Mark Warburton has been delighted with how his Brentford team have progressed ahead of what could be his last game in charge of the club.
Unless the Bees Wigan and Ipswich lose to Blackburn with a three-goal shift or Derby suffer a defeat to Reading, Warburton will end his career at Griffin Park by 4pm on Saturday.
Despite performing beyond all expectations in several games over the season, Warburton is thrilled with how his charges have improved.
He said: “It's more about the way the team have grown in self belief. You could say Forest away, Leeds away, Norwich away.
“We've gone to big venues and produced great performances but the way we've grown from Charlton to where we have been.”
In August, it had been thought that the Bees would be grateful to survive in the second tier but it was the third game, second in the league, when Warburton felt the squad had a good team.
He added: “The clicking point was the final 30 minutes at Bournemouth. I said in August Bournemouth would be top six and they've been promoted.
“From the 63rd minute we were outstanding. That was when we knew what was good enough.”
Warburton admitted that the leak over his future and the fallout from the mutual decision for club and manager to part ways at the end of the season was the low point.
He explained: “The fallout has to be the disappointment of the decision. What really upset us was the timing of the leak.
“I think it impacted Watford a little bit and then Charlton on Saturday. I have to respect the decision the board have made.
“They're a young group. That has to be the lowest point but hopefully there are more highs to come.”
The Bees have been involved in some thrillers but it was the two meetings with the Cherries that Warburton appeared to enjoy the most.
He said: “I loved playing against Bournemouth as it was a really good football match. We had a really open game at Norwich.
“Middlesbrough were best in organisation. Ipswich have been exceptional. The one team to match us in possession were Watford. I think those teams offer different strengths.”
As for players, Warburton has been an admirer of several players, notably Jacob Butterfield of Huddersfield.
The Bees boss added: “I think striking option; Patrick Bamford was excellent. You look at Nathan Redmond, Cameron Jerome, Callum Wilson.
“Jacob Butterfield has had a tremendous season at Huddersfield. The quality of the division has been a delight for us to look at.”
