Brentford midfielder Ryan Woods was again linked with Championship rivals Sunderland over the weekend, with suggestions that the Black Cats might make a move in January.

It's not the first time the north-east side have shown a interest in the player – he was reportedly being monitored by the then freshly-relegated former Premier League side over the summer.

Here, we look at why Woods would be better off staying with the Bees – and why we're confident the club will fight to keep him.

Well under contract

The Birmingham Three: Brentfod had little choice but to sell Jota, Maxime Colin and Harlee Dean

Having seen the club lose Harlee Dean, Jota and Maxime Colin on deadline day, Bees fans could be forgiven for thinking they would take the money and run for Woods as well.

Not so. Brentford's hands were tied with Dean and Jota, who were in the last year of their contracts and showed no sign of penning new ones, meaning they would have left for free next year.

Colin's departure was more of a shock, but once a release clause amount in his contract was met, there was once again little the Bees could do about it.

At the same time, Brentford turned down approaches for other players during the transfer window who were nicely tied down on longer term deals, and whose future they had more of a say over.

Woods only signed a new four-year contract with the club a year ago, so the Bees have no such fear of losing him for nothing if they don't sell in January.

The Midlands connection

Former Walsal boss: Dean Smith

Woods grew up a Walsall fan, and while he didn't make the grade with the club he supported as a lad, he is a Black Country lad through and through.

The presence of former Walsall boss Dean Smith at Brentford, along with former Saddlers players Romaine Sawyers and Rico Henry, means there is a strong connection with that part of the Midlands at Griffin Park, which could sway Woods' thinking.

The main man

Midfield general: Woods in action

It took Woods a little while to break into the Brentford side following his move from Shrewsbury two years ago, but he has since become one of the most important players at the club.

His first full season was an excellent one – Woods was a virtual ever present, making 45 appearances, and the esteem in which his team-mates hold him was evident in him being voted Players' Player of the Year.

Not even the arrival of another defensive midfielder in the shape of Kamohelo Mokotjo has kept him out of the side this season, the two sometimes playing together or Woods often being preferred when both are available.

Much loved

Back in action: Woods against Wolves

Woods suffered a horrible family tragedy suffered last month when he and his partner lost the baby they were expecting. The player later released a statement thanking the club for the love and compassion they had shown.

Having missed a handful of games to be with his family and friends during a tough time, Woods was given a huge ovation by Bees fans when he came on as a sub in the next two games on his return, against QPR and Wolves.

There was never any doubt before how much Woods was loved by the Griffin Park faithful, but that only served to confirm it. Bees fans always take to a player who works hard and gives his all for the shirt – and Woods is certainly one of them.

A step up?

Having a bad time of it: Sunderland fans

Yes, Sunderland are a big club, certainly a much bigger club than Brentford, but would it be the right move for Woods at this point in his career?

While he's the type of player Black Cats fans would probably warm to quickly for his hard running as well as his tackling and passing abilities, it's a club which has continued in a downward spiral since relegation from the top flight, and which actually now sits below the Bees in the Championship table.

Things may well be different in January, and Sunderland may have turned things around. But if they haven't, Woods will be walking straight into a pressure cooker environment, and any kind of honeymoon period would be over very quickly.

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