Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said his players were “buzzing” after their “fantastic” win over Portsmouth.
The Bees made it five home wins in a row as they came from behind to pick up a vital npower League One victory.
Bradley Wright-Phillips put Brentford in front but Portsmouth belied their lowly league position, they sit 22nd in the table, to fight back and take the lead.
Uwe praised the Portsmouth team and their manager Guy Whittingham but said them having a week off compared to his side playing, and winning, against Crewe Alexandra on Wednesday made a difference.
Brentford looked as if they might miss out but Bradley Wright-Phillips equalised and then set up the winner for Clayton Donaldson.
“It was fantastic,” said Uwe, speaking after the match.
“Massive compliment to Guy and his team, they made it very difficult.
“They had a whole week to prepare and we had two days between our games.
“We weren’t at our best, we didn’t have the energy we normally have.
“We couldn’t bring enough fresh legs in because of injury.
“But my players ground it out, they never gave up and the substitutes played a massive part, they turned the game around.
“The dressing room is buzzing.”
Uwe praised the way his players fought for their win.
He said they couldn’t play their normal passing game because of the way their schedule had worked but they had the desire and determination to win.
The Bees are third in npower League One, two points behind AFC Bournemouth and four behind Doncaster Rovers.
They have three games left, one more than the two teams above them, and will be crowned League One Champions if they win them.
“The players did everything we asked them to do,” said Uwe.
“They fought like hell.
“We had to change our style of play.
“I don’t think we had the legs to pass and move like we normally play.
“I think they gave everything they had and I can’t speak highly enough of the atmosphere, the desire and the determination my players have shown.
“Not just today but all season.
“We have three games to go we have ten points more than last year, we are definitely in the Play-Offs and we still have it in our own hands to win automatic promotion.
“That is a massive achievement.”
Uwe brought on Jake Reeves, Lee Hodson and Marcello Trotta in the second half as his side chased the game.
He said bringing on an additional striker to work with Bradley Wright-Phillips and Clayton Donaldson occupied the defence and made things happen.
He had words of praise for the Brentford supporters, who created a great atmosphere at Griffin Park to help his side over the line.
“We finished the game with three up front,” said Uwe.
“The front two worked hard, they were lively.
“I brought on Marcello; he is in form now and will start games soon.
“Playing three up front occupied the back four.
“We thought things might happen and things happened.
“I can’t praise the players enough, and also the atmosphere.
“The fans helped the players through difficult times today when the legs were tired.
“We got the three points.”
Uwe added: “I couldn’t stress enough before the game that we might need the crowd today.
“We got exactly what I hoped.
“They responded to us.
“They saw we had to play a certain way.
“The pitch was very heavy and it was unfortunate the rain came down to soak even more energy out of the players.
“The players never gave up and the crowd saw that.
“They saw a team that wants to do well and wants to get promoted.
“They helped them through difficult spells.
“We rewarded the crowd and the crowd deserved three points.”
Brentford’s next game is away to Sheffield United on Tuesday night.
United are fifth in the table and, like Brentford, know they will be promoted if they win their remaining games.
They changed manager on Wednesday as Danny Wilson was replaced by Chris Morgan and won at home for the first time since February 16 by beating Swindon Town yesterday.
Uwe said he would make changes for the match as he needed to bring in fresh legs but did not want to reveal whether his injured players – Tom Adeyemi and Harry Forrester – would be fit.
“We will see where we are on Tuesday, which squad we select and which first XI we select,” he said.
“Sheffield United won today.
“They had a bad run and sometimes a change of manager works positively.
“I am more focussed on us.
“We need to inject energy.
“Their pitch is massive.
“In certain areas we have cover and in certain areas we are thin.”
A large travelling contingent of Brentford fans is expected as the Club has laid on free coach travel.
Uwe said big away crowds – like at recent games against Milton Keynes Dons, Coventry City and Crewe – helped the players.
He added four points from the games at Coventry and Crewe, following three away defeats, showed his side had turned the corner away from home.
“It will be massive for us to see a big away crowd,” he said.
“The players love it at Crewe, Coventry and MK Dons to see all the fans.
“We have turned the corner away from home; we have four points from our last two games.
“Sheffield United is a massive game for us, another one.
“They are coming thick and fast.
“I will make changes.
“I see that whoever I bring in, they are capable of producing results for us.”
Bees Player subscribers can see Uwe Rösler’s full post-match reaction here.