Romaine Sawyers said he is counting down the days until Brentford’s opener against Huddersfield Town next Saturday but knows that there is still a lot of work to be done before The Bees step out on the pitch at the John Smith’s Stadium in a week’s time. The attacking-midfielder was speaking after Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Millwall at The Den in their final pre-season match ahead of the new campaign. Romaine feels that the mood within the group is good and everyone is just looking forward to getting out on the pitch and competing for Sky Bet Championship points.
“It is seven days to the start of the season now and we have to start building towards it,” said Romaine, speaking to Bees Player after the match. “It is good that we have got through pre-season strong. Everyone looks fit and the vibe in the dressing room is good. The biggest test will be this week. We have been quite hands on so far and we haven’t had much rest. This week we will come in and prepare like it is a proper week and that will give us the biggest indication of where our bodies are actually at. This week is exciting. As much as you enjoy your summer there is no better feeling than running out at 3pm on a Saturday with a full stadium and a nice pitch and getting the result that you want. It is a big week and the start of what we have all been waiting for. We have worked hard for this Saturday and then it is the domino effect after that, game by game.”
It was not a classic Brentford performance this afternoon against The Lions in a match staged for Tony Craig’s testimonial. Yoann Barbet’s fine early free-kick fired The Bees in front but Steve Morison headed home a Shaun Williams cross just before the half-hour to draw the hosts level. Neil Harris’ side were Brentford’s sixth and final pre-season opponents in a schedule that has included matches against sides from Germany, League One, League Two, and the National League and Romaine feels that variety of opponent has set the team up nicely for the challenges ahead.
“Millwall are a difficult side to play against,” said Romaine. “Don’t be fooled by the fact that they are in League One, they are a good team. You can tell that by the way that they play, they are regimented and have a gameplan. Their front two work well together and cause problems. It was a good test for our defence, and us as a team as well, to face a team like that. It is a different type of team to the one that we have had in pre-season. Over the course of the season you are going to get different types of teams and different types of games. We have had a team that is quite physical today, the German teams were fluid with their passing, the non-league team had a bit of both and Peterborough United were a good team. They are good tests which will have us in good shape come the season.”
Romaine joined The Bees at the start of this month after more than three years with Head Coach Dean Smith's former side Walsall. The 24-year-old revealed that he has settled in really well to his new surrounds and thinks his happiness off the pitch will help him to deliver on the pitch.
“My first month has been perfect," said Romaine. "It couldn’t have gone any better. The week in Germany helped massively. I was around the boys 24/7 and I got to know the boys a lot, quite soon. I have been watching videos of the boys, especially Scott Hogan, to see how they play. That helps you to settle massively because you don’t want to be thinking of anything outside the white lines. The quicker you settle off the pitch then it helps you on the pitch. If you are good socially off the pitch, then your chemistry on the pitch will be better.”