Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his side had to maintain their discipline to break down Huddersfield Town and get three points last night.
The Bees picked up their third home win in ten days with a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield last night.
They went ahead early on when Chris Long scored and dominated the first quarter but Huddersfield equalised against the run of play.
Mark said he spoke at half time about being patient and taking opportunities and his team responded.
Long grabbed his second soon after the restart and late goals from Alex Pritchard and Jon Toral sealed the win.
“They sat deep and we had to break them down,” said Mark, speaking after the match.
“We had to maintain our discipline and our width.
“We spoke at half time about not forcing a pass, but at the same time, take the shot if it is on.
“We came out in the second half with good energy and tempo.
“We got the early goal and we played very well.”
The win came three days after Brentford had been beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City.
They faced similar challenges with teams defending deep and Mark explained how The Bees were able to overcome it last night.
He said there are times when central midfield pair Jonathan Douglas and Toumani Diagouraga are so keen to get the ball that they both drop deep and play in front of the opposition’s defensive midfield – David Edgar for Huddersfield last night.
For the majority of the match last night one of the pair got behind the Huddersfield midfield and Brentford were able to pose a threat.
“We look at the role played by Toumani and Dougie on Saturday and today,” said Mark.
“We have players who never hide and always want the ball.
“When teams sit deep they go and get the ball and that can work against us.
“At the end of the first half today we have Toumani and Dougie so keen to get in possession they were both in front of David Edgar.
“Once we have another beyond him that caused us problems.
“That is an area we could have done better at the weekend.
“We want players all over the pitch that want the ball.
“Sometimes it can work against us and if a team has two banks of four, it is better for them to have our midfield players in front of them.
“Once they start going in behind it makes it more difficult.”
Long started a Brentford game for the first time last night and scored two goals, the first within four minutes.
The teenage striker joined The Bees in January and his current loan expires on March 21.
Mark said Everton would take Long back at that point if he wasn’t playing and he had faith in the forward to come in and start in place of Andre Gray, who has scored 13 goals this season as Brentford’s central attacker.
“Chris is a very good player,” said the Brentford boss.
“He has been chomping at the bit to start and Andre has done a magnificent job.
“We have big games coming up and we have no doubts about Chris Long’s ability, we need to trust players to come in.
“He has shown his work ethic, commitment and his ability tonight.
“He offered more than the two goals.
“He was a constant threat.
“Chris has come from a Premier League club and if he doesn’t play, Everton will take him back.
“If Everton are not happy, we lose the player.
“He is a talented player, with a natural knack of scoring goals.”
Alan Judge missed the game but Mark said he should be OK for Saturday’s trip to Ipswich Town.
“Alan Judge has had a series of injections,” explained Mark.
“He had a course of four and we had to make a decision as to when to do the fourth.
“We felt we could do it on Sunday so he would be good for the game next Saturday.”
Brentford climbed back in to the top six with the win.
They are sixth, ahead of Ipswich – who have a game in hand, and only five points behind leaders Middlesbrough.
The Bees have 61 points to their credit and Mark said his team were taking one game at a time.
“In this division 72 points has been the average to get to the Play-Offs, sixth spot, over the past five years,” said Mark.
“It has been 75 but has also been 67.
“The players are well aware of the stats but we will take one game at a time.
“After Saturday we are in to the last ten and in to home stretch.
“The players have done well to get to where they are and they don’t need motivating, now they can try and finish the job.”
The Bees face Ipswich on Saturday.
The Suffolk side could go back above Brentford if they pick up a point away to Leeds United this evening.
Mark said he could use Brentford’s performances at big away games including Leeds and Cardiff as a good sign his players would be ready for the challenge.
“Ipswich are a very experienced team, with quality and a fantastic manager,” said Mark.
“We are aware of their threat.
“It is a tough test but one we are looking forward to.
“We have gone to places like Nottingham Forest, Cardiff, Leeds and done well on the road.
“We will prepare well and hope for a good performance.”
A full post-match video interview with Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.