Toumani Diagouraga said he felt “blessed” to have played 200 games for Brentford Football Club.
The long-legged midfield man played his 200th Brentford game in the 1-0 Sky Bet Championship win away to Leeds United on Saturday.
He set up the winning goal in that match, crossing for Alex Pritchard to score.
Toumani, speaking to Bees Player yesterday, said he only found out about the landmark hours before the match and was just taking every game as it comes.
He first joined The Bees in January 2010 and hit the mark in just over five years; it also came less than a year after spending time out on loan at Portsmouth.
“I am very happy,” said Toumani.
“I am privileged and blessed to have played 200 games for this club.
“I didn’t think about the landmark, I only found out on Saturday morning.
“Last year I wouldn’t have thought I would hit it.
“I take every game as it comes and try to perform in every game.”
Toumani said he felt Brentford deserved their win at Leeds last time out.
He said the home team pressed them in the early stages but The Bees knew to keep playing their way.
“They had some momentum but we had the better chances,” said Toumani.
“We deserved to win.
“Teams try to come out hard and press us; it is hard to maintain that.
“We keep doing what we do and more often than not it works out.
“We know what is coming; we need to find ways to counter that.”
Toumani described his role in the goal.
“I overlapped Jon Toral, he played me through,” he said.
“I crossed it near post for Andre [Gray].
“It took a deflection and luckily it went to Pritch and he scored.
“I was pleased to get the goal.
“We are at the stage of the season where we need to win games.
“We didn’t go there for a point, that wouldn’t have been a good result.
“We do that every game.
“We have belief in our own ability.”
Brentford take on Watford this evening, Tuesday February 10, in their next Championship fixture.
The Bees lost 2-1 in the reverse game and Toumani said he felt that was an undeserved result.
Brentford are fourth and Watford are sixth in the table and Toumani said the fact the visitors could go above The Bees if they won at Griffin Park was an incentive.
“They started the game well but once we got a foothold we played well,” said Toumani, reflecting on that match.
“We deserved something out of the game that day.
“We will go in to the game trying to win it.
“It is a big game and we hope we can get three points.
“If they beat us they go above us, that is a good incentive.”
Toumani started his career at Watford.
He left after four years to join Hereford United and said he didn’t have anything to prove.
“I was looking forward to the game from the start of the season,” said Toumani.
“It will be a good game for me.
“I don’t feel like I have anything to prove.
“I was young when I left, I had a year left on my contract but wanted to go somewhere else to play First Team football.
“I just want three points for Brentford.”
Toumani has played in 15 of Brentford’s last 16 games and said he always knew he had the ability to play well at this level.
He praised Brentford Manager Mark Warburton and his coaching staff for their work with him.
“I always knew what I was capable of, even if I didn’t always show it,” said Toumani.
“I am very happy, very confident at the moment and enjoying it.
“The manager put me in the team and I am trying to repay the faith.
“Ever since he took charge we have been going one way.
“You would be foolish not to trust him.
“The coaching staff have great knowledge of football and it is a very enjoyable environment.”
Brentford are just five points off the top of the table with 17 games to go.
“There is no limit to what we can achieve,” said Toumani.
“We are fourth now, why can’t we do it.
“Every team can do it, why not Brentford?”
A full video interview with Toumani Diagouraga is available here for Bees Player subscribers.