James Tarkowski believes Brentford can maintain their surprise package status and cross the finish line to clinch automatic promotion.

Very few people expected the Bees to be in the promotion hunt at the start of the season but, with 10 games left, Brentford are four points off top with only Derby to play of their promotion rivals.

Were the final games to go to the results from earlier in the season, Brentford, incredibly, would find themselves in second place behind Bournemouth .

Tarkowski said: “We've got to fancy ourselves. We're four points off top with 10 games left and a lot of teams have to play each other. We have to make sure we're doing everything right.

“We always check to see if we've gone up the table. It's so tight and teams are beating each other.

“You've got to be professional as you can. When you get to the next game, hopefully you feel as good as you can do for the next game.”

Brentford were impressive in the first-half against Saturday's opponents Cardiff earlier in the season, cruising to a 3-0 lead but allowed the Bluebirds to come back after the break , inspired by Kenwyne Jones.

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Tarkowski, who was on the bench that day, added: “We were very good that day and they struggled with our intensity and the way we moved the ball.

“They came out after a kick up the backside but we dealt with it and we got the three points.

“They were very direct and they get the ball forward. We must look to impose our game on them.”

Whether Brentford win promotion or not, Mark Warburton will leave the club at the end of the season and Tarkowski left the rationale of the decision for owner Matthew Benham to explain .

Tarkowski said: “It's something I've never experienced before. It's the owner's choice and he can do what he likes. I'm sure he's looking for a positive reaction from it.”