David Raya is adamant that Brentford won’t become complacent heading into the final weeks of the season, with the focus on creating momentum heading into the playoffs. 

The Bees saw off relegation battlers Rotherham United 1-0 on Tuesday night, thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s header midway through the first-half, creating a four-point cushion between themselves and fourth-placed Bournemouth in the SkyBet Championship table. 

The victory over the Millers extended Thomas Frank’s side’s unbeaten run to ten games, having last tasted defeat on the first weekend of March to table-toppers Norwich City. 

And that winning mentality is exactly what Raya believes will help the team heading into the playoff campaign, having lost out to rivals Fulham in the promotion lottery final last season. 

“It was a massive three points in the game in hand that we had,” the shot-stopper said. 

“It was a good performance, but an ugly game, but these wins taste even better because they put us on the back foot from the start of the game. 

“They pressed high and put balls in the box, and the team performance was magnificent, and that’s exactly what we have to keep doing in the next few weeks. 

“We want to win as many games as we can and go into the playoffs with big form.

“It’s very important to put a statement out there, we’ve got two more games to go and they’ll be tough as well. 

“We want to put a statement to the league and the other teams in the playoffs to say that we are here to compete.”

The visitors gave as good as they got for much of the 90 minutes in Tuesday’s affair, with Paul Warne’s men giving their all as they battle for their lives in the lower reaches of the table. 

But after getting to grips with the Millers’ high-tempo performance, the Bees took the lead as Mbeumo got his head on Sergi Canos’ delivery to get his second goal in as many matches. 

Raya had to be on his toes to keep out Chiedozie Ogbene’s header soon after, before Ivan Toney struck a post at the other end. 

Toney and Marcus Forss both spurned chances to double the advantage after the break, but the Bees held firm at the back to claim the one-goal victory, making it five clean sheets in the last six matches. 

Only Cardiff have managed to breach the Brentford rearguard from the penalty spot in those outings, and Raya believes the solidity of his side is down to the endeavour of his teammates all over the pitch.  

“Clean sheets are really important for the team, and Brian is always really happy with the clean sheets,” he said. 

“Five in six is really good in this division, although we should really have six in six. 

“I’m happy, but we defend from the front as a team and as a collective, and that’s what keeps clean sheets.

“It creates great confidence for the team, the players and the staff, so we have to carry on this run and try to get three points on Saturday.”