Jonathan Douglas said he generated some laughs when he pledged to score in Brentford’s Sky Bet League One win against Gillingham on Friday, then promptly did just that.
Jonathan volleyed home a Jake Bidwell cross in the first half to put The Bees one up.
Brentford went on to win 2-1 with Marcello Trotta scoring what proved to be the winner from the penalty spot in the second half.
Jonathan spoke to Bees Player: Match Day Live after the win and explained he had a slightly different role against Gillingham.
He usually plays with Adam Forshaw and George Saville in midfield and breaks up the opposition play, letting the pair attack.
With Adam Forshaw injured Alan McCormack played in midfield and Jonathan said that gave him licence to go forward.
“It was a great ball by Jake,” said Jonathan, describing the goal.
“Playing alongside Alan, I know he will sit for me and vice versa.
“I told a few people I would score and they laughed at me.
“It is nice to score and give some of the lads up front a break.
“My main aim is to break down play.
“We have a mentality where we have a back five, with me, and the rest play.
“The lads need that assurance and I provide that.
“Usually I let Adam and George go, today with Alan in the middle, I have licence to go forward.
“It is nice to score and, more importantly, nice to win.”
Friday’s match was played in heavy rain.
The Griffin Park pitch started wet and got heavier as the evening wore on.
Jonathan said Brentford broke their visitors down and showed they could play in whatever conditions they had to.
“We played some good stuff and deserved to take the lead,” he said.
“Conditions weren’t great, but we can play on anything.
“We have a talented squad and we showed it today.
“We tried to pass it and we broke them down.”
Brentford’s second was a Marcello Trotta penalty.
It was his first spot kick for Brentford since the last day of the 2012/13 season.
On that occasion, in the last seconds of the season, he hit the crossbar against Doncaster Rovers when a goal would have seen Brentford promoted.
This time, at the same end, he slotted it home and gave Brentford a lead that Gillingham couldn’t pull back.
Jonathan said he was delighted for the striker, on his second loan spell from Fulham.
“Trotta was top of the list and Kevin O’Connor would have been next,” said Jonathan.
“It was clear to everyone who would take it.
“Marcello has been brilliant since he came back.
“In training he gives everything and I am delighted for him.
“The lads love him and he scores goals.”
Gillingham pulled a goal back almost immediately and goalkeeper David Button had to make a few saves to ensure The Bees got over the line.
Jonathan said Brentford needed to take their chances and ensure they put teams away.
“We let them back in,” he said.
“We should have been out of sight and we should have finished them off.
“In other games we will get punished.
“We have to address that.
“We created chances and need to take them.
“They put the pressure on but we held out and are top of the league so we are delighted.
“David Button has done well for us and Richard Lee pushes him all the way.”
The best bits from Friday’s Bees Player: Match Day Live will be available soon.