Harlee Dean said Brentford’s Boxing Day win over Colchester United was the sort of victory a promotion-chasing team needs.
The Bees won 3-1 in Essex to record their fifth straight npower League One victory.
On a wet and windy day, the pitch cut up and playing football was difficult but Harlee, speaking to Bees Player after the final whistle, said three points was the aim.
“This is a tough place to come,” said the central defender.
“The pitch was boggy, not the best conditions.
“It’s the day after Christmas Day so we were all off yesterday.
“We’d have been really disappointed if we had drawn here.
“If we are serious about doing something, we have to come to places like this and win.
“It’s as simple as that.”
Brentford went 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes and Colchester defender Josh Thompson was sent off.
But Colchester came back in to the game, pulled a goal back and were given a boost when Tom Adeyemi was sent off.
Harlee said Brentford needed to be more patient but did a professional job in the second half.
The central defender scored a third late on to seal the win.
“We started really well, scored two good goals,” said Harlee.
“Then, it got a bit too easy for us, if anything.
“We have to learn to keep the ball a bit better.
“If we had been more patient, we would have been more comfortable.
“We are an attacking team; it’s our natural response to go forward.
“The conditions were hard for a team that plays like we do.
“We had to go a bit longer and that didn’t always work.
“It’s the same for both teams though.
“It was a bit slippy and a day to not take chances.
“The back four were really professional.
“It was about making sure we did not concede.
“I couldn’t see them scoring and the goal they scored was weak.
“I always felt comfortable in the game but I thought we needed another goal.
“With ten men on each side, there was more space for the wingers.
“Their goal came from nothing and we defended well as a unit.”
Harlee’s goal came when Colchester failed to deal with a Jake Bidwell free kick.
“I want to get more goals,” said Harlee.
“I am one of the main targets in the box.
“I got the flick, it bounced off Clayton and I am not going to miss an opportunity like that.
“Hopefully I can get a few more.
“I set a target for the season and would like more by now.
“I am defended at set pieces; I have to get better at losing my man.”
Brentford have reached the mid-way point of their season and sit third in npower League One.
They are just two points off the top and have games in hand on those above them.
He said with Brentford in contention at the top of League One and still in the FA Cup, 2013 was a year to look forward to.
“I would definitely have taken this position in August,” said Harlee.
“Our in-house target was to be better than last year.
“But we felt we could do better as a team.
“We have some great individual players.
“Everyone is doing a great job.
“I can’t compliment everyone enough.
“There is an exciting 2013 ahead.
“We had a great following today, we are selling out home games, we are still in the cup.
“There are very exciting times ahead.”
A full video interview with Harlee Dean is available here for Bees Player subscribers.