During Butcher's best run in charge, Glenn Poole has the last laugh at Rochdale. Photo: Gary Paul
Finishing 14th in League Two may not be some people's idea of a memorable season, but ask Brentford midfielder Glenn Poole and he will tell you a different story.
The 27-year-old finished the campaign as the Bees' leading scorer and with more first team appearances under his belt than any other player - all in his first full season as a pro.
Brentford recovered from a flirtation with relegation under Terry Butcher, to raise hopes of an unlikely play-off push with Andy Scott in charge.
Poole struck 14 league goals after signing from Grays Athletic - following a brief stint on loan at Rochdale - and, looking back on the season, he claimed Scott was the breath of fresh air the club needed.
"There was never really a low point for me as I was just enjoying playing league football but, when I joined the club, I have never known negativity like it," he said. "Andy was the best thing that could have happened to us because we were heading for relegation otherwise.
"Before he came in, the crowd were on our backs and we were playing within ourselves.
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"Andy taking over gave us something to prove, which helped turn things around."
The catalyst for Butcher's departure was a miserable 7-0 defeat at Peterborough United, coming in a run of five games without a goal.
Scott's appointment - and a subsequent January transfer-window cull - inspired a run of eight wins in 12 games either side of Christmas and New Year, including an impressive 2-1 home win over Chesterfield.
"I have watched that game a couple of times on DVD and it was a result that made everyone sit up and take notice," added Poole, who scored the winner that day.
"It proved we could play total football and it is a memory we must take into next season, but we also have to start grinding out results."
Play-off hopes were dashed after a 2-0 home defeat to Rochdale in March, but Poole wants the Bees to concentrate on the positives.
"We could have made the play-offs, but I think they were always going to be a step too far this season," he said before jetting off to Marbella for an end-of-season break.
"When you are on a winning run like we were, it is the best feeling in the world, so it was a frustating end to the season.
"But we have got to take that into next year. I proved a few people right and few doubters wrong, and will be working hard to go one step further."
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