Brentford have become a topic of discussion on a recent podcast involving Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw.
Forshaw spent time with Brentford earlier in his career, turning out on 100 times for the Bees between 2012 and 2014.
The 28-year-old was part of the squad that lost the 2013 League One play-off final to Yeovil Town, but then played a major role in helping the Bees to automatic promotion the following year, making 40 appearances across all competitions.
Recently, Forshaw featured on Colin Murray’s 52 podcast, with the midfielder quizzed on the importance of one player walking through the door at a certain club.
That took Forshaw down the path of his time with Brentford, where he talked up the arrival of Clayton Donaldson.
In response to the question, he told Murray: “The first person that comes to my mind when I was at Brentford for the first two years – when we got beat in the play-off final, then got promoted the following season – we were a different side, for the worst, when Clayton Donaldson didn’t play up-front for us.
“He’s not one of the best players I’ve played with, but at that time, what he did for us in terms of running channels, he was big, he was hard work - we struggled without him.
“I would say he was the most important player for us and he gained me a promotion.”
Between 2011 and 2014, Donaldson made 155 appearances for the Bees, scoring 53 goals in all competitions.
In the promotion-winning campaign of 2013/14, Donaldson scored 17 league goals.
Currently the striker turns out for Bradford City in League Two.
QUIZ: Can you name the player who scored the first Brentford goal in each of the last 16 seasons?
The Verdict
Forshaw has spoken a lot about his Leeds career in recent weeks, so it is good to see him looking back on a different stage in his career.
It’s clear that the spell he had at Brentford meant a lot to him, with Donaldson clearly a big part of things during his time at Griffin Park.
His goals, work rate and attitude combined made him a key part of the squad that Forshaw, and presumably his teammates, appreciated.
Thoughts? Let us know!