Manager Andy Scott believes his out-of-sorts Brentford side are reaping the seeds of what was sewn under former boss Terry Butcher.

The Bees suffered a fourth defeat in 11 days on Tuesday night, when defensive gaffs saw them slump to a 4-1 defeat at home to League Two strugglers Bury.

Seven players are carrying knocks, with four needing surgery before the end of the season, stretching resources to the limit at Griffin Park.

Skipper Matt Heywood looks set to be ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken rib and suspected punctured lunge, while Kevin O'Connor is still short of fitness.

And Scott is in no doubt about why his young team have gone from play-off hopefuls to mid-table also-rans in a fortnight.

"I have never felt - even at the beginning of the season - that we were strong enough as a squad," he said.

"My views were made clear to the chief executive at the end of the August transfer window - that at best we were a mid-table side. That looks like where we will end up.

"We have flirted with the bottom regions of the league for a reason - because we are not strong enough.

"I have got 12 people under contract next season. I want 20 capable of playing next season.

"Finances will dictate what areas get strenghthened first, but I am confident I can get in the players I want for the money we are offering."

Scott culled 10 players in the January transfer window and, despite bringing in a host of new faces - mainly on loan, is now short of options to patch up a leaky defence for Saturday's clash with Macclesfield Town.

Only 22-year-old Osei Sankofa - on loan from Charlton Athletic - has come in to bolster the back four since left-back Ryan Dickson made his switch from Plymouth Argyle permanent.

But Scott believes the tough decisions made since he took the reigns will give more money to play with next season.

"We have made a collective decision as a football club in January that things were not going right and those 10 new players ate into the budget," he added.

"That was a decision I was very happy to have made because it gives me a chance to get the players I want in the summer.

"What I am going to do is give the lads here a chance to turn things around.

"I will be having a severe think about what I will do on Saturday because people need to know those types of performances won't keep them in the side.

"They have shown what they are capable of, and I want to see who fancies it."