Brentford Manager Mark Warburton has called on his players to leave their final Sky Bet Championship game of the regular 2014/15 season with “no regrets”.
The Bees end their regular season with a match against Wigan Athletic at Griffin Park tomorrow, Saturday May 2.
A win would give them a shot of extending their campaign by making the Championship Play-Offs.
A Brentford victory coupled with a Derby County defeat to Reading would ensure a Play-Off spot and if Ipswich Town lose to Blackburn Rovers, a small goal difference swing could also put The Bees in the top six.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player yesterday, said there was no point playing down the significance of the game, his players knew how big it was.
But he said all they could worry about was beating Wigan by as many goals as possible.
“The players know the significance of the game,” said the Brentford boss.
“They know it’s a massive game, we have told them.
“We need to leave the game with no regrets.
“It is a huge game at a packed Griffin Park.
“We are well aware of the significance of it, let’s enjoy it.
“You can’t tell the players it is just another game, it is not, it is game 46 of a long season.
“We are in a great position and hopefully other results go well.
“All we can focus on is getting a win and then hopefully making it a positive win in terms of goals.
“We will see where that leaves us.”
Wigan have been relegated from the Championship already and Mark said he thought that would make them more dangerous.
Mark said he expected them to play with freedom and new Wigan boss Gary Caldwell would be keen to put his stamp on the team.
“There are two schools of thought,” said the Brentford boss.
“I would have preferred them to have something to play for.
“With a new manager, he will be keen to impress his bosses and show the style he will adopt.
“Players will be keen to impress with contracts to be earned.
“There is a lot to play for.
“I think they will play with freedom.
“They have a talented squad and we have to be aware of the stern challenge.”
Since Brentford’s promotion credentials became clear with a run of seven wins in eight Championship matches in the autumn, teams have come to Griffin Park and sat deep.
Mark said he thought Wigan would be more expansive as they did not need the points and would want to impress.
“Since Christmas teams have sat in,” he said.
“I think Wigan will be more expansive.
“I expect them to show good width, they have talented players.
“We have to get on the ball, move it, be brave in possession, look to get forward and penetrate.
“Before the change they used a standard 4-4-2, they are now more 3-5-2.
“I think they will look to be positive.
“It will be a good game, we have to be positive, if we do that we are a good team.”
Mark said he expected the Griffin Park crowd to let him know if results elsewhere were going Brentford’s way.
But he was keen to stress Brentford could only control one thing, winning their game.
“It is natural to look at what others are doing, I am sure the crowd will tell us,” said Mark.
“But the key focus is us winning the game.
“If results went our way and we didn’t do the job it is unimaginable.
“Wigan are a tough team and we have to do our work, post 78 points and hope it is enough.
“We have to do our job.
“The last day of the season always has twists and turns, we have to make sure they are not at Griffin Park.
“We have to enjoy being a good team, relish it and embrace it.”
Mark said his highlight of the season had been the growth in his side’s confidence and self-belief.
He pointed to away wins at Nottingham Forest and Norwich City as days to relish but said the way his side had grown was the main thing he would take from the campaign.
“You can look at individual games but the highlight has been the way the squad has grown in confidence and self-belief,” said Mark.
“The fact we are sitting here ahead of game 46 talking about Play-Offs is a highlight.
“This is a young, hungry squad and how they have come along is a highlight.
“In terms of individual matches, Nottingham Forest away was tremendous, Norwich City away.
“The overall factor of improvement has been the highlight.”
Mark added: “The players and staff will be low if it doesn’t go our way.
“We know what we have been close to achieving.
“A total of 78 points is a tremendous figure, the 75 we have now should be more than enough for the Play-Offs.
“We will get as many as we can and see where we are.
“We can only control what we can, we have to do the job, send the fans home happy and hopefully take the plaudits.”