Andre Gray believes he is fitter than he has ever been and believes can fire Brentford to promotion.
The striker, who has been the subject of a bid from Hull in the last 24 hours, believes he knows what to expect from Championship defenders after his incredible season last term.
The former Luton man scored 18 goals in all competitions last term after making the step up from scoring 30 goals to fire Luton back into the Football League in his second year with the Hatters.
With a season of Championship in his legs, Gray feels he is able to push on in his second year in the second tier.
Speaking after Brentford's friendly defeat with Luton, he said: “I think I'm mentally fitter as well. I know I am fitter and I am able to compete at this level.
“Anything I do better than last year is going to be a success again. I'm still learning so hopefully I can hit the heights of last season and go from there.”
Gray and Brentford were an unknown for the Championship last season but teams will be more wary about the Bees come August 8 after they finished fifth in the second tier last term.
In pictures: Brentford's remarkable 2014/15 season
The striker added: “I think I know what I've got to face as well. I've learnt a lot in every game. It's about how I play, not the opposition.
“I know that on my day, not many people can stop me so it's just a case of getting that right in my head.
“People spend money every season and people say they're the favourites. We were favourites to go down but finished fifth last year so we want to go better this year.
“We're a year more experienced. If we'd got to where we were last year we'd have done it with of experience. That experience will stand us in good stead.”
Gray is looking forward to continuing his work with Marinus Dijkhuizen and has been impressed by the changes owner Matthew Benham has implemented.
He also has new strike partners in Philipp Hofmann and Lasse Vibe. Indeed the prospect of seeing Hofmann and Gray up front together appears to be a mouthwatering prospect.
The frontman said: “He's got the same philosophy as the old gaffer so that was easy for us to settle into. There's a culture change and there's a bit more science in it.
“We have a set-piece specialist, a dead ball specialist and a psychologist.
“Everyone has settled in well. We're an open group of lads and accept everybody that walks in through the door.
“Philipp is a good lad. We get on well and they speak very good English which helps us integrate together.”
Gray was so used to playing at Kenilworth Road he even was heading towards the home dugout after half-time, instead of the visitors one. He said: “Everyone knows I loved it here but it was time to move on.”
It's not the first time a sportsman has headed towards his old position. Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton drove into the McLaren pit box by accident soon after moving to Mercedes.
