Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he expected his team to rise to the “tough challenge” of playing Norwich City at Carrow Road tomorrow.
The Bees, fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, travel to Norfolk tomorrow, Saturday January 24, for a match that will kick off at 3pm.
Their hosts are seventh in the table and will be looking to climb in to the Play-Off places with a win.
They will also be looking to complete a double over Brentford after unjustly winning 3-0 at Griffin Park in September.
Brentford had the better of the first half at Griffin Park and had a clear penalty turned down after falling behind midway through the second half.
Mark said Brentford would face a squad packed full of quality at Carrow Road tomorrow, and with a new manager – Alex Neil – in place but they could deal with it.
“I thought we played really well last time and deserved something out of the evening,” said Mark, speaking to Bees Player yesterday.
“The penalty on Alex Pritchard will long stick in my mind.
“I think 3-0 flatted Norwich but we are under no illusions that we face a tough challenge on Saturday.
“They are at home, a capacity crowd, great venue, a squad packed full of quality and a new manager.
“It will be a tough challenge but one we will rise to.”
Mark said he though Norwich would use Cameron Jerome, who scored two at Griffin Park, and Gary Hooper but could not be sure.
He said the January Transfer Window, with bids coming in for players, could change any team at short notice.
“They may play 4-4-1-1 with Jerome and then Hooper in behind,” said Mark.
“We are aware of their personnel.
“The January Transfer Window can impact things.
“We saw Rudy Gestede not play for Blackburn Rovers because of a bid and there are rumours of Premier League interest in Norwich players.
“We will wait and see what the team sheet shows us.
“It is a tough test but one we are looking forward to.”
Brentford face Norwich on the back of consecutive 1-0 victories – beating Brighton and Hove Albion last week and Rotherham United the week before.
They were without Scott Hogan, who has a long term knee problem, Nick Proschwitz, Alan McCormack, Lewis Macleod and Alan Judge at Brighton.
Mark updated on the injuries.
“Alan McCormack trained for 45 minutes today,” he said.
“He did the possession part of training.
“Alan Judge had a second jab, which has gone well, we look forward to him making progress.
“Lewis has been out with the medical team.
“We are getting there [wit Nick as well] but won’t rush players back.”
Andre Gray scored the only goal as Brentford won at Brighton.
The Bees had a man advantage for the last half hour with the hosts reduced to ten but couldn’t make the game safe.
Mark and Brentford’s players spoke after the game about aspects of the win they were disappointed with.
But he said yesterday the win had sent a message to the league, especially as Brighton beat Ipswich Town a few days later.
“The fact is that we have gone to Brighton, won 1-0 and kept another clean sheet,” said Mark yesterday.
“Any disappointment shows how far we have come.
“There are many positives but we could have finished the game off earlier, we were under pressure for the last five minutes and they squandered opportunities.
“It could have been 1-1.
“At 1-0 we were playing like it was three or four.
“We had posession but without penetration and purpose, we didn’t create many chances and wasted the ones we did get.
“The game should have been out of sight.
“They beat Ipswich last night, they are a good team and we sent a powerful message.”
Brentford have added to their squad this week, signing Chris Long on loan from Everton.
“We have to move forward,” said Mark.
“I first saw Chris Long when he was 13.
“We took Watford teams to Everton and our Under-13s lost 4-0, Chris scored all four goals.
“He is a very impressive striker with good technique.
“He receives the ball well, comes short and works in behind.
“He will be a valuable addition.”
Mark said Sporting Director Frank McParland and Owner Matthew Benham were still working on more additions.
“There is potential for more,” he added.
“We have been tracking one or two for a long while.
“Negotiations can take a while.
“Frank and his team and the owner are working on it.
“We have created an animal in the Transfer Window, it is a real event.
“We try to not get drawn in to the melee.
“There are ten days to go yet and a lot of work being down behind the scenes.”
Mark has spent time away from Brentford’s Training ground this week.
He was at St George’s Park to attend the FA UEFA Pro-Licence course with, among others, former England internationals Scott Parker and Phil Neville.
The course will take him 18 months – including a trip to the UEFA European Under-21 Championships – and is the final coaching qualification available.
“It was really enjoyable,” said Mark.
“It is a fantastic course, I have tried for many years to get on it.
“I am thankful to get on this year.
“There is a good group of players, managers and coaches you can learn from and lessons you can bring back to the Club and utilise.
“It was a really good three days, we go back in March and then in June we go to the Under-21 Championships.
“It is important for me personally, I want to broaden my education and make new contacts.
“It is great connections and an enjoyable course.
“It is a high award and one you have to earn.”
A full video interview with Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.