Sam Saunders: My reflection on historic Brentford B season

It was thanks in large part to the west Londoners’ longest winning streak since re-joining the PDL, where they were unbeaten for 10 straight games, including eight wins in a row, and seven of those coming in league action. For Saunders, the way his side approached the final game of the season against Swansea City, with just a point required for the title, highlighted the mentality within the group. “I was really proud of the boys to perform in the manner that they did, even though we obviously drew the game and we knew a draw would be enough, we played for the win,” he said.

“We reacted really well to going 2-1 down, so that was really good to see out of the boys when it wasn’t going our way, how they got together and got the job done. “It’s something that they’ve deserved for their efforts throughout the whole season. Performance-wise, it’s been a very high bar that they’ve set week in, week out, with the ball and without the ball.

“It was pleasing to get it done back at the Gtech in front of their friends and family, who have sacrificed so much throughout their careers. ” Saunders’ side is the first to claim the PDL title in consecutive years, after getting the job done in the play-offs last year, having finished second in the South table. This season, they claimed the title after finishing top of the 20-team league in a revamped format.

It didn’t come without its challenges, however, as squad changes saw a new-look group take to the pitch across the season. Ethan Brierley (Exeter City), Ben Krauhaus (Bromley), Tony Yogane (Dundee) and Benjamin Fredrick (FCV Dender) went out on loan at the start of the season, while Iwan Morgan (Shrewsbury Town) and Michael Olakigbe (Swindon Town) went on loan in January. Ashley Hay joined Dundee on a permanent deal in pre-season, while Chanse Headman made the permanent move to Harrogate Town in January.