Kit Symons admits Fulham's League Cup win counts for nothing when they face Brentford again tomorrow night.
Ross McCormack's goal earned the Cottagers a 1-0 victory at Griffin Park earlier this season before they eventually bowed out in the fourth round to Derby County.
The Whites have been rejuvenated since Symons took over from Felix Magath, while the Bees go into the game in sixth spot after a storming start to life in the Championship.
"We played them earlier this season in the cup game and the two teams you see now are both very, very different from that game back then," said the Fulham boss. "I think both sides have come an awful long way.
"They're up in the play-off spots at the moment and doing really well but they're not there by luck, they’re playing some really good football along the way as well and getting some great results."
Brentford and Fulham have not faced eachother in a league fixture since 1998, and Symons is relishing renewing rivalries in front of a sold-out crowd.
He added: "I never played a Fulham vs Brentford game but it’s a big derby. I know what it means to our fans.
"I spoke to the players briefly this morning, I had a good chat with Scott Parker about it and that'll be a big part of our team talk tomorrow for our players to realise how important it is.
"At the end of the day it's another three points but these games are special. I love derby games, I love Championship games and if you get a derby game in the Championship, brilliant."
