Luis Melville of Brentford FC CST & local community station Westside Radio89.6FM caught up with Kevin O`Connor at the training ground on Thursday.
Westside Radio 89.6FM offers comprehensive previews and match reports on all Brentford home and away games on Saturday afternoon 2-5pm. At home games take radio to the ground and listen in or take part in the show by calling 020 8571 1188, emailing presenter@westsideradio.co.uk or text the word 'WESTSIDE' followed by your message to 60300. Got a view about Brentford then it get them heard.
Luis Melville: We're about to enter the final third of the season. What's your assessment of the team's performance now compared to the start of the season?
Kevin O' Connor: Well I think at the start we were playing quite well, but now I think we are a lot more solid. We look like we're not going to concede goals and we seem to be looking very attacking and creating a lot of chances. So it's all very positive.
LM: Obviously it's a big plus with the signing of Wojciech Szczesny. How important is he to the squad?
KO'C: I think he's massively important. He gives the whole defence and the whole team confidence when you know he's playing. He's probably the best keeper I've probably played or trained with.
LM: Is it difficult to believe that he's only 19 years old?
K. O'C: It is, but then again I room with him so I can see the immaturity as well so I can tell he's only 19. I think he's got a big future ahead of him.
LM: Some great signings coming in with John Akinde, Lionel Ainsworth seems to have played well on Tuesday. How have they all settled in?
KO'C: They've settled in fine. John trained with us for the first time on Tuesday and like you said Lionel had a game so both look very good signings and hopefully they'll do well for us.
LM: And how is Toumani Diagouraga doing?
KO'C: He's settled in very well as well. I thought he played really well at Norwich on his debut. He looks comfortable on the ball. I've played against him a few times so I know what he's like. He's was a tough opponent.
LM: I don't think we're expecting a quiet game on Saturday against Gillingham. Is it going to be a real battle with the ref really busy?
K. O'C: I think it's going to be a battle like you say it's kind of developing into like a local derby plus there's a bit of a history between the two teams so we'll go out there enjoy it and hopefully get the right result.
LM: Kevin thanks very much and good luck on Saturday.
