Mark Warburton has been tipped to lead Brentford into the Premier League – by one who knows him best.

Mark Stow was chief scout at Watford when Bees boss Warburton was taking his first tentative steps in coaching at the Vicarage Road side's academy eight years ago.

Until last month, Stow was chief scout at Cardiff City , and was looking forward to a reunion with his former colleague when the Bluebirds entertain Brentford in the Welsh capital tomorrow.

But five weeks ago he moved on to take up a similar role, by coincidence, at Blackburn Rovers, who the Bees beat 3-1 at Griffin Park last Saturday.

Scouting around: Mark Stow was at Cardiff City until recently

Stow said: “I wasn't at the game as I was scouting elsewhere, but everyone at Blackburn has been speaking very glowingly of Brentford.

“At the moment, I definitely think they can do it. Teams like Brentford and Bournemouth have no fear as there is no expectation, and it shows in the way they play. They have a lot of pace down the flanks, which could be Cardiff's weak link

“They have a good chance, and I think they can definitely play-offs on current form. Everything fits, there is a good set up off the pitch and they are successful on it.

“Mark is well thought of in football circles and he is in a golden patch right now. He likes to play the game the right way, and I'm not surprised he has made is as a manager.

A big fan: West Brom's Keith Downing

“He became academy manager when I was at Watford after making his name with the U16s, and then the U18s. He would always be first in and would still be there long into the afternoon. He is not adverse to hard work because of his city background.

“I know Keith Downing (West Brom's academy coach, who tried two appoint Warburton as technical director at the Midlands club two years ago) always thought he was great and is still a really big fan of his.”

Brentford fans already have plenty to be thankful to Stow for – it was under his leadership that the Watford academy discovered Toumani Diagouraga playing football as a youngster in Paris.

Stow, who cut his teeth in management locally with a spell at Bedfont a decade ago, also runs a successful youth football club a stone's throw from where Brentford's new stadium will be built.

A Stow discovery: Toumani Diagouraga

Spartans FC are based at Carville Hall Park, adjacent to Lionel Road, and have seen numerous players go on to pro club academies. Their latest success stories are Bernard Mensah and Alex Jakubiak, who are on loan at Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively from Watford.

For those who don't earn pro deals, Stow is planning to set up a Spartans men's football team next season to play in the Middlesex County League.