Brentford’s recent run of one defeat in six matches means they go into the international break in much better shape than they did last month according to Bees captain Jake Bidwell.
The Bees picked up 13 points from six games played after October’s break, lifting them from just outside the relegation zone to within striking distance of the Play-Offs in the Sky Bet Championship.
Now ahead of the fixture-less weekend Jake said it is important that the team enjoys their mini-break and then comes back ready to pick up where they left off when the league season re-commences next Saturday at home to Nottingham Forest.
“We are in a lot better position now than when we went into the last international break,” said Jake, speaking to Bees Player earlier this week. “We have had a good five weeks and now we have a chance to put our feet up, have a rest, and then come back firing after the break. Getting the rest now is important because it is our last break for a while. The Christmas period is our busiest period of the season so it is important to take the rest now while you can get it. We want to come back refreshed and ready to kick on again.
“The last international break came at a good time for us and maybe we didn’t need this one now given the run that we have been on. However it is a chance that we have to take to rest up and then come back and put another run together like the last break. We get three days off but we have probably had six days worth of work in three days. We have worked hard for the last three days to earn the break. Everybody is looking forward to a bit of time at home. The foreign players have a chance to go home and see their families so it is good for everyone.”
Jake feels that last month’s run of good form, which included a run of four straight league wins, has changed the outlook around the club as they set their sights higher up the league table.
The expected return to full fitness of Jota, Maxime Colin and Josh McEachran in the coming weeks will provide another boost to the group said Jake, who believes there is still plenty more to come from The Bees.
“Last time I spoke to Bees Player I said that everybody adds something to the squad but they have to start showing it and I think over the last month or so we have done that,” said Jake. “I think there is still more to come and we have three or four players to come back and add to the squad which is only going to help us. They will be like new signings for us and we have got a lot to look forward to.
“The way that this month had gone everyone is now looking at this season in a completely different light. A month ago everyone was wondering if we were going to stay out of the bottom three and now, after the run that we have had, everyone is thinking where are we going to end up. It could be the top six and that just shows the way that the season has turned round for us. We know that if we take our foot off the gas it could just as easily swing the other way so we have to keep working hard and hopefully we can carry on the good momentum after the break.”
The 22-year-old was made captain at the start of the season and the left-back said he is enjoying the extra responsibility that leading the side brings.
“I have enjoyed the captaincy in the main,” said Jake. “It is not easy when you are losing games, and everybody is going to say that you will enjoy it more when you are winning games. I have enjoyed the responsibility but it is an easy dressing room to be honest. There are no bad eggs and with senior pros like Alan McCormack, Harlee Dean, Toumani Diagouraga,, James Tarkowski and Alan Judge you don’t have to worry about anyone not doing their jobs because they are a great bunch of lads. In terms of age some of us, like Harlee, James and myself, are still young in terms of games we have played as many games as a 26 year old. In that respect we have got a lot of experience and the age is not the be all and end all.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Jake below