Brentford midfielder Darren Pratley feels manager Martin Allen’s “winning mentality” has been a big factor in their push for the play-offs.
The on-loan Fulham man helped the Bees to a 1-0 win over Tranmere on Tuesday.
He said: “I’ve settled in quite quickly here. The fans have been good, and the manager’s good.
“The coaching at Fulham is more technical, but I’ve had to learn the ‘nasty’ bits of football here, like tackling, heading and second balls.”
The result pushes Brentford up to fourth in the table, while confirming promotion for Luton – whose manager Mike Newell was at Griffin Park to see Tranmere’s mathematical hopes of taking top spot disappear.
Brian Little’s Rovers still hold a six-point lead over the Bees and look set to claim third place, but Brentford have now edged ahead of rivals Sheffield Wednesday, Hartlepool and Bournemouth in the scrap for the other three play-off places.
The Bees still have a game in hand over their rivals, although Pratley insisted: “We know what’s going on around us, but we don’t really look at the table much.
“We’ve just got to keep concentrating on ourselves, and take each game as it comes – hopefully we’ll make the play-offs.
“We created a few chances in the first half, without really causing Tranmere’s keeper problems.
“But the manager’s got a winning mentality. He told us to get at them in the second half and keep them under pressure – and it paid off.”
The 19-year-old, a former Arsenal youth player, has made just two substitute appearances for Fulham’s first team but is clearly enjoying more regular action in League One during his loan spell.
“We’ve got a good bunch of lads here,” he added.
“It’s a bit different to reserve football it’s more competitive, whereas reserve games are more about gaining experience. But I’m enjoying my football here.”
