Jake Bidwell said Brentford’s recent form mean they are “there to be shot at” by the rest of Sky Bet League One.
The Bees had won eight League One games on the spin before a 1-1 draw with Walsall on Saturday and moved to the top of the table.
The draw extended Brentford’s unbeaten run to 15 League One games but Leyton Orient climbed back to the top of the table.
Brentford went ahead when Jake crossed for Clayton Donaldson to head in but Walsall equalised just before half time.
Jake said the match at Walsall was difficult and the hosts played well, but Brentford had to expect teams to play well against them now.
He said The Bees still had chances to win even though they weren’t at their best and a point was better than none.
“Before the game we were top of the league,” said Jake, speaking to Bees Player: Match Day Live after the game.
“When that happens you are there to be shot at.
“Teams step up their game against the leaders.
“We have to expect that every week now.
“It is a difficult game and a point is better than none.
“We would have liked to have won but we weren’t at our best and will take a point and move on.
“We had chances to win it, even though we weren’t at our best.
“We probably had the better chances overall, which says a lot about the quality of the squad.
“It is another point and we move on.
“We are trying to win every game.
“It sounds stupid but the more games we win the more chance we have of going up.
“We believe we can win every game and will be trying our best to do that.”
Jake said his role in Brentford’s goal was something he had worked on in training.
Jonathan Douglas started the move and Alan Judge played the ball for Jake to cross, Clayton Donaldson headed home at the back post.
Walsall equalised when Brentford couldn’t clear a corner seconds before half time.
“I have been working hard at that for a while,” said Jake, describing his role in the goal.
“Hopefully that pays off.
“When someone puts one in the back of the net, I’m delighted.
“If there is a perfect time to score it is just before or after half time.
“Maybe the result would have been different if we had gone in 1-0 up at half time.
“We couldn’t ride it out and they got the goal.”
The Bees had won six games in a row before Walsall since Mark Warburton took over as Brentford Manager and Jake said Saturday’s match was the toughest in that run.
He said The Bees defended well to ensure they came away with something.
“It is probably fair to say this is the toughest game we have played since Mark Warburton took over,” said Jake.
“They are not in the Play-Off places for no reason.
“They are where they are on merit and there are some good teams below them.
“They showed today how good they were.
“We were solid at the back.
“It was disappointing to concede right on half time but they had another spell towards the end that we managed to see out.
“Overall, as a unit, we defended well.”
More than 1,000 Brentford fans made the trip to Walsall.
Jake said he hoped the “brilliant” away support continued for the rest of the season.
“We have come to expect the support of the fans now,” he said.
“Everywhere we go they come in great numbers.
“It is brilliant to see.
“I hope they carry on until the end of the season.”
The best bits from Saturday’s Bees Player: Match Day Live will be available soon.