Harlee Dean said Brentford showed character as they withstood a Bristol City storm to take three points at Ashton Gate last night.
The Bees won 2-1 in the West County as Sam Saunders came off the bench to score one and set one up for Clayton Donaldson.
The home side started brightly and Brentford had to defend well against a team pressing high up the pitch and with a strong wind at their backs.
Harlee said The Bees stuck together defensively and that gave them a platform to win the game.
“This is the first time we have won back-to-back games all season,” said the defender, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We didn’t play well in the first half; it was hard to get out with the wind.
“But we stuck together defensively and didn’t concede a goal.
“We knew the game would open up and we got our rewards.
“They pressed us everywhere.
“They did it really well.
“They seemed to have two extra men in the centre of midfield.
“It was more open in the second half; we managed to play through the full backs and got the three points.
“The way we hung in showed the character we have.
“Everything is looking positive.”
Harlee hailed the impact of Sam Saunders who scored the first with a deflected shot and crossed for Clayton Donaldson to volley home.
The defender said it was important all the players believed how good they were.
“There is no hiding it, we have one of the best squads in League One,” he said.
“When players come off the bench we expect them to make an impact.
“Sometimes the starting line-up just doesn’t work.
“That’s modern football.
“Sam has been brilliant when he has come on and he was won the game for us.
“Well done to him.
“We scored loads of late goals last year and we know how fit we are.
“We are starting to believe it again.
“We are a good team, we will be up there, we just all need to know it.”
City scored in stoppage time to set up a nervous finish but Brentford held on for the win and Harlee said three points was the most important thing.
The Bees are seventh in Sky Bet League One but climbing after two straight wins and Harlee said they needed to show consistency.
A win against Shrewsbury Town at Griffin Park on Saturday could take The Bees as high as fourth and Harlee said the players could take confidence from an autumn run last season when Brentford went from mid-table in to the promotion shake-up.
“We are disappointed to concede a goal but the most important thing is three points.
“At the beginning of the season we set out a marker of where we want to be.
“To get there we have to be ruthless with each other, work harder and be better.
“We need to get a run together.
“We have been inconsistent and we need consistency to get out of this league.
“We started a run at this time last year and hopefully we can do it again.
“Confidence is growing.
“People might not realise but we know we should be doing better and it does affect us.
“We have won two out of two.
“Hopefully on Saturday we can win again.”
A full video interview with Harlee Dean is available here for Bees Player subscribers.