be a tough match and we will enjoy the challenge.
“Playing in their stadium will be something to look forward to.
“It will be more competitive.
“We would have loved to have won the league but credit to Charlton, they went on a winning streak and we came second.
“We are happy to make the top two, that is a great achievement.
“We still have the chance to play in a stadium.”
James said Brentford were confident because of the way they had played this season, losing just five of 27 matches in the league and winning 16 of them.
They were, however, beaten by Hull City in the FA Youth Cup Third Round and James said the players wanted to prove themselves on the big stage.
“We are very confident,” he said.
“We have been confident throughout the season because of the way we have been performing.
“It gives you extra confidence.
“Hopefully against Huddersfield we can do it again.
“This is a chance to put to bed some of the low points of the season.
“We were gutted about the FA Youth Cup and can proved that we are a good team.
“It would be a really good achievement to win it.
“We are happy with how we have done and this will be a good ending if we can win the next two matches.”
James is one of ten Under-18 players who have earned professional contracts and will be part of the Development Squad group next season.
The 18-year-old, captained Brentford’s Milk Cup winning team in 2012 and, although, injuries affected the start of his season, he recovered to play 15 Youth Team games, scoring five goals.
He has played a further ten games for the Under-21 side this season under Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley.
James said he was really happy to have earned a contract and felt the past few weeks of his season had gone really well.
He said he was enjoying working with Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international with hundreds of Premier League games under his belt.
“I can’t really put in to words how I feel about the contract,” said James.
“It was tremendous and I was really happy.
“In the last three or four weeks I have kicked on again.
“I have to keep going, keep working and keep progressing.
“Lee is a good coach and has played in the Premier League in my position.
“There is not much else you can ask for.”
A full video interview with James Ferry is available here for Bees Player subscribers.