Tom Field thinks the Youth Team’s character this season has been one of the main reasons behind their table-topping start to the campaign.

Jon De Souza’s side go into tomorrow’s derby with Crystal Palace three points clear of their nearest rival at the top of the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South.

The Bees are unbeaten in their last four league games and have only lost twice all season.

Speaking to Bees Player ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Palace Tom said that he and the team are looking to put down a marker when they play the Premier League side.

Despite topping the league table Tom doesn’t feel that The Bees have played their best yet this season, and that is something they are looking to put right with Palace visit Jersey Road.

“It has been a good season so far,” said Tom.

“We haven’t played our best at times but we have ground out results.

“That shows good character from the team but it is also a good thing that we know we can play better.

“We have good players, like James Ferry in the centre of the park coming back, and that will only strengthen our team.

“It is a good feeling to be top of the league but knowing you can play better.

“We are coming up against teams like Crystal Palace who are good teams.

“They are a Premier League team but we have to put our passing influence on the game to show that not only are we a winning team but a good winning team.

“Crystal Palace are very athletic so we need to pass it around the back and try and tire them out because they will press us.

“If we can do that then their centre-midfielders will start moving around.

“We have good centre-midfielders who can open out and play to get our full-backs on to get crosses in.

“We can then do some magic in the final third as we have good finishers and good creative players.”

Brentford’s game is the only fixture in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South tomorrow meaning Jon De Souza’s side can stretch their advantage at the top to six points with a win.

After tomorrow’s game The Bees host two of their nearest rivals Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town in consecutive weeks.

Despite these big games coming up Tom said that focus is just on tomorrow’s game with the South London side although he concedes that it would be a great feeling to top the league heading into the Christmas period.

Having experienced two tough seasons in the Under-18 Professional Development League Tom said that it is a nice change to be at the top end of the table this time round.

“We are just looking forward to the Palace game,” said Tom.

“We can’t look forward to the next two weeks if we haven’t conquered the week that is coming up.

“It would give us a great confidence boost getting through to Christmas unbeaten especially because of last year.

“If we can be around the top over Christmas that would be a really nice feeling.

“The first-years who have come in have brought great energy in training. You can see the difference in training and in games.

“Training can be really competitive and that is the way it goes.”

Also before Christmas Brentford’s future stars have a trip to Hull City in the FA Youth Cup Third Round to contend with.

Three years ago Brentford beat Hull City 2-1 in the corresponding round thanks to goals from Myles Hippolyte and Charlie Adams.

Tom is looking forward to facing the Premier League side as it gives Brentford a chance to how good they really are.

“The league is one thing but if we can do well in the FA Youth Cup and impose ourselves our style on Category One teams, if we get past Hull City, then we will show teams how good we are,” said Tom.

“We have great coaches here who take care of us.

“We don’t have an excuse.

“There is no reason to be uncomfortable with an overnight stay: it is what you should enjoy doing.

“We are confident that we can put out a Premier League side.

“The fact that they are a Premier League side gives us that little extra to want to knock them out.”

Tom joined the club as an Under-16 back in 2012 and was part of the group that won the Milk Cup that same year.

He signed a two-year scholarship in 2013 and has gone on to make 27 appearances for the Youth Team in the U18 Professional Development League Two South.

Before the end of this year a decision will be made whether or not to offer Tom a Development Squad contract at Jersey Road.

Tom said that while that decision is in the back of his mind he is focussed on just doing what he can on the pitch.

The left-back said that there is a lot of competition within the squad for Development Squad contracts but feels it is important that competition doesn’t spill over into the dressing room environment.

“It is still a case of doing the job as an Under-18 and then you look to get your reward as an Under-21,” said Tom.

“That is how it is but everyone still has a little eye on the Development Squad as well.

“You do know that you might be fighting against someone for a contract but we are very close as a group.

“We show that fight in training but we don’t show it off the pitch which is beneficial.

“On the pitch you need to prove that you are better than the player in your position but off the pitch you have to show them respect.”