Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his players were well aware what was at stake as they entered the festive football fixtures.
The Bees are currently fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, just two points off the top of the table, after 21 games.
They travel to Cardiff City for a Championship match tomorrow, Saturday December 20, the first of three in eight days over Christmas.
The Bees host Ipswich Town on Boxing Day and travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 28 before the end of 2014.
Brentford have won six of their last seven matches, after beating Blackburn Rovers at Griffin Park last Saturday, to climb in to the Play-Off places.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player, said the players had been away for a few days last weekend but were now focussed on Cardiff.
“We had a good result on Saturday,” he said.
“The boys went away for a few days and we adjusted to that.
“They came back on Tuesday and tested well.
“They trained well on Tuesday and had a day off on Wednesday before training Thursday and Friday.
“This is a good group.
“They know what is at stake and we are right in the mix after 21 games.
“They had some good bonding time but now the focus is Cardiff.”
Brentford’s win over Blackburn came a week after a loss to Huddersfield Town.
Both teams tried a physical approach against The Bees and Mark said he hoped more teams would do so as Reading and Leeds United had already attempted it and failed.
“I hope teams try to play against us in the way Blackburn and Huddersfield did,” he said.
“We learned from Huddersfield and, don’t forget, Leeds and Reading were direct and physical and we dealt with that as well.
“We had 21 shots on goal at Huddersfield and could have got a point on another day.
“We got a good result last weekend, dealt with the physical threat and approach.
“On Saturday Cardiff have height and physicality and they are talented players.
“It will be a tough challenge for us; they have a great home record.”
Mark made one change for the win over Blackburn, bringing in Jota – who scored one and made one – for Jon Toral.
“Jon has done very well, he didn’t deserve to be left out of the side and it was a tough decision,” said Mark.
“We had to look at what worked well for us and we have to use the squad.
“We have to give ourselves the best chance to win every game.
“The squad is training well, they are hungry.
“We will see how it goes in terms of team selection.”
Mark emphasised the quality Cardiff have in attack with Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda and Nicky Maynard to call upon.
But he said if his side went to South Wales and imposed themselves on the match, they would be OK.
“We think they will play 4-4-2, dropping in to 4-4-1-1 when they are out of posession,” said Mark.
“That seems to be a common theme.
“They have a very experienced team.
“Peter Whittingham gives them good deliver and they have good height.
“Whether they play Jones, Macheda, Le Fondre or Maynard they will have quality.
“They were in the Premier League last year and it will be a real challenge.
“It is a hurdle we have to confront and overcome.
“It is a top class stadium and a good venue to play football.
“We want to go there and enjoy playing football, do what we do best.
“If we do that we are a match for anyone in the division, if we don’t, we are exposed
“We have to prepare right and try to dictate the game.”
Mark outlined his team’s Christmas plans.
“After Saturday we have six days rather than seven and then two games in three days,” he said.
“We will train on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day.
“We play Boxing Day, travel the next day.
“We will make changes if we need to give ourselves the best chance to get the points.
“This is a hard schedule but not as hard as last year when we played on New Year’s Day as well.”
More than 1,000 Brentford fans are expected to make the trip.
“The players are aware of the effort and financial outlay to follow the team,” said Mark.
“It is hugely appreciated and the players’ aim is to deliver a performance to make the effort worthwhile.
“If we do that, everyone is happy.”
A full pre-match interview with Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.