Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler described his team’s 2-0 victory against Oldham Athletic as an important win.
Clayton Donaldson scored a goal in each half as The Bees picked up their first win of 2013 after drawing their last three games.
The first goal came after just five minutes and Uwe said his team played “with the handbrake on” against a team that were coming in to the game after beating Championship Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup with Budweiser last week.
He said the home team had the momentum in the first half but the introduction of Toumani Diagouraga in the second half – moving Jonathan Douglas in to the position Rob Kiernan had been playing – made the difference.
“It was important that we started winning again today,” said Uwe, speaking after the match.
“Oldham is a tricky place to come; they are a team that blows hot and cold.
“They won at Nottingham Forest last week but have also lost a lot of home games but in some of those they were unlucky.
“Oldham is a difficult place to go but we won the game.
“The first goal is always very important.
“At the moment we are scoring the first goal very early in some games.
“Sometimes we then play with the handbrake on.
“Oldham had more of the ball in the first half and more of the momentum, without creating big chances.
“We had one or two good chances.
“In the second half, when we put Jonathan Douglas in the holding position and brought Toumani Diagouraga on, we got more of the ball.
“We had more possession, created chances and Adam Forshaw was very good.
“We had a lot of counter-attack possibilities; got the second goal and that killed the game.
“The game opened up in the second half but I felt the key to getting more possession in the second half was bringing Toumani on.
“He proved a point today, he has not played for a while, he came in and did very well.
“He calmed us down when we needed it, kept the ball, attacked when we had the chance.
“It was very important for Clayton to score two goals.”
Uwe has been affected by a heavy cold this week and admitted preparation for the game was not as good as it could have been.
But he praised his players for the way they came through and said he was “very, very happy” with the win.
He said Brentford got better as the game went on and dealt with tall striker Matt Smith and tricky Jose Baxter, who played just in behind him.
He has special praise for central defenders Harlee Dean and Tony Craig and hailed Clayton Donaldson as one of the best strikers in League One.
“Our preparation was not optimal this week, I was not in a good state,” said Uwe.
“All credit to the lads, they put a shift in.
“We turned it around in the second half.
“We got a clean sheet.
“The centre halves were fantastic and the goalkeeper was phenomenal.
“I am very, very happy.
“The longer the game went, I saw our quality.
“We grew in to the game.
“The longer it went, we went flat out and deserved the win.
“We were solid and created more chances.
“I felt comfortable when Jonathan Douglas was in the holding position and took out Baxter.
“We also dealt with the long ball to the big fella.”
Brentford’s next match is an FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round Replay against Southend United.
The Bees drew 2-2 in Essex in the first tie last week and lost to The Shrimpers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy earlier this season.
Uwe said it would be a physical test against a team who were “a little bit disrespectful” after the first game.
“It will be a physical test and a test of which team has more desire to win the game,” he said.
“The Southend players were very optimistic after the first game, and a little bit disrespectful.
“They were talking about us, asking how we were at the top of League One, questioning our quality.
“They have to come to Griffin Park, they should keep quiet.”
The winners of the tie will entertain current UEFA Champions League and FA Cup holders Chelsea in the Fourth Round.
“Motivation wise, after the draw, I do not need to send anything to the players,” said Uwe.
“Everyone wants to measure themselves against the European Cup holders.
“There is a lot at stake.
“I can sit back; everyone wants to see how good they are.
“I really hope we can make it happen.
“We face a good team, we have respect for Southend but there is a reason we are in League One and they are in League Two.”
Bees Player subscribers can click here to see a full video interview with Uwe Rösler