Mark Warburton was pleased with the way that his Brentford side stuck to their task as they brushed aside Blackpool in a one sided Sky Bet Championship match on Tuesday evening.
The Seasiders came into the match bottom of the table and quickly found themselves 2-0 behind as Jon Toral scored a three minute brace just after the quarter hour.
Things got worse for Lee Clark’s side as Charles Dunne was shown a straight red just before the break for a wild lunge on Jota.
The Bees continued to create chances but had to wait until seven minutes after the break to get a third as Andre Gray fired home with the aid of a deflection.
Toral, on a season long loan from Arsenal, wrapped up his perfect hat-trick in the 89th minute with a close range finish.
In total Brentford had 42 attempts on goal, 10 more than any side has managed in the top two divisions this season, and enjoyed 74% possession.
Speaking to Bees Player after match Mark said it was important to get a fast start and put Blackpool under pressure early on.
The Brentford manager added that he was pleased with the way his side did not allow their standards to drop even when the result had become a formality.
“I thought it was a good performance,” said Mark.
“We wanted to come and start fast because I was wary about tonight.
“We weren’t sure of the personnel they would use.
“They had been very aggressive and positive of late, committing men forward.
“We knew we had to be at it tonight.
“I thought we started the game really well.
“In a non-arrogant way if teams come and change their formations for us then that is an advantage for us.
“When we looked at the teamsheet we thought they would go to three at the back which would allow Stuart Dallas to get forward which he did superbly well today.
“We had to maintain our width as they were condensing the middle and we wanted to move it quickly.
“There wasn’t time for the extra third or fourth touch we wanted to move it one or two touch in the tight area and find the pockets.
“Doing that can hurt them and it worked out quite well.
“There were times where we lost our patience a little bit.
“I think we didn’t realise that we had more time and there was time for one more pass.
“Jon Toral, Alex Pritchard, Moses Odubajo, Jota, Stuart Dallas and Jonathan Douglas all had some really good play getting forward.
“We had a chat at half-time and again they came on in the second-half and were very good.
“They are professionals and they have to do a job.
“Every player and staff member would say that we don’t want to lose our sharpness, discipline and professionalism.
“We keep moving the ball and creating chances.
“If we can do that then we are in good shape.”
Jon Toral’s three goals were his first for Brentford since November and the first hat-trick by a Brentford player since Gary Alexander in January 2012.
His first came as he rolled home left footed from close range after good Brentford build up play down the left.
The second arrived two minutes later as he rose highest to plant Andre Gray’s cross past Joe Lewis while Lewis was again powerless to prevent Toral’s third as he prodded home James Tarkowski’s header at the back post.
Mark was delighted with Jon’s contribution to the match and thought it was a reward for the hard work he has put in during his time with The Bees.
“I am delighted for Jon because he trained so well,” said Mark.
“He had that five game run where he started earlier in the season and did exceptionally well.
“He didn’t deserve to lose his place and Jon knows that.
“He trains so well and is a credit to himself and to Arsenal.
“We are pleased for him tonight and it was a good performance for Jon.”
Another player singled out for The Bees manager for praise was Stuart Dallas.
With Jake Bidwell serving the final of his three match suspension Stuart again deputised at left-back and put in another fine performance.
For Mark Stuart’s versatility and eagerness to learn make him a key member of Mark’s squad and the Brentford manager believes there is still more to come from the Northern Irishman.
“I haven’t learned anything that I didn’t already know about Stuart Dallas,” said Mark.
“When we signed Stuart almost three years ago now he had great attitude, character and aerobically he keeps going for every minute of the game.
“Technically he is getting better as is his awareness, match management and pitch geography.
“I can’t talk highly enough about Stuart.
“You can play him wide left, wide right, left back, right back or centre forward and he would do a job for you.
“It is not easy but Stuart listens and he learns well.
“Neil McIlhargey and Luke Stopforth do a great job with the analysis here and the boys respond so well to that.
“He looks and he learns and with Stuart I would have no problem playing him either flank, full back or at centre forward.
“That is how good Stuart is and he has worked so hard.
“There is still more to come from him yet.”
With the result put beyond doubt before the hour mark Jonathan Douglas and Andre Gray were both substituted to prepare them for Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City.
Mark revealed after the match that medical screening had shown up concerns over potential injuries for both players and that it was decided to give the pair a breather.
One player who did miss out through injury on Tuesday night was Alan Judge who Mark said took a knock during Saturday’s win over AFC Bournemouth.
The Brentford manager added that it was also a good opportunity to use the depth of his squad and give players minutes ahead of a busy run in towards the business end of the season.
“The medical department do a great job with the players,” said Mark.
“They had done some blood tests on the players and Jonathan Douglas and Andre Gray were causing some concern in the short term basis.
“Those two put in another great shift tonight and it was nice to give them a breather to prepare for the weekend.
“The blood tests just highlight some warning signs that players are approaching fatigue and muscle injury.
“They highlight certain concerns and it was nice to give those boys a breather.
“Jonathan and Andre worked hard again with good quality and I am delighted with the way Jonathan is getting forward into the box and he has been a real revelation this season.
“It was great to get high quality substitutes on.
“I was delighted for Sam Saunders to come on because he just loves playing football at this level, as do Tommy Smith and Chris Long.
“We had people on the bench like Alan McCormack, Nico Yennaris and Tony Craig who could quite comfortably have come on.
“It is about the squad, it will never be about the 11 or the 14.
“Alan Judge got a small whack on the side of the leg as he was coming off at the weekend.
“You have got to trust the squad and the squad is in good shape as you saw tonight.
“Sam, Tommy and Chris came on tonight and Alan McCormack came on at the weekend.
“There is also Tony Craig and Nico Yennaris and we have other players who can come into that squad as well.”
Tuesday night’s match was watched by another crowd of nearly 9,000 despite it being the second home match in 72 hours and being on the same night as Manchester City’s televised match with Barcelona.
Mark reserved praise for the fans who continue to turn up in great numbers and support The Bees both home and away.
“I don’t want this to sound repetitive but I am really thankful for the support they give,” said Mark.
“I am well aware that tonight there is Champions League Football on and there are big costs involved with two games a week.
“For fans to come and support in that manner and give that vocal backing was magnificent and I can’t thank them enough for that.”
Next up for The Bees is a trip on Saturday to a Birmingham City side who haven’t won in their last nine matches.
With 13 games of the season remaining Mark believes it is even more crucial than ever just to focus on the next game than trying to look too far ahead.
The Brentford manager said there are lots of points to win and lose between now and the end of the season starting with what he expects to be a very tough match at St Andrews on Saturday.
“On Thursday morning at analysis we are going to show the boys that there are a lot of big games left in this division,” said Mark.
“If you look at some of the games coming up and Middlesbrough for example play AFC Bournemouth, Derby County and Ipswich Town on March 14th, 17th and 21st.
“There are a lot of big games coming up and a lot of points to be dropped.
“Our focus has to be on one game.
“Tonight could have been a banana skin.
“There was no point winning on Saturday and losing this evening.
“It was about focus and now everything is focussed towards the weekend.
“It will be another very tough away trip.
“They are a superbly organised club up at Birmingham City and Gary Rowett has done a great job up there.
“It will be a tough challenge and we need to be prepared.”