Nik Tzanev believes confidence is high in the Youth Team dressing room as they climbed to the top of the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South table on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Leeds United.
Tom Field got The Bees off to a great start with a goal inside four minutes and Bradley Clayton doubled that advantage three minutes before half-time.
Leeds threatened a comeback when Tyla Bell netted from the spot just before the hour but Clayton grabbed his second quickly afterwards to restore Brentford’s two goal lead.
Reece Cole added a deserved fourth late on as Anthony Hayes’s side made it just one defeat in five league games.
Speaking to Bees Player after the game Nik thought Brentford were well worth their win and that they controlled the game well.
The 17-year-old was pleased with the team’s desire to attack and score goals and thought it paid off well.
“The mood in the dressing room is really good,” said Nik.
“The past few games we haven’t been as solid as we should have been.
“Today it was a really solid 4-1 win.
“We kept our heads throughout the game and stayed on top of things.
“We started the game really well.
“Getting the two goals in the first-half, and especially that goal late on in the half, allowed us to go into the second-half with a lot more desire.
“We wanted it so much and that pushed us through the game.
“The third goal just killed the game.
“It was really important to get that third goal because they were really pressing us at that point.
“If we hadn’t have got the third goal it would have been a tough close game.
“When we had the wind in the second-half the side volley worked well and, as they were pressing really high, we were able to counter them.
“When I played it out to Noah Amissah and Bradley Clayton it was one v one so that helped us as well.”
Nik was a mere spectator for much of the match as Leeds were penned back in their own-half for large periods.
However he was needed to make a vital save with the score at 3-1 from Bell to preserve Brentford’s two goal lead.
Nik said it was not always easy for goalkeepers to keep their concentration when their side is so much in the ascendancy but he was happy with how he stayed focussed.
The tall stopper was full of praise for his centre-backs who he felt gave him great protection all game.
“I only really had to make the save in the first-half and then one in the second-half with my right hand that I was really happy with,” said Nik.
“I was really happy with the defence.
“Seth Owens played really well as did Gradi Milenge.
“It was great commitment from Seth when he got knocked out.
“I was obviously not happy that he got knocked out but I was happy with his desire.
“It helps me a lot to speak and to communicate with the defence.
“Everybody says that goalkeepers just have to sit there and do nothing but to keep your concentration is really hard and I thought I did that really well throughout the game.
“When I had to do what I had to do I did it well and I was happy with that.”
Nik had been involved in a battle this season with first-year scholar Jordan Carey for possession of the number one shirt.
Both goalkeepers have started four games so far this season and impressed when called upon.
For Nik there is a good friendly rivalry between the two and it is helping to push them both on to better things including Under-21 appearances and training sessions with the first-team.
“In training we always push each other and help each other along,” said Nik.
“I think that rivalry is good because it keeps us motivated and makes us want to do better.
“Competing against each other helps us to do that.
“I found it really good to do those training sessions with the first-team just to get that change up.
“I am really happy with the few training sessions that I have had.
“I don’t think I have had the best games in the last two games I have had with the Under-21s but I still think I did well.
“It is all about progressing in my career and seeing how the future goes.”