Brentford were beaten 1-0 by Walsall in Saturday's FA Cup tie, with Dean Smith making five changes for the contest.
James Tarkowski and Toumani Diagouraga were rested amid transfer speculation over the pair of them. Lasse Vibe, Maxime Colin were given the weekend off, while Alan Judge was on the bench.
Coming into the side were Jack O'Connell, Josh McEachran, Philipp Hofmann, Nico Yennaris and Alan McCormack.
However, Brentford produced what could be considered their worst performance of the season, particularly in the first-half and, coupled with Walsall's excellent display both in attack and defence, meant the result was a fair one.
Below are five talking points to emerge from the game.
Making changes was the right choice
It would be hypocritical of me to criticise Dean Smith's team selection when I would only have made one alteration to his starting XI with Sam Saunders starting instead of Alan McCormack.
The reason was, with Josh McEachran partnering Ryan Woods, it would have allowed Saunders to roam forward more and provide a creative spark, while giving Alan Judge a rest.
As it was, having three defensively minded midfielders on the pitch meant that the Bees lacked creative spark in the first-half, until Alan Judge came on.
Smith told fans to hold judgement on his changes until after Friday's game with Burnley. Whatever happens against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, or the Clarets won't change my viewpoint that Smith, by and large, got selection right.
Alan Judge is crucial
As mentioned above, Brentford only looked threatening once Alan Judge came on as a half-time substitute.
The midfielder changed the game and provided some much-needed spark that wasn't there in the first-half.
If Brentford had got back onto level pegging, Judge would have been involved in the goal in some way.
Despite a bid from Sheffield Wednesday being rejected in the week, the midfielder being involved spoke volumes about his feelings for the club.
Judge, understandably, wouldn't be drawn on where his future holds after a bid from Sheffield Wednesday was rejected last week.
However, the fact he was involved in the squad spoke volumes and it is understood that Judge is settled in west London. On the other hand, Toumani Diagouraga and James Tarkowski have intimated that they'd like to speak to Rangers and Burnley respectively.
The Irishman is the club's talisman and, were he to be sold this month, it would probably spell the end of the season as far as the Bees competing for a play-off spot.
Brentford still miss Jonathan Douglas
Smith selecting three defensive minded midfielders had a lot to do with the club lacking any spark but it is clear the club are yet to replace Jonathan Douglas.
The Irishman fell out with the hierarchy at the club and was told he could leave in the summer, joining Ipswich on a free transfer.
While it is clear that Douglas was difficult to handle off the pitch, what he brought on the pitch is still being missed.
He would mop up attacks and charge forward, turning Brentford's 4-2-3-1 formation into one more akin to a 4-1-3-2 and Douglas scored eight goals last season
Ryan Woods, Alan McCormack, Toumani Diagouraga and Josh McEachran, who all play in the holding role, haven't found the net as often.
McCormack is the closest to Douglas in style but he has only scored three times for Brentford since joining in 2013. Diagouraga hasn't scored since Good Friday in 2013 and even that was a goalkeeping error.
Woods scored a sensational goal against Reading; the second of his career, while McEachran hasn't found the net yet in senior football.
Saunders future in doubt
As mentioned above, Saturday's game would have been perfect to give Sam Saunders a run-out from the start.
The popular midfielder would have added creative spark but, instead, he was left to warm the bench.
It may be that Smith decides to start Saunders against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night after Sergi Canos played the whole 90 minutes for the first time in his senior career.
His contract is expiring in the summer and the non-selection points towards a player who is likely to leave Griffin Park at the end of the season.
A weekend off helpful
Leeds saw off Rotherham in their FA Cup third round tie, which means the meeting on January 30 will now be rearranged.
This will give Brentford a break before the trip to Brighton on February 5 and it may be advantageous to Smith.
Since joining the club, it has been a busy run of fixtures and the break would allow some of the squad to have a rest but also allow the head coach more time with his charges to implement some of his other ideas.
It also gives the recruitment team more scope to source players, without the distraction of a game against Leeds with the deadline day falling on Monday February 1.
