Almost 100 Bees fans were at Griffin Park tonight for the latest Fans Forum.

Chairman Cliff Crown, Sporting Director Frank McParland, Chief Executive Mark Devlin, Manager Mark Warburton and Assistant Manager David Weir were all available to answer questions for around 90 minutes.

They spoke on a range of subjects, including the Club Membership scheme, deemed a success by Chief Executive Mark Devlin, transfers in and out, the dug outs and how to create an atmosphere at the proposed new stadium at Lionel Road South.

Mark Warburton told the audience he liked to keep players forward when defending corners because he wanted Brentford to “score more goals than the opposition”.

He also explained why Farid El Alagui and Shaleum Logan left on loan in the past few weeks.

Speaking about the race for promotion, Mark Warburton said: “It will take a very large number of points to win promotion.

“Teams with 92 points may not go up.

“It will be 95 or 96 to go up this year.”

David Weir added: “Our approach is that we focus on ourselves and what we are doing.

“We set targets for the players and incentivise them to do well.

“We don’t want to rely on other teams falling away.

“Wolverhampton Wanderers have sold players and bought some.

“Leyton Orient brought in four or five on loan, they are having a go.

“We are happy with what we have got.

“We are bringing in players and looking to the future, we are not gambling.”

Cliff Crown answered a question on the future of Mark Warburton, appointed Brentford Manager in December.

The Bees are unbeaten in ten games, winning eight, since he took charge.

Cliff said: “Mark has not managed a Football Club before; he was here as First Team coach a few years ago.

“This is new territory for him.

“We know what a great guy he is as he has been here as Sporting Director for two and a half years.

“We have heard tonight how much of our success is down to Mark.

“I probably did not expect us to be unbeaten in ten games.

“He is doing a brilliant job and he has a brilliant team around him.

“Believe me; we won’t be letting him go.”

Frank McParland spoke about the Club’s new Category Two Football Academy.

The Bees are one of only five clubs outside the top two divisions to reach that standard.

Frank spoke about the finding and recruiting of player, as well as their futures.

“We do not have a lot of scouts,” he said. “But we have good intelligence.

“Our young players are as good as anywhere I have been.

“Young players have to love coming here.

“We talk to our Under-16 and Under-17 squads and tell them they want to be part of the first Brentford side to play at Lionel Road.

“This is an exciting place to be.

"The noise our supporters make is incredible.

“We give players an exciting games programme and talk about the route to the First Team.

“Mark plays young players, there is a route here.”

There was also an update on the planning process for a new stadium at Lionel Road from Brian Burgess, who is working on the project.

Hounslow Council approved the scheme in December.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is currently deciding whether to call in the project.

Brian said: “It is unlikely we will get a decision from Boris next Tuesday as previously thought.

“We have had a query from Greater London Authority officers which we are answering.

“In the normal scheme of things, Boris would give an answer within 14 days of receiving the papers from Hounslow Council.

“Once we get that approval it goes to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

“He doesn’t have a fixed timescale, it should be three weeks but he can extend it at his own decision.

“It could be another month before we get a decision from both parties.

“I urge all supporters to sign our petition.

“It is addressed to Boris and Eric so only needs to be signed once.”

Cliff Crown added: “We want to avoid delays.

“A delay on the stadium building will have an impact; it is hard to say what that would be at the moment.

“We may have to delay the opening of the stadium until August 2017 from the current plan of August 2016.

“A new stadium would generate more income and make the Club more self-sustainable.

“We really don’t want to go down the route of a delay.

“We can’t achieve financial viability unless we are in Lionel Road.

“It is impossible to do it here.”

Speaking about plans for the stadium, Mark Devlin added: “We know our fans do not want to see a concrete bowl.

“We spoke to Cardiff City about their stadium move; they were very helpful to us when we went down there.

“We will look at where groups of fans can be in the new stadium.

“We will also ask for supporters’ input.”

More information on the Lionel Road petition can be seen here.

The best bits from this evening will be available on Bees Player over the next few days.