James Tarkowski said he needed more game time under his belt before the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship season kicked off.
The central defender played 45 minutes in Brentford’s pre-season win against Boreham Wood on Thursday and spoke to Bees Player after the match.
He said he played OK and felt fine but needed to get the rustiness out of his game.
James said Brentford played well, particularly in the second half, but the game was more about fitness than performance or result.
“I feel alright, but I feel I need a bit more game time under my belt before the season starts,” said the defender.
“It is nice to get out on the pitch and get some football played.
“I played OK; you never expect to be at your best in the first game.
“There were one or two things I am not happy with.
“But this is about getting the rustiness out.
“Pre-season is about fitness.
“I need as much match time as I can and I will hope to get that over the next few weeks.
“You need a level of fitness as there is a long season ahead.
“We have also had time without kicking a football and need to get back on the ball.
“I thought we played OK as a team.
“There are things to work on and we have a few weeks to do that.
“The lads in the second half were good, played slick football, created chances but it is just about fitness.”
Brentford have just returned from a pre-season training camp in Florida.
James said it was hard work in hot and humid conditions but was enjoyable and the benefits were already apparent.
“America was about fitness in the main,” he said.
“It was tough out there; the weather was hot and humid.
“It was hard to train in, I think that was part of the reason we went.
“It was enjoyable, tough days and long days but worth doing.
“We are seeing benefits, I feel better when training.
“After 15 minutes out there you are dripping with sweat, having said that, the last few days here have been hot.”
James is in the middle of his first Brentford pre-season, having joined from Oldham Athletic in January.
He said he was looking forward to life in The Championship and a pre-season programme that included games against OGC Nice, RCD Espanyol and Crystal Palace.
“It was a great end to the season,” said the defender.
“I only came in January so I saw half, but the good half.
“We celebrated well, I enjoyed my time off and I am looking forward to The Championship.
“It is good to test yourself in pre-season.
“We are stepping up a level as a team, it will be a different level and tougher for us.
“If we can test ourselves against teams a level above that, we can see where we are at.”
James partnered Tony Craig in the centre of defence at the end of last season.
Harlee Dean, who had been first choice for almost two years, missed the end of the season injured but is now back.
James said he relished the competition and was enthused by the signings like Moses Odubajo and Andre Gray and the fact Brentford were looking to sign more high-level players.
“When you have the sort of competition for places we have, you have to go out and play well when you get the chance,” he said.
“Not every player will be fit all season.
“When you get a chance to play, you have to play well.
“It’s not just at centre back; there is strength in depth all over the pitch.
“Everyone is fighting for places and it is good competition.
“When you look at the players we are signing, it is looking positive.
“We are spending money on good quality players like Moses and Andre and we are looking at players from the Premier League.
“We are getting good players in to the Club and we can look forward to a good season.
“It takes time to gel but we have a good set of lads.”
James Tarkowski’s full post-match interview is available here for Bees Player subscribers.