Bees youngsters to step up after pre-deadline exits

Brentford plan to bring Theo Archibald and Chris Mepham into the first-team squad after selling Jota and Harlee Dean.

Jota and Dean joined Birmingham City ahead of the transfer deadline and the Bees did not look to sign replacements.[phone]


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Teenagers Archibald and Mepham have impressed during their time with the B team and the club believe they are ready to compete for first-team places.

Scotland Under-21 winger Archibald, who was signed from Celtic in May, made his first-team debut as a substitute in the recent defeat at Ipswich.

And Wales Under-20 defender Mepham has also made a senior appearance, coming on as a substitute against Eastleigh in the FA Cup in January.

Following Brentford’s sale of Maxime Colin, also to Birmingham, co-director of football Phil Giles told the club website that Brentford are keen to learn from past failures to provide a pathway to the first team for young players.

He said: “I look back at what happened with Alfie Mawson. We have to reflect that there was a failing there because we didn’t identify his talent and make a pathway to bring him through.

“If we hang on to players and don’t create a pathway, that will happen again. There’s plenty of players in our B team who have the potential to go on and play for us. We don’t want more Alfie Mawsons.”

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