The Brentford Head Coach was speaking after his usual Thursday afternoon press conference when he was asked about the progress of the B Team this season.

He said: "It's worked fantastically well for us as a football club. I've got a lot of respect for Kevin [O'Connor] and how he coaches, and how good he's got at the job. We talk daily, and he's certainly improving the players.

"We have one or two train with us most days, one will travel with us every now and again. I've said before, Chris Mepham getting into the squad has given everybody a big boost from that B Team. There is a pathway for them and it is a model for us that, if we are honest, was a bit of a gamble and a risk to get rid of the academy, but it seems to be working really well for us."

Dean was present as the squad defeated Manchester United at Griffin Park last month, as were Thomas Frank and Richard O'Kelly during the win over Chelsea at Jersey Road. Dean outlined the importance of keeping track of the club's second squad.

"It's important that we're there, we get regular feedback from Kevin and Allan [Steele] as well as the staff. As I say, we work with them daily as a couple of them train with us and that pathway is a really good one for us.

"It's gone from strength to strength. I don't think any of us could have envisaged it being as successful as it has been so far. The quality of the games we have been getting; Manchester United, Chelsea and we played a Chinese team that I watched here on the Tuesday as well.

"The players could slide into our squad no problem, the way they are coached means they would also understand how the structure of the team works as well."

BBC Radio London's Phil Parry then asked Dean for some players to look out for in this year's side. The Head Coach responded with a few names.

"People will know Reece Cole obviously," said Dean. "He was with us pre-season. Marcus Forss is the top scorer this season, he's done ever so well. There's a number of them, obviously Ellery Balcombe is also a goalkeeper that's been playing regularly for England Under-19s. There are a lot of players in there who have been in and around our squad for a long time."

Don’t forget, our First Team will be back at Griffin Park next week, when we face local rivals Queens Park Rangers in our penultimate home fixture this season. Tickets our game against The R’s (Saturday 21 April) are available to previous ticket purchasers and selling fast so secure your place online here.