Brentford fans, concerned that their relegated club had a thread-bare squad of only 17 with no proven goal-scorers, were relieved this week when manager Terry Butcher snapped up strikers Lee Thorpe and Alan Connell from Torquay United and Hereford United respectively and Walsall utility man Craig Pead.

Suddenly, with just five weeks to go before the Bees start life in League Two, they have brought in the experience and goal power they lacked. Thorpe has played 324 league games in which he has scored 88 goals, Connell has made 73 starts and 67 substitute appearances and Pead has played 72 league games for Walsall after previously making 42 appearances for Coventry City.

The new trio have joined Brentford on two-year contracts and are replacements for Lloyd Owusu, Jo Kuffour and possibly former skipper Kevin O'Conner, who could follow Andy Frampton out of Griffin Park if the Bees receive a suitable offer for him.

Wolverhampton-born Thorpe, 31, has been at Blackpool, Leyton Orient, Grimsby, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Swansea, Lincoln City and Bangor City. His best spell was at Lincoln, where he scored 57 goals in 183 starts between 1997 and 2002.

Thorpe spent last season at Torquay, scoring eight league goals in 39 appearances for a struggling side that was relegated to the Conference.

Lee said: "I've been in the lower leagues all my career and know what to expect - it's very physical in League Two, and hopefully I can use my experience to help us bounce straight back up. I'm the oldest player at Brentford and can help the youngsters develop."

Hereford's top marksman Connell has previously had spells with Ipswich, Bournemouth and Torquay. The 24-year-old Enfield-born forward scored 10 goals for the Bulls last season in all competitions and his career goals tally is 28.

He was offered a new contact at Edgar Street, but turned it down in order to sign for The Bees. Connell said: "Brentford boss Terry Butcher and his assistant Andy Scott are passionate about their football; as am I. Having listened to them, I was very, very keen to come to Griffin Park.

"I had a good year at Hereford, but wanted to get back to London. I'm coming to Brentford to score as many goals as I can."

Pead was released by Walsall at the end of last season, having helped them to win the League Two title, playing 41 games for the Saddlers as they bounced straight back up following relegation and being selected for the PFA League Two Team of the Year.

The 25-year-old Pead, who plays at right-back and centre-midfield, had a loan spell at Notts County before signing for Walsall in March 2005.

He was tipped off that the Bees were interested in him by fellow Walsall defender Michael Dobson, a former Brentford favourite. Pead says: "I came down to Brentford last week and was really impressed. There's a good atmosphere and a good set of lads - I'm looking forward to working with them."

Butcher enthuses: "We will bring in more players to get the right mix of youth and experience. We have several youngsters who have already tasted first team football and want more."

Indeed, five of his 15 'experienced' players are youngsters - Charlie Ide, 19, Karleigh Osborne, 19, Darius Charlies, 19, John Mousinho, 21, and keeper Clark Masters, 20.

Goalkeeper Masters has yet to sign a new contract, but Butcher has already said former Hibs custodian Simon Brown will be his first choice.

It is understood that Masters is disappointed with the situation and Scott has been trying to placate him.

Scott insisted: "We have a year's option on Masters' current contract and have offered him a new, improved two-year deal. Although Brown is the more experienced keeper, Masters can challenge for the No. 1 shirt - it's up to him to prove that he deserves the place.

"He has still got a lot to learn, but he is very ambitious and I didn't expect him to be happy about being seen as the No. 2. We have another fine goalkeeping prospect in Seb Brown, who is a second year scholar."

Of the possibility that O'Conner, Paul Brooker or Matt Heywood could be off-loaded to cut costs, Scott said: "When Frampton and O'Conner signed new deals last season they were outside the current wage structure, which has been cut following our relegation to League Two. But O'Conner is still part of our squad as are Brooker and Heywood.

"Brooker was foolish to react when fans booed him off at the end of last season, but hopefully we can get something out of him that other managers couldn't."

Butcher believes that his three latest signings, together with his earlier three captures, can inspire Brentford to challenge for promotion. He said: "The new men are key pieces as we put a gigsaw together. Lee Thorpe is an aggressive, experienced striker who gives defences a lot to think about. Alan Connell learned his trade at my old club Ipswich and is another striker with a physical presence who can put the ball in the net. And Pead has done it before by playing a key role in Lincoln winning the League Two championship.

"John Mackie, my first signing from Leyton Orient, is a powerful centre-half who can dominate the dressing room - he is a natural leader and a winner. He has been a captain before and is captain now for us.

"Glenn Poole, who has come to us from non-league club Grays Athletic, operates on the left and can give us balance. He scores goals (20 for Grays in 64 starts) and is a good addition.

"Simon Brown is an experienced keeper who impressed me when he was playing for Hibs."

Butcher has moved house so that he is within easy reach of Brentford after living in Scotland for 17 of the past 21 years.

"It's a bit weird at first, but I shall be dedicating myself to bringing Brentford success," declared the former England captain and current TV pundit.