Jake Bidwell has been amazed by Brentford's development rate in his three and a half years with the club.

The 22-year-old has made 157 appearances for the Bees since first joining on loan from Everton as an 18-year-old in November 2011.

The Bees, at that time, were in the early stages of the revolution of their playing style, sitting in mid-table in League One.

But, three and a half years later, Brentford are just outside the Championship play-off spots in their first season in the second tier since 1992/93.

Bidwell said: “When I first came, I signed on loan for a month but three and a bit years later I'm still here.

“I couldn't have dreamed of that. From where the club was to where it is now is unbelievable. We've got five games to really do something special.

“Everything has been upped in standard. It's just a completely different club to the one I first joined and I'm sure it'll keep improving. I hope to keep improving as well.”

Bidwell has also led the side on occasions when Tony Craig and Jonathan Douglas are out of the team and he has relished the role.

He said: “It's always an honour to captain the side. I've done it on a couple of occasions now. It's always an honour to get the armband when asked.”