Harlee Dean admitted he is learning how to deal with the disappointment of being left out of a Brentford starting XI.
The defender felt he was made a scapegoat for the Bees' 4-0 defeat at Middlesbrough earlier in the season and received a telling off from manager Mark Warburton for going public.
The Bees boss had dropped Dean to the bench after signing Liam Moore on loan but the former Southampton man returned to the side against Cardiff and has kept his place.
He said: “It's been frustrating but it's pushed us all to be the best we can be. Nobody wants to be sitting on the bench.
“It's been good competition. You want to play every game. If the gaffer doesn't choose you you must get your head down and go again.
“I'm not the best at dealing with disappointment. I'm always trying to better myself.”
Dean was full of admiration for his defensive partners, with James Tarkowski sharing duties with him at the moment, and believe they have all had good seasons in the Championship this term.
He said: “I think we've got three good centre halves and with Liam you've got four. It's just about form.
“The two in form were getting picked and the manager makes the choices. I've got to make sure I'm the best I can be in training.
“I think everyone is a leader, good on the ball and good in the air. If we weren't we wouldn't be sixth in the league. We've all played a fair amount of games and we can hold our heads high.”
Despite that, Dean has been the target of Brentford's boo-boys who have latched onto any perceived mistake he has made, although the defender dismissed his critics.
He said: “I'm not worried about them. If they knew anything about football they'd be involved in it.
“It's only a minority and they can say what they want because they'd never say it to my face and it's easy behind a computer screen.”
