Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he did not believe “for one second” that the teams chasing The Bees for automatic promotion from Sky Bet League One had given up the race.
The Bees are currently second in League One with four games to go.
They are seven points ahead of Leyton Orient, who are third, and eight ahead of the next two clubs, Rotherham United and Preston North End.
There has been some suggestion in media comments that teams below Brentford are preparing for the Play-Offs but Mark said that is only what he expected to hear in public.
The Bees face Preston at Griffin Park tomorrow, Good Friday, April 18, and can eliminate them from the race with a win.
Mark said his side want to get as many points as they can and were excited about what was to come.
“I do not for one second think teams below us have stopped chasing,” he told Bees Player.
“If I was in their position I would say the same and privately tell the players ‘we have a chance’.
“Everyone does it; it is how the psychology of the game works.
“We are aware of the situation, we are seven points clear, we are in a good position.
“We have to do what we do well.
“We have four games left and will try to get as many points as we can.
“If this sort of match doesn’t excite you, you shouldn’t be in the game.
“We have a sell-out crowd, good weather forecast, good playing surface.
“The players are excited, they have trained with real intensity and are doing extra work.
“We will be ready.
“We have moved the week back to play on Friday and I am pleased with how it has gone.”
Brentford’s last match was a defeat to Swindon Town last Saturday.
They dominated the match but conceded a goal late in the first half and couldn’t find a leveller.
It leaves them six points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have secured promotion.
“The players were frustrated with the Swindon game,” said Mark.
“They know they should have got something out of it.
“We played well for long periods.
“The focus now is Preston.
“We knew there would be twists and turns.
“On Friday we have Wolves playing Rotherham, Orient have to go to Crawley, who have hit form.
“There are no easy games.
“We want to put on a good show for the fans.”
Preston have made changes to their team in recent weeks, playing different systems.
Mark said that was no concern.
“We focus on ourselves, being worried about the opposition has a negative effect,” he said.
“They have played 4-4-2 recently and also used 3-5-2, we will be aware of their shape.
“We will adjust to what they do, the boys are prepared.
“It is about what we do well.
“I am happy.”
The Bees follow their match against Preston with a trip to Milton Keynes Dons on Easter Monday.
They need just six points to clinch promotion and will be in The Championship at 5pm on Monday with two wins.
“This is a special time if you are in the mix,” said Mark.
“It is not special if you are fighting relegation and looking for every point.
“We have a nice pressure and are enjoying it.”
Sam Saunders, who has been out injured since mid-January, is back in contention to play.
“Sam has done well,” said Mark.
“It is credit to the medical team, who have done well with him, and to Sam’s application that he is ready.
“He has come through training and is in contention.”
Brentford have an Under-15 team in Italy for a friendly against Inter Milan.
Mark said he had done something similar when working at Watford and it gave the players a challenge they could learn from.
“I got the Watford boys over there,” he said.
“The players talk about that game, players like Lee Hodson, Marvin Sordell, Rob Kiernan, playing top level football.
“This is the type of challenge they need.
“Inter Milan have great people, they will look after the boys.
“The players benefitted, the more you challenge the players the better chance they have.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Mark Warburton here.