Brentford B assistant coach Sam Saunders felt the test in Belgium against OH Leuven served as a brilliant challenge as they set their sights on a positive end to the 2022/23 campaign.

The young Bees have lots to play for in the coming weeks as they face Newcastle United on Friday at the Powerday Stadium before two matches at the Gtech Community Stadium. The B team will contest for the Premier League Cup trophy against Blackburn Rovers on 9 May before they face Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad on 19 May in the Robert Rowan Invitational.

Having seen his team narrowly beaten 2-1 by Leuven, Sam felt the side put up a brilliant challenge against a more experienced side.

He explained: “It was a really good game, and a really tough test. It was perhaps one of the toughest tests of the season and we had some really good individual performances. Collectively our shape had to be bang on and if it wasn’t they can play through because of their quality. We played in a fantastic stadium with a great pitch and conditions for a game of football. We can’t ask for better prep leading into Newcastle on Friday and then the final in the Premier League Cup on Tuesday. I’m proud of the boys because they left everything out there. Time and time again you look at their work rate and endeavour, what they give to the cause makes you proud to be a part of the group.

Watch Sam's full interview above

“We rode our luck at times when they hit the bar and the post but when it went to 1-1 we had a couple of moments where we could’ve nicked it. Sometimes you have to stay in the game, suffer, and work as a collective and the moments will come. Unfortunately, we didn’t take those moments at 1-1. To concede with four minutes to go and lose to 2-1 was disappointing for the group. We told them not to be too disappointed or lose belief because that is some prep going into the last three games of the season. It’s another fantastic trip and fixture.”

The side have had many challenges against senior opponents this season, including five matches in Portugal earlier this year. They competed in the Atlantic Cup in February and Sam says the match with Leuven was right up there in terms of the tests that the players have had to face.

He continued: “It’s easy in the emotion of the game to say it’s a top game or the best we’ve had, but I think it’s in our top five this season because of the strength of their squad, where they finished in their league and the fitness levels they’re at. We’ve played against a lot of top teams, especially in the Atlantic Cup but those teams were in their pre-season so they were building fitness and sharpness, but this team have just finished their season. They changed nine players at half-time so it was a really good test.”

Following the match with Newcastle the Bees turn their attentions to the Premier League Cup final on Tuesday 9 May at 7:45pm. The former Bees player and now coach hopes to see as many Brentford fans in attendance as possible.

“We want as many Brentford fans down at the stadium as possible, said Sam. “It’s the first time the B team will play at the Gtech and it’s an important game. It will be really nice if they (the fans) can get down in their numbers and make some noise. The boys have worked so hard over the course of the season and hopefully the boys can put on a show for the fans. Please come down in your numbers and cheer on the boys because they deserve it.”