Brentford Manager Mark Warburton described his side’s pre-season friendly against OGC Nice as a “really good test”.
The Bees beat the French side 3-2 at Griffin Park yesterday afternoon.
Andre Gray put them in front inside the first 70 seconds and Alex Pritchard scored two after he visitors had equalised.
Nice pulled another back before half time but Brentford took the win after a scoreless second half.
Mark said there were many positives and Brentford learned a lot.
“I thought it was a really good test,” said the Brentford boss.
“They showed us how well they moved the ball, the quality was outstanding.
“They punished us when we were sloppy and in the last 15 minutes we saw if you give the ball away you pay the price.
“We learned a lot, there were many positives.
“They were a good side and I hope we surprised them with our quality, certainly in the first 70 minutes.
“It was an interesting challenge, I am pleased it went well and I think the players benefitted enormously.”
It was Brentford’s third pre-season game – after wins against Boreham Wood and Barnet – and it followed an 11-day training camp in Florida.
Mark gave 90 minute appearances to David Button, Nico Yennaris, Tony Craig, Jake Bidwell, Jonathon Douglas, Alex Pritchard and Alan Judge and said other players would start and finish the next friendly, against CA Osasuna on Tuesday.
The Bees then play Crystal Palace before kicking off their Sky Bet Championship season against Charlton Athletic on August 9.
“The idea was to maximise the training camp, get the fitness levels to where we wanted them to be, and we saw that at Barnet,” he explained.
“Today we had a really good test against a very high quality team.
“Seven or eight of the boys got 90 minutes, those in defence, Jonathan Douglas, Alan Judge.
“They got pitch time, that is tremendous for us.
“More will do so on Tuesday and hopefully on Thursday we will start with the squad in sync and ready for a very tough test against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“Then we are a week away.”
Scott Hogan played just 24 minutes before limping off.
Mark said he hoped it would not be too bad and said he had emphasised to the squad what the new attacking options could bring to the team.
“Scott got a kick and he rolled on his ankle,” he said.
“We hope it won’t be too serious.
“It is a shame, he came on and looked bright, Andre had an hour so all was going to plan.
“These things happen and the medical team will take over.
“Before today’s game we showed the squad some analysis of what Scott, Andre and Moses Odubajo can offer.
“We have different weapons to last year – pace, cleverness, guile and power up front.”
Mark said he encouraged fluidity in Brentford’s play and was happy that players like Pritchard, Judge and Odubajo were moving around the pitch.
He said there was no need to shout instructions from the touch line as the players knew what was required.
“We look for an attacking and fluid formation,” Mark said.
“Fluidity is the key word.
“I have no problems if players move around; if it breaks down we get our shape quickly.
“We don't have physicality so we can’t be predictable.
“We need to recognise what we do well and play to our strengths,
“We work on it every day in training, rotating positions.
“You can beat players with good pitch geography.
“We have pace and cleverness to add to what we had last year.”
Mark explained he did not want to make lots of changes and other players would be involved on Tuesday.
That would include trialists Tommy Smith and Daniel O’Shaughnessy.
“Games of this quality can be diluted by making wholesale changes,” said Mark.
“We wanted players to get 90 minutes.
“On Tuesday player like Harlee Dean, Alan McCormack, Jake Reeves will come in and get their 90 minutes so the squad is in good shape.
“Tommy Smith will start on Tuesday.
“The guys that didn’t play 90 minutes today had a tough session at the Training Ground and those that don’t play on Tuesday will train in the afternoon.
“Daniel will be involved as well.
“If Tommy carries on the way he is at the moment, I hope we will have a fruitful conversation.
“Daniel is 19 and very composed, comfortable on the ball.
“I hope he will have a club this week.”
Brentford’s next match is against Spanish side Osasuna.
“Osasuna are a technically gifted side,” said Mark.
“I wanted us to play teams that play from the back and make us work.
“We saw that today and Osasuna will be the same.
“They will pose a real threat.
“It’s another test and then we will get ready for Palace.”
Mark Warburton’s full post-match reaction can be seen here by Bees Player subscribers.