Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he wants to give his team’s travelling supporters a “good day out” by the seaside tomorrow.
The Bees travel south to face Brighton and Hove Albion in a Sky Bet Championship clash tomorrow, Saturday January 17.
They will be backed by more than 2,800 travelling supporters at the match, at Brighton’s American Express Community Stadium.
The game is set to be played in front of a large crowd with Brighton playing at home for the first time under new boss Chris Hughton.
Brentford were beaten by Brighton in an FA Cup tie two weeks ago and both teams won last week – The Bees beating Rotherham United at Griffin Park while their hosts were victorious at Charlton Athletic.
Mark said his team had the chances to win the cup tie but didn’t take them.
He called on his side to impose themselves on the game tomorrow and to keep their fans happy.
“We looked at them at Charlton, they made a couple of changes,” said Mark, discussing Brighton’s team.
“We will see whether they do any business before the game.
“It was a good game a couple of weeks ago; we created chances but didn’t finish them off.
“Our job is to impose ourselves.
“We have a fantastic away support and we need to produce a performance to keep them happy.
“We know most of their personnel, we have to impose ourselves.
“It will be a tough game with a big crowd eager to back the manager.
“It is a fantastic experience.
“We want to go there and give our fans a good day out.
“We had a good result last week and kept a clean sheet.
“We want to do the same, get another three points and move forward from there.”
Brentford used the indoor Academy facility at Uxbridge High School for training yesterday, Thursday January 15.
“Heavy rain overnight left the pitches sodden,” explained Mark.
“We have a great surface at the school, an indoor facility and it was a pleasure to use it.
“The Academy staff worked tirelessly to get it up and running and it is a great facility.
“The pitches are heavy here and you run the risk of injury.
“It’s not good for professional athletes every day but made sense today.”
Brentford were without Alan Judge, Lewis Macleod, Nick Proschwitz and Alan McCormack for the game against Rotherham last week.
Mark said Macleod and McCormack would definitely miss the Brighton match.
“We will see how Alan Judge is,” he said.
“He has had a jab.
“Nick Proschwitz rolled an ankle, he can’t twist and turn yet but we will see how he is.
“Alan McCormack is joining in the warm-ups and hopefully he can join the group next week.”
Scott Hogan is on the way back from a serious knee injury and has been working with a specialist in Philadelphia.
Head of Medical Neil Greig spent a week with him and Richard Clark has also been in America with the striker.
“Scott Hogan has been in a great environment,” said Mark.
“Richard Clark is out with him for the second week.
“The Club will benefit from links with a world class environment, there is no down side.
“We can share good practice.
“It is great education and everyone moves forward.”
Sam Saunders signed a new contract yesterday, keeping him at Griffin Park until next summer.
Mark said he added “great value” and had come back in to the group “full of energy” after missing much of 2014 with a knee injury.
“Sam earned his contract,” said Mark.
“He had a frustrating ten months but maintained his focus.
“He adds great value on and off the pitch.
“He trains every day and came back in full of energy.
“He earned his contract.”
The January Transfer Window is currently open.
Mark said Sporting Director Frank McParland and Owner Matthew Benham were working on deals and indicated some had been close to completion before failing late on.
He said his experience as Sporting Director meant he knew the work Frank was doing.
“We are fairly close to bringing players in but we’ll only do it if it adds value,” said Mark.
“We have been close on others as well but they have not happened.
“That is what it is like in January.
“There is lots of work going on.
“I chat to Frank every day and Matthew is involved.
“I know that side and it is so frustrating.
“It is a draining process, some go well but they are few and far between.
“This is a cut throat business and the higher you go the more vultures are after the same prey.
“You can think a deal is done and then it isn’t, it’s only done when a player signs the contract.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Mark Warburton here.