Sam Saunders is enjoying working with new Brentford head coach Dean Smith and believes the Bees can challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
Brentford are sitting outside the play-offs as 2015 turns into 2016 and Smith has overseen three wins, two draws and a defeat in his six games in charge.
And Saunders enjoys working with the new Bees boss, who had the fortune to come in after Lee Carsley laid the foundations during his two-month spell in charge.
Smith has given Saunders game-time as well, preferring him to wing wizard Jota in recent weeks as the Spaniard regains full fitness.
Saunders said: “He's an honest guy and he's straight up. He knows his football. He knew me from playing against him for the last few years.
“He knows what he gets with me so if he needs a job done he can use me as and when he needs to. It's nice to be getting minutes. You want as many as you can.
“He's been doing well. Training has been great. He was lucky, and he said so himself, to come in when he did. Lee and Paul Williams put us in good stead and we're grateful to them for that.”
Brentford start the year on the outside of the play-offs but, if they maintain their form, will go into the top six and Saunders is eyeing those spots.
He added: “We always set our targets high. If not, what do you have to aim for? We're looking up, not down.
“We're going steadily in the last couple of months and let's hope we continue to go in this direction.”
Brentford travel to Birmingham on Saturday and Saunders is looking to start 2016 as 2015 ended.
He explained: “Their last few results haven't been as good as earlier this season. We'll go there looking for the win.
“The gaffer gave us the game plan. We wanted three points on Monday and were delighted to come away with three points on Monday.”
They'll come up against former Bee Clayton Donaldson, who is returning to fitness after recent injury problems.
Saunders added: “We know his strengths and weaknesses. We'll try and exploit his weaknesses and keep his strengths as quiet as we can.”
