Brentford are a side still very much in transition recently, after struggling last season to survive despite making the play-offs the season before that.

It was all change at Brentford last summer with a new manager in the shape of Marinus Dijkhuizen, who had come in for the departed Mark Warburton.

They also lost other key players such as Andre Gray, Stuart Dallas, Toumani Diagarouga and Jonathan Douglas to rival Championship sides whilst wingers Jota and Alex Pritchard also left.

Some risky summer signings were made and Brentford had a difficult season with Dijkhuizen one of the first managerial casualties, being replaced by Lee Carsley at first but Dean Smith took permanent charge eventually.

Star man Alan Judge carried them for most of the season with 14 goals and earned a nomination for Player of the Year.

Also summer signing Lasse Vibe came good with eight goals in the run in and the returning Scott Hogan looked promising as well.

Here is the XI Brentford need to field if they are to make top 6......

 

GK - Daniel Bentley

Daniel Bentleyll

The former Southend goalkeeper was one of the most sought after young talents in the Football League, being linked to Premier League clubs before Brentford snapped him up only having to pay compensation due to his young age.

At 22, he has made well over 100 appearances for Southend in League 1 and 2 and has been highly praised by critics and tipped for big things.

He has considered for the England U21 side and in the 14/15 campaign helped Southend reach promotion to League 1 being named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Bentley will be a key player for the Bees next season.

LB - Luke Garbutt

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The Everton youngster could be just what the Bees need at full back, after losing their star left back and captain Jake Bidwell to rivals QPR.

The 23- year-old is highly rated at Goodison Park and spent last season on loan at Brentford's rival Fulham, and played 24 games scoring one goal.

He was inconsistent for Fulham and most fans will agree he wasn't at his best, meaning he has not impressed the management at Everton to start ahead of Leighton Baines.

Brentford now have no left back so a swift move for Garbutt would be wise who will be hoping another move to West London can help bolster his CV.

RB - Maxime Colin

Maxime ColinMaxime Colin

The French defender was mainly used at right back when Nico Yennaris was pushed forward - and with Alan McCormack leaving for Brentford, he is the only established right back.

Whilst they need to add depth in this sector Colin showed enough promise last season to be first choice.

He suffered from injury early in the season with knee ligament damage keeping him out for three months, but when returning he has missed just 3 games and is crucial to the back four unit.

The 24-year-old has France U20 experience and put in some positive displays last season, and his defensive work has improved.

The fans will hope for some more good link up play next season.

CB - Harlee Dean

Harlee DeanHarlee Dean

The 24- year-old has made over 150 appearances for Brentford since his move from Southampton.

There's a chance he could be captain next season and he is without doubt the best centre back at the club.

It's been a hard fight establishing himself in the first team but the departure of James Tarkowski last summer boosted his role in the side, and he only missed 4 games last season..

He seems to be over his injury woes and has been with Brentford since their promotion from League 1 and was crucial to them making the Championship play-offs a couple of seasons back, with him likely to become captain due to Bidwell's departure, his role in the side has become more pivotal.

CB - Yoann Barbet

Yoann Barbetdd

His positive displays last season means he is likely to start the season in the first team.

After moving from France in last summer, he struggled with injury at first and couldn't break into the first team - but the departure of Tarkowski gave him a chance.

After eventually usurping O'Connell he became Dean's main partner in central defence, providing an attacking threat as well with numerous assists.

He scored his first goal against Charlton and made 18 appearances impressing Brentford fans, and manager Dean Smith will want his partnership with Dean to get even better next season.

CM - Josh McEachran

Josh McEachranJosh McEachran

The former Chelsea youngster seemed to have a future there with good loan spells at Middlesbrough in the Championship, and numerous ones abroad like with Vitesse.

But after falling out of favour he moved across London to Brentford and started the season well until fracturing his foot.

He filled in the role of Jonathan Douglas and Toumani Diagarouga very well and when returning, started every game until a re-occurrence of the injury kept him out for the rest of the season.

But his excellent passing and vision means when fit next season he will be a regular starter.

He is immensely talented and if he stays fit will be one of the best players in the Championship.

CM - Alejandro Faurlin

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The player's agent has confirmed the 29-year-old Argentine is on his way out of the club with Brentford and Fulham interested.

He is very experienced making well over 100 appearances for QPR, helping them win promotion and enduring relegation from the Premier League.

He made 30 appearances last season but seemed less favoured by new boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and is looking for a new club.

Brentford failed to get central midfield nailed down with McEachran injured regularly and they lost Douglas and Diagarouga in the transfer window.

He has won numerous accolades and Brentford could do with a player who knows how to win promotion.

Would be a good addition for any Championship side and if he goes to Brentford he won't have to uproot his life as he stays in West London.

LM - Alan Judge

Alan JudgeAlan Judge

Judge was by far and away the best player for Brentford last season, consistently performing every game and Brentford would have gone down without him.

His 14 goals and 11 assists make him one of the most lethal forwards in the league, even though used as a number 10 regularly pushing him out to the left will help accommodate new signing Romaine Sawyers.

A devastating injury suffered against Ipswich kept him out of Euro 2016 but he will be back next season, and if he replicates his form, Brentford will be flying.

His incredible form earned him a nomination for Championship Player of the Year and he swept the Brentford Player awards last season, easily Brentford's best player.

CAM - Romaine Sawyers

Romaine Sawyers

One of the most exciting transfers of the summer is Brentford signing Walsall sensation Romaine Sawyers, as the exodus continues for Walsall.

They nearly earned automatic promotion to the Championship due to the form of players like Sawyers, Bradshaw and Mantom, but they lost out in the play-offs.

His play was outstanding last season scoring 5 goals and laying off plenty of assists for teammates.

He was named in the PFA Team of the Year and came runner up to Bradley Dack in the League One Player of the Year.

Sawyers must now make the step up to the Championship after refusing a new contract at Walsall.

His pace and technical ability will make him a handful at this level.

RM - Lasse Vibe

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The 29-year-old Dane joined from Swedish side Goteborg, with the unenviable task of replacing the void left by Andre Gray who left for Burnley.

Managers didn't know his best position with him played on the right at times and as a lone striker.

But the introduction of Scott Hogan up front improved the form of Vibe, who scored seven times in seven games meaning he finished on 14 goals and joint top scorer for Brentford.

Some would like to see him play up front with Hogan but in order to utilise Sawyers or Judge as a Number 10 - you need a lone striker and Vibe has experience of playing on the right.

ST - Scott Hogan

scott hogand

After being extremely impressive for Rochdale in the 13/14 campaign scoring 17 goals, he joined Brentford in the summer of 2014.

But devastating ankle and knee injuries have seriously limited the 24-year-old's opportunities.

Hogan was in devastating form in the latter stages of last season, linking up well with Vibe and with quality players like Sawyers and Judge around him, he will bag 20 plus if he stays fit.

Could be the breakout star of next season which would be an amazing achievement after two difficult seasons.

Thoughts Brentford fans? Would you change the players or tactics? Leave  thoughts and opinions below!