Midfielder Saman Ghoddos says the winning mindset that has characterised every one of Brentford’s Premier League games comes straight from the training ground. The Iranian international was speaking to the written press after coming close to changing the game when he came on as a 72nd minute substitute against Chelsea. The Bees lost 1-0 but put Chelsea under extreme pressure at the end of the game, hit the woodwork twice and deserved at least a share of the spoils.

“Whoever we play against we want to win. We don't think this is a hard game to play and go for a draw – we really want to win every game,” said Saman. “That’s the crazy thing when I hear the coach, how he motivates and really believes in us and that gives us the energy to really win every game we're playing, regardless of who it’s against.”

Saman insisted he was incredibly proud of the performance, and added: “I think we performed well, especially in the second half when we pushed them and didn't let them out from the box. It shows what a great spirit we have that we are so disappointed after a game when we're playing against, in my opinion, the best team in the world right now. It shows that we want to be in the top fight against the best teams and win every game, so I'm very proud.”

But the 28-year-old, who has made 45 appearances in a Bees shirt, admits he is “not happy” with his performances since arriving in West London.

“I want to play well and fight for the team and that starts from the training of course. I just need to improve. Of course I'm not happy since I came here with how I've been performing, because I can do so much better,” he said. “The coaches know the potential I've been showing so in every training session I'm just trying to improve and be better. When I'm taking my chance and playing much better, only then I will press Thomas that I want to play more.”

The fierce competition to make the starting eleven is driving the 22-times capped midfielder: “I haven't played so much so every chance I get, I try to take it. This is the best league in the world and it shows in our team… it's so competitive, but I just try to show myself and be better and better every day.

“Before I went on, Thomas just told me where I should play. He doesn’t need to tell me anything more than that because in training he tells me so on game days it's just to do my best. But you definitely haven’t seen the best of me yet.”