Mark Warburton was delighted with the manner of Brentford’s win as they secured a Play-Off spot after a 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Griffin Park.
The Bees went into the final day of the season outside the top six but a comfortable win over the already-relegated Latics, thanks to goals from Alex Pritchard, Jota and Andre Gray, and results elsewhere saw Mark’s side into a fifth-placed finish.
Mark felt Brentford’s performance belied any hints of pressure or nerves and, given what was riding on the match, that was especially pleasing to The Bees boss.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Mark said: “I am delighted for the players.
“That may be the easy answer but I mean that sincerely.
“They came out under those conditions today and performed like that.
“We spoke before about controlling what we can control.
“We can control here but we couldn’t control what was away from here.
“We knew there would be twists and turns away, which there were.
“We spoke before the game about doing certain things if we knew that we needed another goal.
“We knew how things were going and there were 11,000 Bees here giving us a small clue about what was going on.
“The boys kept their composure and didn’t stop playing.
“There was a spell of about four of five minutes where we went long and that isn’t us.
“We looked to play and I am delighted for the players.
“To have worked as hard as they have worked all season and be where they are now is great for them.
“The season isn’t over now, there are two more huge games and hopefully there will be a third one to follow.
“Everything the players had done in pre-season and all the trials and tribulations of the last 45 games boiled down to those 45 minutes and them going out and being the best that they could be.
“I didn’t want them to look back at the final whistle and say that I left something in the dressing room.
“It was a magnificent performance on their part.
“We had a spell where we hit the bar and the post and we were looking for the goals.
“I am delighted for them and proud of them.
“It is a young squad that is well led by some senior professionals like Jonathan Douglas, Tony Craig, Alan McCormack and Tommy Smith.
“They have done a magnificent job and the balance is good.
“We have been underdogs, given we only just got promotion, but to deal with all that and get the reward is fantastic.”
Wigan, whose second relegation in three seasons was confirmed on Tuesday night, started brightly and had the upper-hand until Alex Pritchard’s deflected free-kick put The Bees in front.
After that it was the hosts who dominated and added further goals in the second-half as Jota finished neatly following a Moses Odubajo pass before the Spaniard turned creator for Andre Gray to score.
Mark felt that once The Bees got to grips with Wigan’s system they started the boss the game.
The Brentford manager added that it was pleasing to see three different goalscorers again, showing the attacking talent within the group.
“Wigan came out and they were a very dangerous opponent,” said Mark.
“They knew their situation and they knew their fate was sealed.
“They came here with a very talented squad of players, a new manager and board they are keen to impress and freedom to take some risks.
“In the first 20 minutes they played with a three, pushed their wing-backs, Emmerson Boyce and Gaëtan Bong on, and tried to drag back our high players.
“We had to be brave there and after 25 minutes we worked it out and got it right.
“From then on it was our game.
“What is most pleasing is that our goals have come from a variety of sources.
“Andre Gray has 17 goals in the Sky Bet Championship, having come from conference football, and that is outstanding.
“Then you look at Jota, Jonathan Douglas, Alex Pritchard, Alan Judge and Stuart Dallas and goals have come from a variety of different areas which is really pleasing for us.”
The win sets up a Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi Final against Middlesbrough for a a place in the final later this month.
The Teesiders did the double over Brentford in the regular season after a 4-0 win at The Riverside back in September and a 1-0 win at Griffin Park in January.
Mark is well aware of the threat that Aitor Karanka’s side will pose but has backed in his side to put in a good performance in the home leg at Griffin Park this Friday evening.
“It is important that the players enjoy this moment, in the changing room and with the fans who have been fantastic yet again,” said Mark.
“These are the memories that live long but we have to make sure the focus is right for another very tough opponent.
“They came here for a game on Sky where we did very well but we lost 1-0 to a penalty despite having a lot of chances.
“Up there we had a tough time, probably our toughest of the season, but we have to go there deliver a performance and hopefully get a good result.
“People are shocked by the results today but you need to look at the results all season.
“Anyone beats anyone and it is a bizarre, incredible league.
“Someone warned me after promotion last season that you never know what will happen in the Championship and after one season you know they are speaking the truth.
“Our focus is on what we can control and we can control our preparation and hopefully deliver another great performance in front of a packed Griffin Park.”
Mark said he blamed himself for The Bees’ wobble in form around the time that speculation regarding his future as Brentford manager was made public.
Brentford were beaten 2-1 at Griffin Park by Watford before meekly going down 3-0 away at Charlton Athletic.
The Brentford manager said it was up to him to get the players up emotionally and physically after the defeat to The Hornets which he failed to do.
However the former Brentford sporting director was full of praise for the way his side has since bounced back from those setbacks.
“The immediate aftermath of January was my mistake,” said Mark.
“We played Watford here and we didn’t take into account the physical demand on the players.
“With Jake Bidwell getting sent off in the 38th minute, they worked so hard against a talented team.
“They worked so hard here and then to lose in the manner they did right at the end of the game was very disheartening.
“I didn’t realise the emotional side of it and Charlton Athletic away was a poor performance from all the players and the staff.
“Everyone was flat and that was my fault and nobody elses.
“The response from that was tremendous and it re-enforced what we know about this group of players.
“The average age is young but our senior pros have been outstanding all season.
“They are hungry for success: they tasted it last year and now they want more of it.
“The results went our way today and we are fifth in the table but all the focus now is on a good performance on Friday night.”