Paul Hayes said the change in formation and moving him back in to midfield made a difference in Bretford’s Capital One Cup tie against Dagenham and Redbridge.
The Bees were 1-0 down at half time having started with Paul as a lone striker, Martin Fillo on the right and Stuart Dallas as part of a midfield three.
Manager Uwe Rösler switched to 4-4-1-1 with Martin Fillo in behind Paul in the first half and then brought Farid El Alagui on after the break, moving Paul in to midfield.
Farid El Alagui scored twice and Martin Fillo got another as Brentford won 3-2 to progress to the Second Round.
Paul, speaking to The Bees Player Show after Tuesday’s game, said the players were disappointed not have had more efforts on target in the first half but were pleased with the way the second half went.
“At half time we said we had eight shots and the keeper hadn’t made a save,” he said.
“They had one shot and we’ve turned it in to our own net.
“We knew they would come here and defend and make us do most of the work.
“Even with all the endeavour in the first half we didn’t have the killer instinct around the box and that was disappointing.
“The gaffer spoke to me at half time and said after about ten minutes I would have to drop back in to midfield next to Jake Reeves and Farid would come on.
“That worked in the second half.
“Farid got the goals and did well.
“We looked more organised as a team.
“We got the ball under control and started to create better opportunities.”
Paul has played most of his career as a striker but said he could use his experience to play in midfield.
“Being able to play in different positions comes with age,” he said.
“When you are young you think you can only play in one position.
“As you get older you start to understand the game, your responsibilities and the most important thing is winning.
“In training when we play 11 v 11 sometimes I drop in to midfield and it works.
“I enjoy it in midfield.
“I am comfortable but there is the defensive side that I am not used to.
“It can take years to convert.
“I will play in any position.
“It worked today.
“We needed to get the win.”
Dagenham stuck with almost the same XI that lost to Fleetwood Town on Saturday while Brentford made ten changes from the team that played Port Vale, giving Uwe Rösler the chance to see more of his First Team players in action.
Paul said the team was good enough to win the game but admitted they lost their rhythm after going 2-1 up just past the hour mark.
Dagenham equalised with ten minutes remaining but Brentford won it when Scott Barron curled over a free kick and Farid El Alagui headed in.
“They kept the same team from Saturday, we made ten changes but the 11 that was out there were good players,” said Paul.
“We felt we could go out and win.
“The first half was disappointing but the second half was good and we got the win.
“We always get told that when you score the next few minutes are vital.
“The other team gets a kick up the bum.
“We lost our rhythm after we went 2-1 up.
“It was a blow when they got the goal but we got a kick, we had seven or eight minutes and needed to get the win.
“Scott put a great ball in and Farid got his head on to it.
“The older players put themselves in good stead.
“We made it clear we are here if needed.”
Scott Barron also spoke to The Bees Player Show after the match.
He was playing his first competitive game since February due to a hip injury.
He said he was due to play for an hour but when Kevin O’Connor picked up a dead leg and had to go off at half time to be replaced by Tony Craig, the plan changed.
Scott said he felt no ill effects from a tackle by Abu Ogogo late on but admitted he might not have been so lucky.
“I was supposed to play 60 minutes but Kevin’s injury turned it in to a longer night,” he said.
“I knew that might happen.
“The gaffer told me to run around for 60 and I held on for the last half hour.
“Towards the end their guy was trying to do me.
“To be fair, he got the ball but he was definitely trying to do me.
“When you play the game you know these things.
“He didn’t hurt me; I stayed down to recover but got back up.
“It could have been worse but it was dealt with and we move on.”
Scott said he was pleased with his performance and would improve with more game practice.
“My final ball wasn’t great but I think that was due to rustiness,” he said.
“I was pleased considering I have been out for such a long time.
“I saw a lot of the ball.
“I was pleased to get in to the positions.
“I can work on the quality; I know I have that in my game.
“I am pretty happy.
“To play longer than I thought and play a part in the winning goal, I was happy.
“I am pleased to get through 90 minutes and I feel fine.
“It’s my first 90 in six months.”
Scott played a key part in the winning goal, delivering the free kick that Farid El Alagui headed in.
“The winning goal was very late,” he said.
“We were 2-1 up and would have liked to have held on but they got one back.
“We showed good character, as we did for the whole of the second half.
“Farid has popped up with two goals.”
The best bits from Tuesday’s Bees Player Show will be available later this week.