Brentford Manager Mark Warburton hailed his players for their implementation of the game plan as The Bees comprehensively beat fellow promotion rivals Preston North End.
The Bees started the day third in Sky Bet League One, with Preston in fourth, but ended it within a point of leaders Leyton Orient after a 3-0 win at Deepdale.
Adam Forshaw scored the opener from the penalty spot, after Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd had inexplicably come flying out and clattered Clayton Donaldson by the touchline, and then set up the second for Marcello Trotta.
David Button saved a second half penalty before Sam Saunders made it three in the second half.
Preston started with three central defenders and Mark, speaking after the match, said he knew Brentford could exploit it.
“We had a plan and the players had to show discipline and character to implement it,” said the Brentford boss.
“From the first whistle we moved the ball quickly and worked the channels.
“We had worked on that in training.
“We got the two goals and I was really pleased the way the players kept pushing for more.
“In the second half we dropped a bit deep for ten to 15 minutes and invited them on a little bit.
“But once we got our high line back we dominated the game.
“They played 3-5-2, that poses us problems defensively.
“But it gives us options offensively; it gives us channels to play in.
“We felt they were vulnerably wide.
“It worked for us.”
Mark made one change from the team which beat Oldham Athletic in his first game in charge last week, bringing Marcello Trotta in up front in place of Will Grigg.
The goal at Deepdale came a few days after Marcello had scored for Italy’s Under-21 side in a friendly.
Mark emphasised that it would be a squad effort if The Bees were to achieve their aims this season.
He said the players currently in the First Team trained and played hard to keep their places and others trained to try and take the shirts off them.
He said that was the way every successful team works.
“I spoke to both Marcello and Will Grigg before the match,” said Mark.
“It is not about one or the other, there will be times when we play both.
“Trotta went away with the Italian Under-21 side this week, did well and scored a goal.
“I thought he could control the ball well and bring others in to the game.
“He did it well, he allowed us to link play and get beyond them, after it took him ten minutes or so to get in to the game.
“It is a squad game.
“We are not working with 11, 14 or 18, we have a whole squad.
“People like Shaleum Logan have been outstanding for two years and can’t get selected.
“He is training well.
“We will use the squad.
“Every player knows that if they fall below the standard they may lose their shirt.
“And if they do, they may not get it back for a few weeks.
“We have to have that and I believe every successful team does.
“Without that we are doomed to failure.”
Mark hailed David Button’s performance as “tremendous”.
The goalkeeper saved a second half penalty from Joe Garner with the score at 2-0 and stood up strong to Preston’s set pieces and deliveries in to the box.
Mark said David had learned from his previous mistakes – when he cost Brentford a goal when he was robbed in possession at Stevenage – and was dealing with the pressure for his place.
“David Button was tremendous,” said Mark.
“People learn from their mistakes.
“David learned in terms of character, decision making.
“He had Richard Lee and the boys behind him who are always pushing for a spot.
“He is dealing with the pressure.”
Brentford closed to within one point of Leyton Orient and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the top of League One with the win.
Mark said the team are two games in to a five game run that culminates against Peterborough United on New Year’s Day and would now look to the Boxing Day game against Swindon Town at Griffin Park.
He said the win at Deepdale would give Brentford self-belief to produce more similar performances.
“It is a long season,” said Mark.
“The boys set a five game target, we are two games in, we will see how we go on Boxing Day.
“This result sends out a powerful message.
“We are not arrogant but we came here and did a very, very good job.
“The boys have a lot of self-belief.
“We know we are in good shape tactically, technically and physically.
“The key is getting it right mentally.
“When we do, the result is what you see today.”
Bees Player subscribers can see Mark Warburton’s full post-match press conference here.