Brentford are even more hungry to win title, says new-boy Will Grigg

 
One of nine summer signings made by Brentford, Will Grigg scored 20 goals for Walsall last season
Giuseppe Muro31 July 2013

It has been a long summer at Griffin Park. After the devastation of blowing automatic promotion on the final day of last season and losing in the League One Play-Off Final, Brentford supporters could be forgiven for feeling gloomy ahead of the new campaign.

But any uncertainty that followed their disappointment has given way to measured excitement that the club will again be pushing for a place in the Championship.

The bookmakers have Brentford as second favourites for the League One title. Uwe Rosler promised his team would return stronger this season and, despite losing Simon Moore and Harry Forrester, the manager has one of the best squads in the division.

A promising pre-season campaign concluded with a 3-2 victory over Premier League new boys Cardiff last night, a game in which Everton loanee Conor McAleny scored twice.

The result added to the optimism ahead of Saturday’s curtain raiser at Port Vale.

“Last season is forgotten about,” said new signing Will Grigg.

“The lads still talk about it now and then but we know there is no point letting it get to us.

“There is an added hunger to succeed this season because no one wants that to happen again and that can only benefit us in the long run.

“Everyone is really focused on the new season and we have got a squad that are capable of getting automatic promotion and even winning the League title.”

Grigg, one of nine summer signings, arrives at Griffin Park with real pedigree. The 22-year-old forward scored 20 goals for Walsall last season and was on the radar of Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich.

The Northern Ireland international was also linked with several clubs in the Championship but elected to join Brentford instead.

“As soon as I met the manager and the owner [Matthew Benham], they sold the club to me. They have got a vision of where they want to be and, having been so close last year, there is only one aim here this year and that is promotion.”After coming through the ranks at Walsall, Grigg made his senior debut in 2008, scoring 28 goals in 109 games for the club.

He made his international debut against Holland last year and is seen by many as the man to lead Northern Ireland’s attack in years to come.

Walsall were desperate to keep him following an impressive season and Brentford will have to pay compensation because of his age.

“It is alright to look back at what I did last season but this is a new chapter in my career and I need to make a good impression here,” said Grigg, who said that Rosler played a big part in his move.

“You want to be working with coaches of his calibre and with him being a striker in his playing days, that will help me as well.

“We have had a good pre-season so hopefully we can hit the ground running and I can score some goals.”

Rosler looks to have made a number of astute signings in his bid to lead Brentford into the Championship for only the second time in 60 years.

McAleny, 20, looks a real talent; Villarreal defender Javi Venta, 37, and Swindon captain Alan McCormack, 29, will add experience to a talented young squad, while George Saville has joined on loan from Chelsea until January.

Goalkeeper David Button, 24, joined from Charlton yesterday and Rosler has been told he can spend some of the money received for Moore on further additions.

Rosler, who has denied reports linking Brentford with a move for Swindon keeper Wes Foderingham, said last night: “After a very good campaign last season, we wanted to provide more competition to keep everyone at the club hungry.

“We have come through the pre-season in a good way and it is looking very promising for us but that counts for nothing. Saturday is the measurement for us.”

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