Millwall striker heads back to Griffin Park free of any mental issues from season-ending injury there last season
Adam Barrett doesn’t believe there will be any mental scars for Tom Bradshaw as he heads back to Brentford’s Griffin Park tomorrow.
The Millwall striker suffered cruciate knee ligament damage last November in a 2-0 defeat in west London.
Bradshaw, 27, returned to the first-team picture in pre-season and has scored four goals in 12 appearances this season – including an excellently-taken first time effort in the 2-1 win over Leeds before the international break.
Asked if the forward could be affected by a return to where his last campaign was wrecked, Lions caretaker boss Barrett said: “I don’t see that.
“Bradders is in a really good place at the moment – mentally and physically. He has got a smile on his face and his form recently has been excellent.
“He is a really good professional who goes about his work in the right way. He’ll be looking forward to the weekend, no doubt.
“He’ll be looking to continue his recent good form.
“Everything around the training ground and going into the game has been done with a positive mindset.”
Brentford have won only once at home this season in the league and have drawn their two most recent fixtures on home turf against Bristol City (1-1) and Stoke City (0-0).
“They are a very good side that has been established in the Championship for a good few years,” said Barrett. “They are a very good possession team and they can hurt you going forward.
“They play quite expansively and move the ball quickly. They have players in form like Ollie Watkins.
“We’ll have to defend well. It is a good test for us. I don’t think they have let a lot of goals in this year but we believe we can go there and get some points.”
Barrett says he would have liked to build on the momentum of the victory over Leeds instead of going into an international break.
“On the flip side it gives us a bit of time to work and put some ideas in place,” he said. “You can’t control these things when players go on international duty. Hopefully our boys come back unscathed.”
PICTURE BY BRIAN TONKS