Harlee Dean said Brentford’s victory over Crawley Town was a “good win” but promised there was more to come from The Bees.
Brentford beat the Sussex side, who started the day third in npower League One, 2-1 with Clayton Donaldson scoring twice.
Harlee, speaking to Bees player after the match, said Brentford played well in the first half but not as well after the break.
“This is a win that sends out a strong message,” said the defender.
“Crawley are up there, as are we now.
“We have drawn too many games this season but this was a good win.
“In the first half we definitely played well.
“We passed it well, the idea was to keep playing and be brave.
“In the second half, we lost our braveness.
“We could have passed it more.
“We gave them the initiative.
“There is more to come from us.
“It was a good result and three points against a team that is expected to be up there at the end of the season.
“We didn’t beat a lot of the top teams last year, it’s progression.”
Harlee hailed Clayton Donaldson’s contribution to the team and his goals.
“I told Clayton to believe he was going to score,” he said.
“He gets in so many good positions.
“He has everything; he works so hard for the team.
“Even when he doesn’t score he gives us work rate.
“Today he gave us both.”
Harlee said Crawley had provided a physical test but Brentford were up to the task.
“We thought they would play a bit more,” he said.
“We had to adapt our game plan.
“They played it long and we dealt with it.
“We tried to win the headers and the midfield two won the second balls.
“Physical battles are part and parcel of it in this league.
“The whole team were up for it.
“We knew we had to win it and we won it.”
Brentford have 17 points from their first 11 games of the 2012/13 season and have almost reached the on quarter mark of the campaign.
Harlee said it was too early to look at league positions or points tallies.
“I don’t think there is any point looking at the table and we are not worried about how many points we have now,” he said.
“We have only lost two games.
“We have drawn more than we should have but we have scored twice in the last minute to get draws.
“We are unbeaten in five at home and have only lost one all season.
“We can take positives from the way we have played this season and have young players who have shown what they are about.”
A full Bees Player video interview with Harlee Dean is available here.