New Bees striker Ben Strevens reckons he has seen enough of his new team mates to back Brentford to spring a few surprises when they make their League One return next month.

The 29-year-old former Dagenham & Redbridge frontman switched to Griffin Park from Victoria Road last month along with fellow Daggers Danny Foster and Sam Saunders.

Boss Andy Scott has ensured the trio are fully integrated into the squad by forcing the trio to room with, Alan Bennett, Ryan Dickson and Mark Phillips respectively on the squad’s six-day boot camp in Marbella.

Strevens featured for Dagenham in both clashes with Brentford last season and having spent the last two weeks getting to know his new colleagues, he believes they are in a good position to build on last season’s title triumph.

And with established Bees frontmen Nathan Elder and Charlie MacDonald still recovering from injury, he admits he would like to play a major part in getting the campaign off to a flying start.

“From what I have seen we have got a small, but high quality squad. Brentford were a tough team to play against last season and I expect us to be no different this time,” he said speaking from the balcony of his hotel room in Spain.

“We will be organised and if we can get off to a good start in the same way we did last year, then you only have to look at Peterborough United and MK Dons to see anything is possible.

“There is nothing to lose. If we can go out and play the way we know we can, I expect us to spring a few surprises next season.

“My first target is to impress the manager and the squad in the pre-season and get a place in the team.

“I have a good opportunity to do that and if I can get between 15 and 20 goals I think that will be a good start at this level.”

Ten years ago, Strevens was tasting relegation from the Football League with Barnet, while Leeds United, Southampton and Charlton Athletic were all in the Premier League.

A decade later the Rickmansworth-based former Crawley Town and St Albans City man has switched east London for west and he admits it is not necessarily the glamour names that whet his appetite.

“When I met Andy and saw the club there were a lot of similarities between here and the atmosphere at Dagenham,” he added.

“There were other people interested me, but Brentford was my top option. Everything I have seen so far, has justified my decision.

“There is a great team spirit, but it is a bit more professional here mainly because we are an establish league club and that makes a big difference.

“There are some big names to play this year, which is partly a testament to how far Brentford have come as a team, but for some strange reason I’m really looking forward to the Millwall game if I’m honest.”