Jack Bonham said his run of Development Squad games had been ideal for his career.
The young goalkeeper has played in Brentford’s last five Under-21 Professional Development League Two games and Brentford are unbeaten in the last three.
Jack saved a penalty as Brentford beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 on Tuesday with Betinho scoring a late winner.
He has been on the substitute’s bench for the First Team for the majority of the Sky Bet Championship season and said he believed Brentford Manager Mark Warburton had faith in him.
Jack said he would now try to push David Button to be Brentford’s first choice goalkeeper.
“It is important for me to get game time,” said the stopper, speaking to Bees Player.
“With these games being early in the week I can play, recover and be part of the team on Saturdays.
“I want to play these games, be part of the First Team, be on the bench and not go out on loan.
“I need the game time, this has been ideal.
“The manager has given me great confidence.
“I am out of contract in the summer and to know he has faith in me is great.
“I have turned the corner, I am working hard, I realise what needs to be done and I am pushing David to be number one.”
Jack joined Brentford from Watford last summer.
He made three appearances last season, conceding seven goals in two Capital One Cup ties and four after coming on as a substitute when Button was sent off against Bradford City.
Jack admitted it was a tough time for him but he was mentally and physically better now, thanks to work with Goalkeeper Coach Simon Royce, and wanted to prove it.
“I feel stronger now,” said the goalkeeper.
“If you get knocked down you have to get up and progress.
“I am still young, which helps.
“It was a tough time, coming from Watford was tough and I didn’t do as well as I can do.
“But mentally I am ready now and physically I am better.
“I am ready if I am needed.
“Everybody wants to do well.
“When you go in and don’t do well the fans ask questions about whether you are good enough.
“It is up to me to prove to myself I am good enough, I know I am, and to prove to them I can do the job.
“Simon Royce has helped me come out of myself and he is influential to me becoming a better goalkeeper.
“He has been great since I have been here.”
Jack said Brentford were not at their best against QPR.
They played against a strong wind in the first half but went ahead when Jermaine Udumaga scored a penalty.
Jack saved a spot kick at the end of the first period but QPR equalised early in the second half only for Brentford to win it at the end.
“I know about the rivalry in West London and it is good to beat QPR at any level,” he said.
“I thought we were average today.
“We didn’t move the ball very well.
“We had a strong wind against us in the first half and were slow to get started.
“They pressed us high and stopped us from getting out but we grew in to the game, had chances in the first half.
“They had a few half chances but we rode the storm, got the penalty, scored and deserved to be ahead at half time.”
Jack said Brentford Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley was capable of coaxing even better performances from the side.
“There is a lot of talent in the team,” he said.
“We know we can play better; there is loads more to come.
“Lee knows we can get better as a team and he can get it out of us.”
Jack said he had to adapt his game to play in such windy conditions but they were not as bad as in a defeat at Swansea City last month.
He said it would give him additional experience.
“Swansea was worse, similar wind, pouring with rain, freezing cold,” said Jack.
“We try and play out and if a team stops us it is hard in that wind to go long and turn it in behind them.
“Swansea is the hardest conditions I have played in.
“Goalkeepers need to be aware of their position as the wind can help long shots and you need to wait a fraction longer on crosses as you don’t know if it will hold up or carry through.
“It is great to play in games like this; if I am needed in the First Team I have the experience.”
Jack said he knew where QPR attacker Bruno Andrade was going to put his penalty.
He dived to his right to push it away.
“I knew what he would do,” said Jack.
“As he picked the ball up he looked in that corner and he shaped to go there.
“I read it and got enough on it to push it round the post.
“It is a great moment for any goalkeeper, it helps the team, keeps us in front.
“I was pleased with bits of my performance, I was untidy on some saves and could have held the ball but overall I am quite happy.”
A full interview with Jack Bonham is available here for Bees Player subscribers.