Keith Andrews says Brentford want “a lot more” from the final six games of the season, with the head coach also issuing updates on Mikkel Damsgaard, Josh Dasilva and Craig Henderson before Fulham.
Keith Andrews has made clear Brentford are not easing towards the end of the season, with the head coach insisting there is still more to achieve ahead of Saturday’s west London derby against Fulham.
Brentford head into Saturday’s west London derby in seventh place, a position that would currently be enough to secure European qualification, while Fulham start the weekend 11th and still trying to force their way back into the conversation. With the Premier League’s European places set to extend down to seventh this season, the game carries clear significance for both sides, particularly for Brentford as they try to protect their advantage in a congested race.
“Six really big games left, three at home and three away,” Andrews said. “A huge London derby tomorrow and we want to go all out to win that. Whatever happens this season we will have achieved a certain amount but I want us to achieve a lot more.”
That line summed up Brentford’s approach to the run-in. Andrews said his side have been difficult to beat for an extended period, but made clear that resilience alone is not enough if they are to finish the season strongly.
“We’ve been very difficult to beat for a good couple of months but we want more,” he said. “That’s the way we are wired; we want to push and strive to try and achieve as much as we can. We felt like we dropped two points against Everton.”
That frustration adds extra weight to the Fulham fixture. Beyond the table and the closing weeks of the campaign, Andrews also made it clear that recent results in this derby have not been forgotten.
“We’ve got fans that work here who, from the second I came in, were very forthright about the important games,” he said. “In recent seasons we haven’t got the better of them and that doesn’t sit well with me.”
There were also a number of team news updates from the Brentford head coach. Andrews said Mikkel Damsgaard had done well to get through part of last week’s match despite being unwell, and suggested the midfielder is now in a better place physically.
“Damsgaard did well to actually play last week,” Andrews said. “He wasn't well at all really, but he dug in and gave us 45 minutes. He's come back in now this week and he's okay.”
Andrews also gave an encouraging update on Josh Dasilva, who has stepped up his recovery by returning to work with the group.
“He was with the group today. He’s building really well behind the scenes. It’s not an easy one because he’s been out for such a long time. I don’t want to put added pressure but I’m really excited about getting Josh involved; I value him hugely.”
Jordan Henderson is not yet back in contention, but Andrews suggested his return is moving closer.
“I don't particularly like putting too close a time scale on it because I think it's sometimes unrealistic and gets hopes up,” he said, “but he's not too far away - in the next couple of weeks I'd say.”
All of that leaves Brentford heading into Saturday’s derby with both incentive and pressure. Fulham bring the edge of a local rivalry, but the bigger picture is just as important, with Brentford still trying to strengthen their grip on a European place. Andrews’ message was that the season still has more to offer. The next step is to show it against Fulham.