David Weir said Brentford’s Sky Bet Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday would be a “tough test” but one The Bees were ready for.
Brentford host Wednesday at Griffin Park tonight, Tuesday October 21, in a match that will kick off at 7.45pm.
The Bees are tenth in the table, one place above their visitors.
David Weir, Brentford Assistant Manager, said Wednesday were an established team with height and strength in attack.
But, speaking to Bees Player yesterday, he said Brentford were ready.
“Sheffield Wednesday are an establish Championship team,” said David.
“They have a good level of players.
“They are organised, they have height and strength up front and wide players with pace.
“They are a talented team.
“It will be a tough test but one we are ready for.”
The game comes around 72 hours after Brentford’s last, a draw away at Wigan Athletic.
The Bees travelled back by train on Saturday and David said they had prepared well for Wednesday on Tuesday.
“There is a short window but we prepare properly,” he said.
“We got the train back and came in early on Sunday.
“Monday we have a second day of recovery for some lads while others will train.
“We do analysis in between, looking at the previous game and ahead to the next one.
“There is a short window, and a lot to get across, but we have good staff, great support from above to give ourselves the best chance to be as best prepared as he can.”
Brentford drew 0-0 at Wigan on Saturday and David said they played well.
The Bees dominated the first half and probably had slightly the better of an even second.
David said everyone worked hard for the clean sheet and they wanted to add goals to defensive solidity.
“I thought we played well, we dominated the game and we were the team on top, particularly in the first half,” he said.
“The second half was more even but the performance was good.
“It would have been nice to get three points.
“We created chances and made opportunities but unfortunately we couldn’t take them.
“Two years ago Wigan were a Premier League team, they have a big budget and have spent a lot of money.
“That tells us how far we have come.
“Everybody worked hard to get the clean sheet, everybody contributed.
“There is a lot of work rate, effort and organisation that goes in to that.
“A clean sheet is pleasing but we want to score goals and win the game.”
David outlined the work that goes in to being good defensively.
“We preach good habits,” he said.
“We talk about the strengths of the teams we are playing and try to nullify that as much as we can.
“We try to identify the dangers.
“We try to stop it at source.”
But he said there was a balance between defending well and having an attacking outlook.
“We want to win games, that is key,” said David.
“Keeping clean sheets is part of that but we want to score goals so it is about balance.
“We want to be open and entertaining but realistic at the other end.
“Our philosophy is to score goals but defenders like clean sheets.
“Getting the balance right is important.”
Brentford will be without James Tarkowski for tonight’s match – he is suspended after picking up a fifth booking against Wigan.
Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said Harlee Dean would play and David said it was a chance for him to show his qualities again.
Dean started five games in a row, and the majority of a sixth, after Tony Craig was sent off against Birmingham City in August.
The Bees won two of those six and Craig came back in after a 4-0 loss at Middlesbrough, Brentford have taken seven points from four games since.
“Harlee has come in before and done well,” said David.
“He will have been disappointed not to have played in recent games but will get his chance now.
“That is how football operates.
“We want people pushing and desperately waiting for a chance – Harlee falls in to that category.
“Harlee has to show us what he is made of, we know what he is capable of and we are right behind him.
“We preach to the players that aren’t playing that they are important and will be involved.
“It is a long season, we have been fortunate to keep a relatively settled team but we have good options to come in.
“Some have been in already and others will get a chance soon.”
David has been with The Bees for just over ten months, arriving as Assistant Manager when Warburton was appointed Brentford boss.
“I am really enjoying it,” he said.
“There are great people at the Club, from [Owner] Matthew Benham at the top to everyone at the Training Ground.
“Mark is great to work with and work for and he involves me.
“The players are great; they welcome you and do their best.
“I have been made very welcome by the staff and supporters.
“The Championship is a marathon at a sprint pace.
“It is a new challenge, not just for me but for a lot of the lads in the dressing room.
“We are trying to learn as we go and get better.
“There are things we can improve but we are doing a lot of things right from last season.
“The team is relatively settled, we have moved in to the Championship relatively smoothly but we can definitely improve.”
Bees Player subscribers can see an interview with David Weir here.