Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was looking forward to his side going up against a “very good footballing team” tomorrow.
The Bees welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Griffin Park tomorrow, Saturday September 13, for a Sky Bet Championship fixture.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player ahead to the match, said Brighton would look to dominate the ball.
He said his team would try to do the same and he expected a good game for viewers.
“Brighton are a very good footballing team,” said Mark.
“They play the game in the right way, look to get on the ball, pass it and dominate it.
“We do that as well.
“I think it will be a good game for the neutral.
“We know their strengths, they look to get in to the pockets, work the channels.
“We have to be focussed and I am looking forward to it.”
Brentford have not played for two weeks – since a win over Rotherham United – and Mark gave his players four days off while international fixtures were taking place.
Mark said the Brentford staff had to learn to do with international breaks and they would know after the Brighton match how they had handled it.
But he added the initial signs were good.
“The players got a well-deserved rest and have come back really sharp,” said Mark.
“I am really pleased with training, the players look bright and sharp and there is an intensity.
“I am delighted so far.
“It was a learning curve for us.
“It has been so far so good and I can tell you on Friday how we feel we have handled it.
“The players have trained well and the screening is good.”
Striker Scott Hogan had surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday and Sam Saunders is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee problem.
Mark updated Brentford fans on their progress.
“Scott has had everything done that needed to be done and will be in hospital until Saturday,” he said.
“We will see him and the rehab will start.
“It will be tough, there will be hard days but there is a unity and we must do everything possible to get him on the pitch.
“We are pleased with Sam.
“Sam is two weeks in to a four week plan and progress is being made.
“The sooner we get Sam out there the better and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“There are no other injury concerns.
“We have a tough period of games but the quality is there and we are looking forward to it.”
Brentford had two players away playing international football last week.
Alex Pritchard was with England Under-21 while Daniel O’Shaughnessy was with Finland Under-21 – Stuart Dallas was called up by Northern Ireland but was sent back to Brentford with a quad problem.
“We had good feedback on Alex and Daniel,” said Mark.
“Daniel played two 90 minutes and scored a goal, we are delighted for him.
“It is a great honour to play for your country.
“Alex didn’t get as much pitch time as he would have wanted but has been introduced to the squad and the culture of England Under-21.
“Everything is positive.
“We have to learn about how he has come back.
“I hope when the players go on international duty they get a chance to talk about Brentford and their daily routines.
“It is important that people know that we are doing things right.
“The job isn’t finished but we have made progress and having a player in an England squad is another sign of that.”
Mark said his players were desperate to get back on the pitch.
“We finished training 25 minutes ago and the players are still out there,” he said.
“The boys don’t want to come in.
“We have to be careful of that.
“You have to maintain energy levels, they had a break and they want to play.
“You have to make sure you are prepared for Saturday, that is the key.”
A full video interview with Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.
Tickets are still available for the match against Brighton - more information is available here.