Brentford Manager Mark Warburton admitted his side considered defeat to Cardiff City as “three points dropped” but were in good shape to bounce back to winning ways this evening.
The Bees were beaten by Cardiff at Griffin Park on Saturday, March 14, conceding two second half goals to lose the lead Andre Gray had given them in the first half.
Just over 72 hours later they are in action again – facing Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park tonight, Tuesday March 17.
Brentford are sixth in the table, seven points behind leading trio AFC Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Watford with nine games to go.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player yesterday, said his players knew what was required of them in the last nine games, especially as many of the other promotion challengers have multiple games against each other to come.
He said the squad was in good shape and had trained well before travelling north.
“The players were disappointed at the time,” said Mark, discussing the Cardiff loss.
“We viewed it as three points dropped.
“But we have nine games to go, 27 points to play for.
“We are on 62 points and we know what the initial targets are and what we might need for there.
“If you look at who is playing who this week our aim is to be as good as we can be.
“We are well prepared and will try to impose ourselves on the game.
“We will be in good shape.
“We had a bright training session and we are in the same place in terms of players available.
“The players’ fitness levels are really good.
“We look after the players individually and maintain them as they need.”
Mark said there were plenty of positives to take from the loss to Cardiff but two poor decisions defensively cost Brentford the win.
“We had 28 attempts on goal,” he explained.
“We lost the game 2-1 but there were many positives that came out of it.
“A couple of poor decisions cost us dear, which is frustrating, but that is the level we are playing at.
“If you have that type of result and a poor performance there would be a real concern but there were plenty of positives to come out of the game.”
Blackburn beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 on Saturday, their third successive Championship win.
They started with Jordan Rhodes and Chris Brown in attack on Saturday but Mark said Rudy Gestede could also play.
Mark said Blackburn had a potent strike force but may have injuries in defence and Brentford would only be focussing on themselves.
Blackburn are tenth in the table, eight points behind The Bees, and Mark said the home side would need to win the game.
“We won’t know what Blackburn will do until we get the team sheet,” said the Brentford boss.
“They might play Gestede, who didn’t play on Saturday, or go with Rhodes and Brown.
“It will be a very potent strike force whatever happens.
“We understand they may have injuries at centre half and elsewhere.
“They are on a good run of form.
“They will, I’m sure, see it as a vital game.
“If they lose they will be a long way behind the Play-Off places.
“Our job is to focus on our performance.”
Mark hailed the job down by Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer, who has taken them to the FA Cup Sixth Round – where they face a replay against Liverpool – and the edge of the Play-Off race.
He said it could be an open game tonight and backed his team to continue a record of fine away wins this season which has included victories at Nottingham Forest, Norwich City, Cardiff, Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United.
“Gary Bowyer has done an outstanding job,” said Mark.
“We are aware of the threat they pose and it is up to us to recognise the game might be more open.
“There will be a good surface, a good stadium and we have to go there and enjoy the challenge.
“All season the boys have risen to any challenge – Forest away, Norwich away, Cardiff away, Brighton.
“We have to rise to the challenge and get the right result.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a pre-match interview with Mark Warburton here.