Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his side can’t afford to be “sloppy” if they are to take three points against Gillingham this evening.
The Bees face Gillingham at Griffin Park tonight, Friday January 24, in a match that will kick off at 7.45pm and be televised live by Sky Sports.
Brentford will be looking to extend their unbeaten Sky Bet League One run to 16 games and build on recent form that has seen them win 13 of their last 15 league games and take 41 points from the last 45 available.
A win tonight will also see Brentford climb back to the top of League One.
The Bees needed a stoppage time goal from Farid El Alagui to draw away to Gillingham in August.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player yesterday, said he expected a different challenge now Peter Taylor has replaced Martin Allen as Gillingham boss.
He added Brentford had to concentrate on what they do best.
“I think Gillingham will play in a different way to when we last met them,” said Mark.
“Peter Taylor will get his team playing football.
“They will still have physicality and we are aware of that.
“It is important that we do what we do best.
“If we do that we will be in good shape.
“If we are sloppy or take liberties we will pay the price.
“We have to apply ourselves and play our game.”
Mark said the players were looking forward to playing in front of the Sky cameras.
He said he hoped Brentford fans would still turn out at Griffin Park in large numbers as they had done in recent weeks.
“Every player wants to play on TV,” said Mark.
“It is a big game for Sky on a Friday night.
“I hope it doesn’t affect the crowd.
“The fans have been magnificent so far and that is a vital part going forward.”
Heavy rain has fallen in West London in the past few days and Mark said the Brentford FC Training Ground was wetter than he had even known it.
He said the players had trained well in the lead up to the match and The Bees were ready.
“The ground staff are working hard every day,” said Mark.
“It is the wettest I have ever seen the training pitches.
“The boys have done well.
“The attitude was perfect.
“I am pleased with that but the pitches are heavy.
“We have to be careful with injuries and players slipping and sliding.
“The day before a game we have to be sensible.
“Training has been at a good tempo with high intensity.
“We are ready for the game.”
Brentford drew 1-1 at Walsall last week without Harlee Dean, Adam Forshaw and Sam Saunders.
Mark updated on the injury situation ahead of the Gillingham match.
He added he did not want to make major changes to the squad in the January Transfer Window but was pleased with the recent arrivals, Alan Judge and Chuba Akpom, and wanted to add one more player.arlHarl
“Harlee Dean is out on the pitch and Adam Forshaw is running in the gym,” said Mark.
“We will see how they are and assess it from there.
“It is important the players come back when they are ready to play.
“We don’t want to rush them back too early.
“It is a long season and there are plenty of games to go.
“We will bring them back when they are ready.
“The squad is in good shape.
“There is no need for massive surgery to the squad.
“We always wanted one or two additions and we have had Alan Judge and Cuba Akpom in.
“There will be one more coming in and we are in good shape.”
Brentford face Bristol City at Griffin Park next Tuesday, January 28, a few days after Gillingham are in town.
Mark said he will watch Bristol City away to Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, Saturday January 25 and scouts would watch other matches.
He said there was a focus on beating Gillingham before looking ahead.
“There are three points at stake whether you play a top of the table team or someone down the bottom,” said Mark.
“We have to apply ourselves correctly.
“Gillingham is our focus but I am conscious of the weather forecast.
“It is heavy for Friday, heavy for Sunday and we will see how Tuesday goes.
“We want three points against Gillingham and we will go from there.
“Wolves play Bristol City on Saturday and myself and David Weir will watch that.
“We will look at other games too.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a video interview with Mark Warburton here.