Brentford Manager Mark Warburton has rejected any suggestion that Brentford have an easy run-in to the end of the Sky Bet Championship because they don’t play many of the teams around them.
There are just ten games to go before the end of the Championship season.
The Bees are sixth in the table, four points off the top.
There is a group of eight teams that have pulled clear of the pack and – subject to a late surge from below – are set to contest the promotion spots.
The Bees only have to play one of those eight – Derby County – while many of those around them have multiple top-of-the-table clashes on their schedule.
Mark said every game between now and May 2 would be tough, stating with the fixture against Cardiff City tomorrow, Saturday March 14.
Cardiff are 15th in the table but Mark said he expected them to be planning for next term and the players would be fighting for future places.
“It will be another tough test,” said Mark.
“I have heard talk about us only having to play one more of the top eight in our last ten games.
“There are no easy games.
“Every team we play will be scrapping.
“Cardiff are mid-table but they will be demanding a strong finish to the season.
“They will want to prepare for next season.
“Our job is to impose ourselves on the game and if we do that we will be OK.”
Brentford will be looking to complete a double over Cardiff after winning 3-2 in South Wales in December.
The Bees took a 3-0 lead before half time but were pegged back after the break.
Mark said Cardiff boss Russell Slade had a talented squad at his disposal and it would be a tough match.
“I was really pleased with our performance down there,” he said.
“From the first whistle we were dominant, in terms of control of the football.
“Our movement, positivity and penetration was really good.
“But after half time we had a physical onslaught, they scored two and could have got a point out of the game.
“We have to recognise what we did well and what we didn’t do after half time.
“Russell Slade is a vastly experienced manager with a talented squad.
“There are some talented players and it will be a tough fixture.”
The Bees have three games in seven days – travelling to Blackburn Rovers and hosting Millwall after the Cardiff match – but Mark said it would not be season-defining.
After the Millwall match there will be an international break, with two weeks without a game, before the final seven matches in the last month of the campaign.
“Whatever happens this week there will still be 21 to play for afterwards, it won’t define the season,” said Mark.
“We will take one game at a time.
“Teams will drop points, and drop them unexpectedly.
“They will gain points unexpectedly.
“Our focus is Brentford.
“It has stood us in good stead up to now and if we carry on doing it, we will be OK.”
Brentford were without a midweek game and have not played since a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town last Saturday.
Mark was away during the week – doing the next stage of his FA UEFA Pro-Licence course – but said training had gone well.
There was also a chance to allow the players to rest before the final ten games.
“It allowed us to give the boys Sunday and Monday off, which they earned,” said Mark.
“They could recharge the batteries and rest.
“Managing their loading is really important.
“They worked hard on Tuesday with David Weir – I was on a course.
“They trained today and will do tomorrow.
“We will have a recovery session on Sunday then a light session on Monday before we travel.
“We could allow the players some recovery before another busy week.
“The players could have some downtime as well.”
Brentford had a Development Squad match against Millwall on Tuesday which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Jack Bonham was in goal but the team was mainly made up of Under-21 and Youth Team players.
Mark said Development Squad Manager Lee Carsley would use older players sometimes but also needed to see his group in action.
“Jack did really well,” said Mark.
“He will be on the bench going forward, injury allowing.
“He played well on Tuesday and is training well.
“He needed a game to stay sharp.
“Betinho and Marcos Tébar are both playing well and want to play football.
“To get in to the First Team they have to be better than the players in front of them, that is the harsh reality.
“At Development Squad level Lee has done some great work with the group.
“It is good for him to try that team mentality, there are benefits to that.
“Sometimes the older players will play, sometimes they won’t.”
Mark said Lewis Macleod was close to fitness but would not be rushed back.
He said he had no other injury concerns but players including Harlee Dean, Tony Craig and Jon Toral were pushing hard for a starting spot.
“Lewis Macleod is getting there,” said Mark.
“He is getting stronger and stronger.
“He has another test on his hamstring in a couple of days.
“He will play a part between now and the end of the season but we have to make sure he is right.
“We have no other injury problems, touch wood.
“There are a number of players pushing for a spot.
“We want a competitive squad pushing for the shirts.
“The players have earned the opportunity they now have and we have to try and maximise it.
“There are ten games to go and we will see where we are on May 2.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Mark Warburton here.