Brentford’s track record of replacing strikers over the past eight years has been nothing short of remarkable, from Ollie Watkins succeeding Neal Maupay to Igor Thiago seamlessly stepping up in Yoane Wissa’s absence.
The Bees consistently unearth gems from lower leagues or from abroad, and after they’ve scored bags of goals, shift them on to bigger clubs for vast profit.
But they may not have to look far to find their next talisman.
Ethan Laidlaw has been in scintillating form for Brentford U21s recently, and his hat-trick against Fleetwood Town U21s on Tuesday evening marks nine goals in his last six league games.
While there’s a reluctance to heap too much pressure on the 21-year-old, his numbers in front of goal are hard to ignore and get excited about. And aside from the statistics, it’s his all-round performances that have particularly impressed B Team head coach Sam Saunders as his side marked their sixth league win in a row (seven in all competitions).
“He’s been unplayable in this run,” he tells the Hounslow Herald. “He’s been our best player, our most consistent player and our biggest goal threat. It’s a testament to the work ethic he’s showing on the training ground.”
Laidlaw, who joined the Bees academy in 2023 from Scottish side Hibernian, has had an unfortunate experience with injuries in west London. “He’s never really had a run without picking up little niggles and bits that just take him out of his stride,” Saunders explains.
But now fully fit, the Scot’s is reaping the rewards of regular game time.
“I just had an annoying little niggle with my shoulder that kept me out for a couple of months. After that, I’ve basically played ever since,” Laidlaw shares.
“That consistency of games has really helped fitness-wise, sharpness-wise and confidence-wise, so all in all it’s helped everything. I always knew I had the quality and the belief to score, especially at this level, but I just needed to find that consistency.”
“He looks like he’s trusting his body again, which is really good to see,” Saunders says.
Laidlaw played through the middle against Fleetwood, where he claimed the match ball, but is just as comfortable off the left flank.
But where does he prefer playing?
“Anywhere,” he responds. “If I play off the left, which I have in most games, I feel like I can score goals from there. It’s more of a 1v1 battle against my right-back. If I’m playing through the middle, it’s all about scoring goals and helping the team.”
First-team head coach Keith Andrews, who has a keen interest in the B Team, was watching on from the stands at the Gtech Community Stadium as the young Bees thumped Fleetwood 6-1.
Saunders says: “That was the team talk tonight: ‘go on, boys, go and showcase yourselves, show how good you are, and show the first-team manager exactly what you can do.’”
Laidlaw certainly showed Andrews what he’s about, but the youngster remains focused on what he can control. “I can only focus on what I’m doing, really. If I get picked and selected (for the first-team), it would be great, but I can’t really do much more than what I’m already doing.”
There have been opportunities for academy players in recent months, with Luka Bentt, Josh Stephenson and Ollie Shield all training with the first-team and featuring in matchday squads. Shield registered a couple of assists and grabbed a goal on Tuesday, while captain Stephenson was outstanding at centre-back up against a physical Fleetwood first-team striker.
“It’s a good opportunity for them to show Keith again what they can bring if called upon,” Saunders says.
And for the rest of the squad, seeing their peers getting those opportunities with the first-team offers hope and motivation that the pathway is indeed tangible.
The win put the B Team at the top of the Professional Development League (PDL), leapfrogging Sheffield United. If they win their final three games, they will be crowned champions for the second season in a row. No side has ever secured back-to-back PDL titles.