Bees players ready for ‘biggest game’

Brentford boss Mark Warburton says his players are well prepared for the “biggest game” of their careers.

The Bees are 2-1 down in their play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough after the first leg so tonight must win at the Riverside Stadium – which only three other teams in the Championship have managed all season – to reach the final at Wembley.

Warburton declared: “We’re in good spirits and why not? I’m really pleased with the way the players have trained – they’re fit and well and in great shape.

“It’s a huge game; there’s no point dumbing it down. People will say ‘Don’t make a big thing of it’ but there’s the prize of a Wembley final and Premier League status at the end. These players are hungry to play there.

“It’s possibly the biggest game they’ll play in so they should go and enjoy it, and we’ll highlight that to them. We’re looking forward to it.”

Tonight’s encounter could be Warburton’s final match in charge as he is leaving the club following a disagreement with owner Matthew Benham over its future direction.

“It’s a strange and fairly unique situation. My time here is coming to an end and it’s frustrating,” Warburton said.

“But Friday’s game is not about this, it’s about the players. Those players deserve it.”

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