SOFTLY, SOFTLY BEES ON PLAY-OFF FRINGES
BRENTFORD goalkeeper Dan Bentley believes his side can cause an upset in the race for promotion and finish above those Championship rivals with larger budgets.
The 24-year-old keeper has been part of a Bees squad that struggled at the start of the campaign.
The did not win a league game until September 23 but have since established themselves on the fringes of the play-offs.
In their fourth consecutive season in the division, Bentley believes some people still view the Bees as promotion underdogs but says the team are happy to be viewed as such.
“We’re happy to go about our work quietly,” said former Southend man Bentley.
“If we want to be classed as an underdog, that’s not our problem.
“We know what we want to achieve and we believe we can achieve those aims. The ball is in our court.
“If we can go on a run, don’t get too complacent, stay focused and grounded, then we can cause an upset if you call it that.
“We believe we’ve got the quality.”
After Brentford’s 2-0 win at Sunderland last weekend, Black Cats boss Chris Coleman stated his belief that the Bees don’t have the necessary finances to support a promotion bid.
Bentley is of the opposite opinion.
“We know it’s not all about budgets,” Bentley added. “We finished above Villa last year. Their budget is God knows how many times ours.
“I’m sure their budget is larger than ours.
“Birmingham, again, have a bigger budget. It’s about passion, desire, wanting to work hard for the guys next to you.
“That’s the main thing for me and how much you want it at the end of the day.
“We didn’t win at the start of the season but that seems a distant memory now.”