"They were all heroes and they showed the kind of hunger and passion that I will demand in the months ahead."
His first day nerves were eased by an opening 45 minutes which saw his side surge to a two goal lead.
Striker Marcus Stewart hit the first after just 11 minutes after a knock back from Guy Madjo, and Scott Brown curled home a beauty from a free kick on the edge of the box with 39 minutes gone.
The home side barely managed a shot on target as City ran riot down the flanks. A furious Bees boss, Martin Allen, hauled off strikers Isaiah Rankin and Lloyd Owusu at the break and Brentford showed more purpose going forward.
The visitors survived two penalty appeals while still managing to pose a threat at the other end, Brown and Stewart both firing narrowly wide just before the hour mark.
They were made to pay for the misses on 66 minutes when Bees substitute Paul Brooker nipped in between a hesitant defender and keeper to score.
But the hope was short lived as Steve Brooker powered home an unstoppable header seven minutes later to stretch the Robins lead.
Luke Wilkshire missed a penalty, and Sam Sodje pulled one back for the Bees - but it was not enough to save them from defeat.