Alan Judge said he was enjoying his new role at Brentford this season and now had the only thing missing – his first goal of the season.
Alan scored seven goals in 22 appearances last season, used mainly as part of a front three.
He signed permanently from Blackburn Rovers in the summer and has largely occupied a deeper role.
He has contributed a large number of assists and become one of the most prolific tacklers in the Sky Bet Championship but had been lacking a goal until yesterday.
Alan latched on to a Jon Toral pass to slot home Brentford’s first in a 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Griffin Park.
Speaking to Bees Player after the win, Alan said he was loving every minute of the season and hoped the Brentford supporters were enjoying watching him.
“It was the one thing my game had been lacking this year,” said the Irishman.
“It was a great relief to finally get the goal.
“You could see that in my celebration.
“The gaffer has asked me to play in a different formation this season and I like the player I have changed in to.
“I like being in and amongst it and making tackles.
“I saw something crazy like I had made more tackles than anyone in the division; I couldn’t make a tackle last year.
“I have learnt from the players around me.
“I am enjoying it in there.
“I am thankful for the change, it has made me a better player and all that was missing was a goal.
“Hopefully the fans are enjoying what they are seeing of me this year, I am enjoying every minute.”
Alan described his goal: “It was a great ball by Jon and either you take a touch and go wide or you get it perfect.
“I got it perfect so the defender couldn’t make the tackle.
“The keeper came out, I didn’t have to think and I lifted it over him.”
Wolves came with a defensive outlook and congested the midfield.
Brentford dominated posession in the first half but had to wait until the half hour to make the breakthrough with their first real chance.
Once The Bees got ahead Wolves had to come out and there were more chances and goals after the break.
“We knew about the way they played from last year,” said Alan.
“They were playing with two high wingers and broke once or twice.
“We know teams do that.
“We had the ball in the first half; they can’t score if we have it.
“We make sure we take care of it, hopefully we’ll get the chances.
“The message at half time was to keep doing what we were doing and look for ways to improve.
“I thought we were better.
“They pressed us high, gaps opened up and we took advantage.”
Stuart Dallas scored the second for Brentford before a long pass from Alan to Andre Gray enabled the striker to turn clear of two defenders and lash home the third.
Alan then twisted his way in to the penalty area in stoppage time before setting up Jota to add a fourth.
He now has eight Sky Bet Championship assists this season.
“One was a long pass one was a short pass,” said Alan.
“They’re different but you take them.
“I was trying to manoeuvre for a shot for Jota’s one but you mustn’t forget that for every goal there is an assist that is as important.
“I have concentrated this year on ensuring my final pass has enabled someone to just slot it home.”
Alan said it was a brilliant time to be a Brentford player but the squad knew they had to be consistent.
He said The Bees would be taking each game as it comes and they were well aware that things could turn around if they did not stay grounded.
Alan added Wolves had done to Brentford last season, winning 3-0 at Griffin Park, what The Bees had done yesterday and were capable of beating them when the teams met again next month.
“It is brilliant to play in,” said Alan.
“We have been on the other side; Wolves did it to us here last year.
“We were the better team this time; they might be the better team when we play in a couple of weeks.
“We have to stay consistent.
“You can’t take the smiles off players’ faces at the moment.
“We will just carry on doing what we’re doing and be happy to be considered ‘little Brentford who will blow up’.
“We take each game as it comes.
“We know this league can change, we will stay grounded and concentrate each game 100 per cent.”
Full post-match reaction from Alan Judge is available here for Bees Player subscribers.