Brentford B in 2025: Progress and development under Sam Saunders | OneFootball

Brentford B head coach Sam Saunders has reflected on a year of growth, change and progress for both himself and his squad, as his side continues to compete strongly across competitions this season.

The B team currently sit in a strong position in the Professional Development League and have progressed to the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup, with Saunders praising Brentford's staff and players for the standards they have set across the campaign so far.

After 12 matches in the PDL, the Bees are second, having recorded seven wins, two draws and three defeats, collecting 23 points. Leaders Bournemouth have 24 points, having played one more match.

The team has also shown strength both in attack and defence, scoring 29 goals and conceding just 13, the joint-lowest total across both the north and south divisions.

In the Premier League Cup, the B team finished second in their group to secure progression to the knockout stages, underlining what has been an encouraging start to the season.

For Saunders, who stepped into the head coach role at the beginning of the season, the transition has felt natural and rewarding.

“I get so much pride and satisfaction from seeing the boys improve technically, tactically and mentally,” he said. “This job does a lot to help young men at the beginning of their journeys.”

Having worked closely with Neil MacFarlane before taking on the head coach position, Saunders believes the experiences of recent seasons have prepared him well.

“I felt with Neil working with Scotland U19s last year and taking some games on my own it felt seamless, the transition from the experiences I gained in my six years as assistant,” he said.

“The staff and the boys have also helped, making that transition easy.”

That sense of connection with staff and players has been key to Brentford B’s positive performances this season.

“I am proud with where we sit currently,” Saunders continued. “Our level of performances haven’t always been rewarded but that says a lot, as we are doing well across the board. Everyone is working hard.”

He is also conscious of the standards required every day in an elite environment.

“There is a lot of stuff that is similar from when I was a player and now I am a head coach,” he explained.

“We just have to maintain the standards, the consistency in that as well. As a player sometimes you can have a mindset of being selfish and getting yourself ready, but I want to see the boys continuously look after each other.”

Coaching, he admits, has changed his perspective on football and on his own career.

“I think becoming a coach has made me see some things in hindsight,” he said.

“I wish I started earlier with the coaching as you can see so many things that managers tried to install or say. In life it is all through experiences that you grow.

"None of us are perfect but now it’s time for me to put those nuggets and experiences that I have gained and pass it on to the next generation.”

“I always try to be as honest as possible with my feedback,” he continued.

“Whether they are playing or not playing they are human beings, we have to talk to them with care. Yes, players don’t like fluff and they know what it’s like to be injured and I understand those emotions, so we have to find the right balance.”

Performance, he emphasises, comes from clarity, consistency and trust in the process.

“If you work consistently hard and have a good structure and you are deliberate in the message that you are trying to give to the players, I think the results will follow over a period of time,” he explained.

“The players know that sometimes you cannot prepare for the other team scoring a great goal or a mistake out of the blue or a refereeing decision, so you have to stick to your principles. Particularly at this age you have to start getting ready for different scenarios.”

Saunders reveals that his coaching style is heavily shaped by his life away from football, particularly at home.

“For me, coaching often mirrors parenting,” he said.

“When I am coaching I am trying to do similar things that I do with my kids and how I guide them. Ultimately the players will make their own decisions.

"It is important that we provide them with the tools that enable them to make those right decisions in key moments.”

That sense of family connection runs through much of his life, and he is quick to credit the people closest to him for their support.

“My wife, my kids, my parents, my friends, they are all very supportive and they try and come to as many games as possible,” he said.

“My kids are my number one fans and they recognise that I don’t play anymore, now they say ‘I shout on the sides,’ which is always funny to hear.”

Despite the warmth in those reflections, Saunders is honest about the realities of the job. The role demands intensity, time, and energy but it is clear how much he relishes it.

“It is very demanding and tiring but I love it,” Saunders admitted.

“There are a number of mechanisms that really help me to keep going and having a great team to work with from players to staff is always a pleasure and a privilege.”

As he reflects on the past year, Saunders feels it has been a period of learning not just for his players, but for himself as well.

“What I have learnt about myself in 2025 is sometimes you have to take a step back and you cannot attack everything head on,” he said.

“I have also learnt how to tell people the truth. When you are telling people the truth it is coming from a genuine place. You want to make sure that you are focusing on the process, so I want to make sure that my players are okay.”

His thoughts soon shift from reflection to what lies ahead. The second half of the campaign brings fresh challenges and new opportunities, and he is eager to see how his group responds.

“What excites me for 2026 is to see that continued growth,” he said.

“I want to keep building relationships and building trust with the players. I speak a lot to the players about enjoying this part of their career because it will go so quickly, not wasting a minute.

"The first part of the season has been and gone in a flash and the second will do the same."

His message to the group remains simple and consistent, enjoy it, compete, and keep pushing standards.

“I just want them to enjoy the process, challenge for silverware and strive to be the best they can be,” Saunders concluded. “We want to be competitive and push in all the competitions that we are in.”