Boss Uwe Rosler has given Bees winger Harry Forrester until next week to decide his future, but I’m willing to bet this saga is going to drag.

The youngster was the talk of League One as Brentford reached the third round of the FA Cup and nearly knocked out European champions Chelsea last season.

But the truth is he rarely reached those heights in what remained of the campaign and was largely ineffectual in last month’s play-off final defeat to Swindon Town.

I do not doubt his ability and he will probably go on to have a successful career, be that at Brentford or elsewhere, but I have to say Sam Saunders – who recently committed his future to the club – is probably a more effective footballer on a consistent basis.

Contract wrangling and transfer tittle-tattle are par for the course at this time of year and you can awake to discover the Bees are in for X, Y or Z this summer.

But until I see the shirt and handshake picture, I’m not that interested and it is the same for the likes of Forrester as far as I’m concerned.

What I will say is that it is the nightmare scenario for any manager – at this level anyway – because you can never plan too far ahead.

Forrester is out of contract, so at least if he starts pre-season at Griffin Park it is highly likely he has penned a deal to stay.

But the same cannot be said for some of Brentford’s other stars.

With the transfer window closing at the end of August it remains their prerogative to see what offers are on the table, which clubs might be interested and how they have started the campaign.

I believe with one or two new faces the Bees have a strong chance of bettering last season and securing promotion, but a good start to the season is imperative.

Two or three wins in the first month and it would be difficult for a Championship club to tempt someone like Clayton Donaldson away from the club with the prospect of mid-table mediocrity.

Your Local Guardian: Donaldson

Needs a good start: Clayton Donaldson

If nothing else, last season delivered drama. Some massive highs and – in equal measure - some pitiful lows.

Who would not want to sample that again and actually achieve something in their playing career?

The challenge facing Rosler is selling those ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ to those players contemplating a future at or away from Griffin Park.

The submission of plans for a new stadium to Hounslow Council, is just as key in this whole melting pot. It shows tangible ambition.

And, hopefully, that - coupled with Rosler’s now proven track record - is enough to get those signatures on contracts.

Finally, three words on the ticketing issues surrounding the pre-season friendly with Scottish champions Celtic – sort it out.