Brentford Manager Mark Warburton has set his team a target of 95 points to win automatic promotion from Sky Bet League One.
The Bees picked up their fourth straight League One win by beating Coventry City at Griffin Park yesterday.
It took their current run of form to one defeat in 25 league games and leaves them on 79 points with ten games remaining and second in League One, matching the total they achieved last season when they finished third.
Brentford are a point behind leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers with a game in hand.
Mark, speaking after the match, said his team needed at least another 16 points from those ten games to be promoted.
“I think you will need a minimum of 95 points to be promoted this season,” he said.
“That will be the target.
“We have ten very important games left.
“The boys are very clear about that target and what we want to do.
“We also have our own private target and that will stay private.
“This is a unique year.
“The gap from the top three to the teams in seventh, eighth and ninth is incredible.”
Mark said he was very unhappy with his team’s first half performance.
Coventry went ahead early on and Alan Judge saw a penalty saved soon after as Brentford trailed.
But Clayton Donaldson and Marcello Trotta scored within three minutes to give The Bees a half time lead.
Mark said his side did not deserve to be ahead at the break but were much better after half time.
“The first half was the worst we have been since early December,” he said.
“I don’t have to tell the players that, they know it themselves.
“They are a great group of players but they know that was not our level.
“We didn’t deserve to be level when we got the penalty.
“We went 2-1 up and that is the positive from the negative.
“The first half was nowhere near the high standard in terms of tempo, moving the ball and decision making.
“We had a chat at half time and the second half was much better.
“The only criticism in the second half was that we should have had more goals.
“We created chances, had better intensity, played higher up the field, closed the gaps and moved the ball well.
“We have to learn from the first half.”
Mark said the second half performance was “very good”.
The Bees scored three minutes after half time when Alan McCormack raced away and slotted home.
“Coventry looked to press high,” said Mark.
“We had to take more care of the ball.
“We have to learn from that first half.
“That wasn’t our normal standard; we were nearer in the second.
“We were 2-1 up and didn’t deserve to be.
“We responded well at half time and it was a very good second half performance.”
Mark said his squad was in good shape as they enter the final six weeks of the season.
Adam Forshaw, named Sky Bet League One Player of the Year, was used as a substitute against Coventry while Jake Reeves started.
Nico Yennaris and Stuart Dallas also featured in the second half.
“Jake Reeves did well,” said Mark.
“We always said the squad would be important and it is vital we use everyone.
“Nico Yennaris did well.
“Stuart Dallas came on and made an impression.
“We have other players on the bench that are pushing hard.
“I’m delighted with our strength in depth.
“The squad is in good shape.”
Brentford’s next game is away to Rotherham United on Tuesday.
Rotherham are fourth in the table, ten points behind The Bees having played a game more.
It is the first of three away games in a week – with trips to Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United to follow.
Mark said Rotherham was the only focus and there would be “twists and turns” before the end of the season.
“The players know there are ten important games coming up,” he said.
“If you look at the table we are in good shape.
“We have to keep looking one game at a time.
“Our only focus is Rotherham.
“We have three hard away trips coming up; we will face three good teams.
“The squad will be called upon and hopefully we are up to the task.
“Every game is important.
“We have 79 points now so are 16 or so away from our target.
“The players have learned from last year.
“Other teams have dropped points but there are twists and turns to come.
“If we do what we do well we will be OK.
“Hopefully that will be enough to go one step further than last year.”
Mark also commented on what had been said about Brentford in the press in recent weeks.
Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade criticised Brentford’s celebrations after The Bees won 1-0 in East London last week in the top-of-the-table televised derby after playing for most of the second half with ten men.
Other manager, including Coventry’s Steven Pressley, have been talking about Brentford’s playing budget, which Mark said had “disappointed” him.
“I’m amazed by some of the comments about us,” said Mark.
“Last week Russell Slade said before the match how important it was.
“He described it as a ‘massive game’ and said it was ‘all about self-belief’.
“We had good self-belief.
“We went there, took numbers of supporters.
“We adapted very well when we had ten men and justified enjoying the win.
“If you can’t enjoy a good result you shouldn’t be in the game.
“We weren’t disrespectful, we shook hands.
“I was surprised by his comments.
“Before this match we had talk about our ‘enormous’ budget being ‘four or five times’ that of Coventry.
“I’m disappointed by those comments and find them amazing, I’m happy to talk about it face to face.
“I won't talk about other teams’ budgets in the media.
“The focus is on the players and the games.”
Mark Warburton’s full post-match reaction is available here for Bees Player subscribers.