FA Cup focus for promotion hopefuls Brentford

Mark Warburton says Brentford will be going all out for FA Cup success even though his side are somewhat surprisingly engaged in a promotion push, writes Gerry Cox.

The Bees are currently riding high in the Championship, having won promotion from League One last season to cap a superb management debut for Warburton, who stepped up from coach just over a year ago when Uwe Rosler left for the Wigan job.

Despite losing their past two games, the Bees are sixth, after a run of seven wins in eight games, and looking forward to their Cup clash with Brighton, who have just appointed Chris Hughton as manager.

Warburton said: “The FA Cup is important to us and we take it very seriously.

“It's the world's oldest cup competition, we've got a home draw so we need to apply ourselves appropriately at Griffin Park.”

Brentford beat Brighton 3-2 at home last September but Warburton says it will count for nothing in The Cup.

Warburton added: “Brighton are struggling in the league at the moment but they possess a lot of quality, and we know the threat they pose.

“But if we apply ourselves properly and get the result we want, we are in the hat for the next round and then who knows what can happen? We might get a Premier League side as another strong test.”

It has been a whirlwind start in management for Warburton, who worked as a trader in the Stock Exchange before making a dramatic career change moving into football, first as a youth coach at Watford and then Brentford.

He said: “I have no regrets. It was tough at first but it is all worthwhile.

“These boys have tremendous character and we're in good shape. They got their just desserts with promotion last summer, after missing out on the final day the season before, and now we are in the Championship on merit.

“They might have lacked a bit of self-belief in the first few games, but they very quickly realised they belong at this level, and I'm really pleased with the start we have made.”