Promotion push back on track – Button
Brentford goalkeeper David Button believes beating promotion-chasing Bournemouth could prove to be the most vital win of their season.
The 3-1 victory came just days after the Bees revealed that manager Mark Warburton is leaving in the summer as the club look to remodel the management structure and seek a new coach to work alongside a director of football.
Two defeats following initial reports that owner Matthew Benham was keen to replace the most successful boss the club have had in years appeared to be an inevitable consequence of the destabilising revelation.
But Brentford got their promotion challenge back on track against the Cherries to send out a positive message to home fans anxious they were about to witness the beginning of a full-blown derailment.
“It was a game that we knew was really important, to get the positive mentality back around the club,” Button said. “It was so important to get the three points.
“Because of what’s gone on, it may turn out to be the most important win of the season. We knew that we were going to come out and give a positive performance and had to.
“The news about the boss came as a jolt. There’s no point hiding from the fact that it probably did affect us a little bit.
“But we’re back on track now and the gaffer has got us all together and we’ve spun it to use it positively as a motivating factor to do well for the remainder of the season.”
The manner of the victory suggests a squad refocused and determined not to waste a season of huge promise that has taken them tantalisingly close to the Premier League.
Button continued: “Within the group, we’ve tried to stay positive. We’ve still got the gaffer leading us until the end of the season, so we’ll give our all until then and see where it takes us.
“He hasn’t said too much about his own situation except to say he’s totally focused on matters between now and the end of the season.
“It’s just one of those things in football. The way it’s come out is a bit of a shame. Managers move on and I’m sure he’ll go on to do great things.”
Although the win did not return Brentford to the play-off places, they will feel right back in contention again – especially as they are only seven points behind leaders Derby.
The fans may be hurting, but they are re-assured that Warburton can still work his magic in the remaining weeks at the very least. They hailed him by repeatedly chanting his name during the game and gave him a great ovation as he trotted across the pitch on the final whistle.
Button has certainly caught the mood. “There are 14 games to go. Teams above us still have to play each other and it’s certainly all to play for,” he said. “We’re still well in the mix.”
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