Head coach Thomas Frank insists Brentford’s first Championship away win of the season is not far away after earning a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.
Neal Maupay’s 15th goal of the season cancelled out Eros Pisano’s first in English football as the Bees earned only a sixth point on their travels.
But, ahead of another testing trip to Birmingham City on Saturday, Frank was in upbeat mood.
He said: “I would settle for the same display at Birmingham on Saturday, with a little more luck.
“The header for Bristol’s goal would have gone wide if it had not hit a defender and overall I thought we deserved to win the game.
“If we keep playing like that the away victory will come.”
Frank was full of praise for striker Maupay, whose stunning 53rd-minute volley following a move down the right brought his second goal in as many games.
He added: “Neal is really on fire at the moment, scoring with a brilliant half-volley against Bolton and now, bang, with a great volley.
“He is so important to us. He is still young, but is very driven and had leadership potential.
“We are confident of keeping Neal in the January transfer window. I don’t want to even think about anything else.
“Our wide players are also dangerous and we were a threat going forward throughout this game.
“The only period that disappointed me was the last 10 minutes when we sat back too deep, possibly through lack of confidence.”
The Robins had taken a 20th-minute lead when Pisano’s downward header from a Jamie Paterson corner went in with the aid of a deflection.
Both sides had chances to claim the extra points from an open game and head coach Lee Johnson was also in positive mood.
He said: “There were a lot of positives for us. While some fans may have gone home thinking the glass is half empty, I regard it as half full.
“Of course our home form needs improving, but we have another chance to do that against Rotherham on Saturday.
“That is now a big game for us, but I was happy with a lot of what I saw and want the players to remain confident.
“We need a touch more steel and a bit more sparkle. We couldn’t find the right final pass, even though Brentford held a high line.
“Maybe we can add that bit extra through the transfer window or perhaps by promoting from within.
“Our league position sums up where we are at the moment. But we are not far away from being a very good Championship side.”
