It is not just Southampton that Brentford have been casting admiring glances at this season - but south coast neighbours Bournemouth too.

Club chairman Cliff Crown yesterday admitted that the Bees want to emulate Southampton in implementing a new structure, with a head coach working under a sporting director, who is responsible for player recruitment.

The changes, which will come into place for next season, will see manager Mark Warburton, assistant manager David Weir and sporting director Frank McParland leave the club.

But Warburton, whose side take on Bournemouth tomorrow, admits the Championship leaders are a club Brentford are also keen to follow in the footsteps of.

He said: “Bournemouth are a very strong side, and there's no doubt about the challenge they will pose on Saturday.

Cherry on the cake: Warburton is a big fan of he way Bournemouth play

“We've said since the start of the season that we can learn from this club, and while we're till a few months behind them, I believe we have.

“When we went down there in League One, there was still one stand missing, but when we went back down at the start of this season not only was the whole place looking good, but there was not an empty seat in it.

We came away from their place with a lot of belief. We may have lost, but we played some great football and really had them on the ropes for the last half hour.

“Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job. They move the ball around well, and I want us to do the same. We're not a physically intimidating with players over 6ft, so we have to look after the ball.”

Jake Bidwell will again be suspended for the clash, but the Bees could welcome back Alan Judge and James Tarkowski.