Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said his team would face a different challenge against Carlisle United to the one they encountered against Stevenage on Tuesday night.
Brentford’s five-match unbeaten npower League One run was brought to an end in Hertfordshire.
The Bees were beaten 1-0 by Stevenage and Uwe said his side were not able to play the way they wanted.
Speaking to Bees Player yesterday, Uwe said Carlisle would pose his team a test but not the same one as Stevenage.
He said every team in League One had something to play for and the pressure that created meant every game would first and foremost be a battle.
“Carlisle have different characteristics to Stevenage but they are a dangerous team,” said Uwe.
“Over the years they have been strong at home.
“They have a good, wide pitch, that will hopefully suit us and the way we play.
“It was very compact at Stevenage, we didn’t have time to get the ball down and play our game.
“We got sucked in to their game.
“They had better players to play that way than we did.
“It will be a different scenario at Carlisle.
“Both teams have a lot to play for.
“It will be a tight game, we have to go out and know what we have to do.
“We have to compete; we have to put a lot of effort in to get three important points.
“At this time of the year every game is competitive.
“It is different to how it was in August, September and October.
“There are not many games left and the pressure is on.
“This is the business end of the season, every goal counts, every point is important and this league is so tight nearly every team has something to play for.
“Teams are chasing promotion, or the Play-Offs, others don’t want to get dragged in to a relegation battle.
“That makes it very tough.
“We have to be alert and know every game will be a battle and hopefully our qualities on the ball will show through.”
Immediately after the match Uwe said his first half tactics had not worked as well as he had hoped.
The Brentford Manager said it was important to realise that everyone was human and made mistakes.
He added however he set his team up; they had to compete as a unit.
Uwe switched his formation and personnel at half time and said he felt his players were better after the break.
He added his players needed to produce a performance at Carlisle to thank the Bees fans making the long trip.
“In the first half at Stevenage it was unlike a Brentford team 2012/13,” he said.
“I only remember the first 45 minutes [of the 2-2 draw] at Bournemouth being similar.
“In the second half we could have got something out of the game.
“Overall, I thought our supporters deserved more.
“Stevenage is close by and, especially in the first half, I wished we had given more to our supporters.
“We know how long it is to Carlisle.
“It is a massive effort for the supporters going up there; we want to repay them with a strong performance.”
Uwe said Club Captain Kevin O’Connor and striker Farid El Alagui were now back in full training after long-term injuries.
He said it was like having two new players.
“At this stage of the season it can be difficult to get the heads and the legs going every morning,” said the Brentford Manager.
“We have two hungry players that have not played much football this season.
“They enjoy every training session and every little game we play in training.
“They push each other and push the rest of the squad.
“It’s like having two new players.
“That could be vital to us.”
Uwe said players like Kevin and Farid as well as Richard Lee, Paul Hayes, Jonathan Douglas and Tony Craig would be very important for the run-in.
“We have players that have been there and won promotion,” he said.
“They can share their experience with younger players.
“We have five or six players in the starting XI playing their first season in senior football.
“They need every help they can get, especially handling pressure and the occasion.
“I’m sure those players will do that.
“It is needed.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Uwe Rösler here.