Nico Yennaris believes there are hallmarks of the 2014/15 Brentford side that made the play-offs under Mark Warburton in the 2016/17 squad under Dean Smith.

The Bees finished fifth in the league, against all expectations, two seasons ago and, after a transitional year last term, are in the play-off positions after a bright start to the campaign.

And the former Arsenal man sees similarities in the two teams, even though this season is still in its infancy.

He said: “I have the same feeling. There is that unity in the dressing room. It took a while for the new players to settle in.

“I feel there's that unity now in the dressing room similar to the previous squad. The performances are matching the performances from the last squad.

Aston Villa's Jordan Amavi is tackled by Brentford's Nico Yennaris and Maxime Colin
Aston Villa's Jordan Amavi is tackled by Brentford's Nico Yennaris and Maxime Colin

“We're in a similar, if not better, position in the league from that team. As long as we stay fit and healthy and playing well there's nothing that stops us from pushing for the automatic places or play-offs if that doesn't work.”

While few would give Brentford much hope of finishing as champions this year, that is the aim within the squad with their attitude being, if you're not aiming to finish first then what is the point of competing.

Yennaris added: “Every season, you want to be the champion. If it doesn't work out you look for the next place down and so on and so forth.

“Everyone believes we've got a great chance as long as we take each game one at a time. As long as we perform well, who knows what can happen.”

Steve McClaren and Ian Holloway
Steve McClaren and Ian Holloway

Fans have been unhappy at the lack of credit Brentford have received outside of the club in the past week, despite three excellent results.

However, Yennaris and the Brentford squad do not care and the midfielder believes it's similar to that season under Warburton.

He explained: “I don't care. It's fine. The more games you're an underdog the better it is because we play without fear.

“We had a similar thing when Warburton was here. People didn't believe we'd finish fifth and we did.

“People didn't respect us in a way. People thought we were little old Brentford. We're not going to be a pushover and we've gone to big places and played teams off the park. We know our job and get on with it.”