Tony Craig said the result was the most important thing as Brentford beat Milton Keynes Dons yesterday.
The Bees made it 11 wins in a 12-match unbeaten Sky Bet League One run with the win at Griffin Park, three points that took them to the top of the table.
Clayton Donaldson put Brentford ahead inside two minutes and Tony, speaking to Bees Player after the match, said they played some “excellent” football early on.
Although it was only 1-0 at half time, Marcello Trotta and Sam Saunders scored just after the re-start to put The Bees clear.
MK came back well, reduced the arrears and piled on the pressure.
Tony admitted the game was harder work than it might have been at the end but the result was all important.
“We started off very brightly,” said the Brentford captain.
“For the first 20 to 25 minutes we played some excellent stuff.
“The early goal breeds confidence and it was unfortunate we couldn’t get more at that time.
“We did really well and were creating chances, which is always a good thing.
“As a defender you have to be switched on as one mistake could cost us.
“In the second half we got two goals from good finishes.
“When the second went in and then got the third, that helped us.
“They got a goal back and perhaps it was harder work than it should have been.
“But the three points was most important.”
Brentford’s early goal came when MK defender Shaun Williams appeared to lose the ball in the sun, Clayton Donaldson out-muscled Dean Lewington and smashed home.
Tony said it was the visitors’ decision to face the sun.
“They won the toss and they changed ends,” he explained.
“We had a talk and if I had won it we would have changed it anyway.
“It worked out well.
“The sun was very low.
“They changed it, that gave us advantage.
“When we were warming up I was heading in to the sun and it wasn’t nice.
“I don’t know if it made a difference for our first goal, if it did, every little helps.”
Tony said Brentford had to give credit to MK for the way they attacked in the later stages.
The central defender said the visitors put The Bees under real pressure but he enjoyed the challenge.
Brentford have conceded three goals in their last two games, having conceded only two in the previous eight League One matches.
Tony said he wanted to get back to keeping clean sheets.
“You have to give MK Dons credit, they are a good side and play good football,” said the defender.
“They caused us problems.
“They got in behind us and created chances but thankfully it was our day.
“They had appeals for a penalty but the referee didn’t give it so we just move on.
“As a defender, when teams are attacking us it is a good time.
“You put your body on the line, defend well and talk to each other.
“Last 20 minutes, they were relentless, but we had chances on the break too.
“It is a good win and we are top of the league.
“We have always been a good attacking force, as a defence, we pride ourselves on clean sheets.
“We just want as many clean sheets as possible, unfortunately we couldn’t get one today.
“As we are attacking well, we don’t need clean sheets to win games at the moment.
“But we pride ourselves on them.
“We were on a run a few games ago where we had lots of clean sheets, we want to get back to that as soon as possible.”
Brentford are at the halfway point in League One with 49 points from 23 games and are top of the table.
They travel to Peterborough United for their next game on New Year’s Day, Wednesday January 1.
“We have a good points total and we are top of the league but we are taking nothing for granted,” said Tony.
“We are just taking it a game at a time and now looking forward to Peterborough.
“It will be a very good test.
“Peterborough have good attacking players, that is their strength.
“We will enjoy this win and then come in tomorrow and look forward to Peterborough.
“With the position we are in, we want to play games as quickly as possible.
“We will be fresh enough on New Year’s Day to give a good account of ourselves against Peterborough.
A full post-match interview with Tony Craig is available here for Bees Player subscribers.