Assistant Manager Alan Kernaghan said he really enjoyed Brentford’s FA Cup with Budweiser win over Southend United.
The Bees beat the Essex side 2-1 in a Third Round Replay at Griffin Park last night.
Brentford dominated almost exclusively and took the lead through Paul Hayes.
But former Brentford goalkeeper Paul Smith had a night to remember, making save after save, including one from a Harry Forrester penalty.
Southend then equalised against the run of play but Clayton Donaldson scored the winner inside the final 15 minutes.
Alan hailed the character of the team to win the game after conceding and praised their fast start.
“We spoke to the players regarding the first five or ten minutes against Oldham Athletic on Saturday,” said Alan, referencing Brentford’s 2-0 npower League One win four days prior.
“We felt we were a bit slow starting.
“We really got at them tonight.
“We created a number of chances.
“It was enjoyable to watch.
“Slightly frustrating when you don’t get the second goal, there is always a danger they could nick it.
“There was good spirit and character to come back from when they did equalise and then get the winner.
“We all enjoyed it.
“Getting the second goal is the be all and end all.
“Teams will always get chances against you.
“We could have done better to stop the cross for their goal.
“I would rather concentrate on the good things we did.”
Alan likened Paul Smith to Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski, who produced the game of his life in a World Cup Qualifier against England in 1973 to deny the Three Lions a place in the 1974 World Cup Finals.
He said if Brentford continued to create chances, the coaching staff could ask for little more.
“He seemed to get in the way of everything,” said Alan, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“Even Harry’s penalty looked very good from where we were sitting.
“He managed to claw it out of the top corner.
“He was excellent.
“Southend really put us to the test at 1-0.
“We couldn’t get the second goal and they took us to the wire.
“All we can ask is to hit the target.
“Sometimes they don’t go in.
“As long as we get balls in to the box and players in to the box, we will score goals.”
Alan said Manager Uwe Rösler was still suffering a bit with a cold, which he why he was speaking to the media.
He said Tom Adeyemi should train with the First Team ahead of the match against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday and Richard Lee was also recovering well from an injury.
He said the decision to make changes for the Southend match – replacing Marcello Trotta and Shaleum Logan with Paul Hayes and Lee Hodson – was due to the upcoming run of games.
“We have a number of games in a short period of time, we have to utilise the squad,” he said.
“We all know Paul Hayes can do a good job, he did tonight, he was fantastic and got a good goal.
“Marcello Trotta is also excellent.
“We have strength in depth throughout the team and are trying to use it.”
Brentford will entertain Chelsea at Griffin Park in the Fourth Round on Sunday January 27.
“It is a chance to pit ourselves against the Champions League winners,” said Alan.
“It is hugely exciting, fraught with a little bit of danger.
“We are desperately looking forward to it.
“There is hard work between now and then.
“We have Tranmere here on Saturday, they are top of our league and, if we are all honest, the be all and end all of our season is promotion.
“That is what we are concentrating on.”
Before Chelsea are in TW8, Tranmere come to town on Saturday and Leyton Orient visit on Tuesday, January 22.
The Bees currently sit third in npower League One, four points behind leaders Tranmere with a game in hand.
“The games coming up are big ones for us, we can’t take our eye off the ball,” said Alan.
“Hopefully that will make it easier from a staff point of view.
“The players will know they can’t take their foot off the pedal.
“They will have to keep it right down and keep going to keep the progress we are making going.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Alan Kernaghan here.