TOUMANI Diagouraga believes Brentford scratch side gave it their best shot against Derby, despite being hammered 5-0 in last night's Capital One Cup clash.
While Derby put a full strength side out, Bees boss Uwe Rosler made 10 changes and handed full debuts to youngsters Josh Clarke and Alfie Mawson.
But Diagouraga insists there was no fear in the dressing room when the team sheets were handed out, and there was still a belief that Brentford's second string could pull off a shock.
He said: “We weren't intimidated (by the strength of their line up). We had a game plan to go out and play, and tried to execute that.
“Even at full strength, if you play against teams from the Championship it's never going to be easy, and it was a tough game.
“We had a young team out but tried to give it a go. It was hard and we just hit a wall. It's never going to be easy, but it was a learning curve for the younger players.”
For Diagouraga, who played a key role last season, it was only a second start of the campaign following an under-par display at Gillingham.
However, he reckons he is now fully fit and has warned the midfielders ahead of him not to take their places for granted.
He said: “I'm hoping I will get more of a look in now. I came back from injury and have been working hard, but the team has been playing well.
“I'm ready now, and when I get my chance again I'm confident I will stay there. We have a good squad, but there's only four games been played and there's 42 left. I can only control what I do and give 100 per cent.”
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