Brentford received something of a jolt with their unexpected setback at Chester City on Tuesday night - but John Halls will not be wallowing in the disappointment.

The midfielder is just grateful to be playing regularly again and will be ready to put things right against Rochdale on Saturday.

Halls has impressed since being brought in by Andy Scott this month - and although he was unable to do anything about the 3-0 rout at the Deva Stadium which brought a first defeat in 13 games, the former Arsenal trainee is optimistic about what lies ahead.

"I did start to wonder whether I would play again," Halls told the Gazette about his search for a club following his release from Reading in the summer.

"Once you are out of the limelight and the shop window, people sort of forget about you.

"You are quickly forgotten in this game and I had to get myself back playing and Brentford have given me that chance and I'm grateful for that.

"Hopefully I can repay them with my performances."

Halls, 26, was a member of Arsenal's Youth Cup winning team in 2000 but never made a first-team appearance outside of the Carling Cup.

And with only 61 appearances at Stoke in three seasons and two for Reading in the past two, Halls is desperate to make this move work out. He thinks it is so far.

"It's going well for me and we're doing well in the league," he said.

"It's nice to feel involved again and I'm getting fitter every game.

"I don't think the best has come from me yet and it not be until we get towards Christmas that we reach the level I want.

"I've had a long time out of football. I haven't really played for two seasons.

"I had a couple of stints out on loan at Sheff United, Crystal Palace and Preston but the games were few and far between and I've only been playing reserve football.

"I finished up at Reading at the end of last season and ended up not having a preseason, and you'd be surprised how quickly your fitness goes. But I'm getting fitter and getting a taste for playing league football again.

"I went to a few clubs for trials but that didn't work out and it was only when I came to train here that things started to look up and I'm happy to be here now.

"Everyone's made me feel welcome and that's made it easy for me.

"It makes it easier that we are doing well and that all the lads are buzzing.

"We are going into games looking to win them and we're playing well and that gives you confidence."

Halls played his first games for the Bees in defence, but with Josh Wright returning to Charlton, a midfield berth looks his natural setting.

But the player himself has an interesting take on that.

"I'm still not sure what my best position is," he admitted.

"I grew up at Arsenal playing as a midfielder, then I was a centre-half and started playing league football at Stoke as a right back.

"I'm comfortable in a few positions and as long as the gaffer keeps putting me somewhere, I'm happy to play.

"I do enjoy playing midfield more than right-back but I think I'm maybe a better right-back than I am a midfielder."

Scott may be happy with Halls but will have something to ponder ahead of Saturday's game after seeing his side first drop two points at home to Shrewsbury, then surrender their unbeaten record with a below-par performance that brought a first defeat in seven visits to Chester.

"It might be a kick up the backside a few needed," Scott said.

"We didn't do the things we have been doing and we need to perform better. We need to get back to our ruthless best."

Match Summary CHESTER C (1) 3 BEES (0) 0 Line-up: Hamer; Newton, Wilson, Bennett, Wood (Dickson 64); Williams, Halls, Bean, Poole (Phillips 78); Elder (Ademola 52), MacDonald. Subs not used: Brown, O'Connor. Attendance: 1,301. GOALS: Lowe (25, 60) Roberts (57).

MoM: Ryan Lowe 

Next Up

ROCHDALE

Griffin Park Saturday 3pm League Two

Manager: Keith Hill Position last season: 5th Form Guide: Very mid-table. But they have only lost once in six away games - 2-0 at Bradford - and hit Chester for six at home the other day. Their two away wins so far came at Accrington (3-1) and Notts County (2-1) in midweek. The Dale have gained draws at Grimsby Town (0-0),Rotherham (2-2),Lincoln City (1-1) and Morecambe (1-1).

Players to look out for: Lee Thorpe, who netted both goals in the win at Notts County, was a Brentford player for six months before moving on in January. The 32-year-old netted only four times in the league for the Bees but strikers are fond of scoring against their former clubs.

Most recent meetings: Brentford 0-2 Rochdale (29 Mar 2008); Rochdale 1-1 Brentford (20 Oct 2007) - Lg2. Head-to-head record: BEES Wins: 17 RFC Wins: 2 Draws: 6 [

Match Facts: Rochdale's 2-0 win in March was their first ever at Griffin Park after 11 failed attempts - which only included one draw 40 years ago. The Dale's only other win against the Bees was a 2-0 home success in January 1999. That said, the Bees will be seeking a first win in four clashes. The last (2-1) came 10 years ago. Dale have only scored three against Bees on one occasion - but they still lost. That 5-3 home loss came in March 1963.

Forecast: Brentford to resume their normal home service against the Dale following last season's unexpected blip.

Gazetteforecast success rate: 12 correct out of 17 (71%)