Brentford midfielder Alan Judge felt that overall a point was probably a fair reflection after Brentford and Fulham drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Irish midfielder put The Bees ahead after 18 minutes from the penalty spot but the hosts hit back to lead just after the hour after goals from Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.
However Dean Smith’s side responded to extend their unbeaten run against Fulham to three matches as Jack O’Connell poked home from close range.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Alan thought that the point was probably a fair result although he admitted The Bees should have made more of their first-half chances.
“It was probably a fair reflection,” said Alan. “Both sides had chances so in the end 2-2 is probably a fair result. The second-half was a great game of football but in the first-half they were kicking it in the air quite a bit and not letting us play our game. Second-half it opened up a lot more and was end to end. With the ball in the air so much it was difficult to judge the flight of the ball but when the ball was on the floor the pitch was very bobbly. We should have been more than 1-0 up and then it wasn’t the best goal to concede. At half-time Dean told us they would tire, which they did, and the game opened up. The second-half was very end to end which is probably great to watch but not the best to play in as you just want to get as many points as you can.”
Trailing 2-1 with 25 minutes to play Brentford brought Jota and John Swift, both of whom are approaching full fitness after recent injuries, off the bench and the duo impressed in the closing stages.
Alan thinks that having the option to brings players of that quality off the bench shows the depth of the Brentford squad and is a real reminder to the starting 11 that they can’t rest on their laurels.
“Jota and John Swift coming off the bench, and Maxime Colin not even in the 18, shows what strength we have now,” said Alan. “To bring on players like that is great and it shows that we have good strength now that everybody is fit. Having that bench shows everybody that they have to play well. Harlee Dean has missed the last three games and he will be chomping to get in but Jack O’Connell scored today. That gives the manager food for thought.”
Brentford were backed by just under 5,000 away fans at The Cottage this afternoon and Alan said their backing was a fantastic boost to the team.
“The fans were great as usual,” said Alan. “It was the same as last year and it was great to have that support. The new boys knew what to expect from the fans on social media. At the start of the game they came out to see that many fans, even though Fulham didn’t give us the full allocation like last year, and it was a great atmosphere.”
Next up for The Bees is a trip to Play-Off chasing Cardiff City on Tuesday night, The Bluebirds a point and three places better off than Dean Smith’s side.
With four league games in the next two weeks the Christmas period gives Brentford a real chance to climb the table but Alan is expecting a tough run of games, starting with Tuesday’s trip to South Wales.
“We will be hoping for a better Christmas that we got last year with big games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Reading,” said Alan. “We have got Cardiff on Tuesday which will be a big game. Cardiff are quietly going about their business and nobody is really talking about them. They have got good players and players who have played in the Premier League so it will be another good game on Tuesday.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview below.