Head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen has revealed his group of first team lieutenants keeping him in touch with the Brentford rank and file.

Jake Bidwell is the man in possession of the captain’s armband at present, but he is one of four senior players charged with leading the squad.

Defenders Harlee Dean, Andreas Bjelland and Alan McCormack are also part of the inner sanctum of “captains” Dijkhuizen turns to to discuss training, performance and tactics.

And Dijkhuizen insists that those discussions are very much two-way conversations.

“You always have a couple of captains. Jake is the first, Harlee the second, Andreas and then Alan McCormack,” he said.

PICTURE GALLERY: Brentford v Reading + Dijkhuizan recruits to bring in much-needed spirit

“It is important to sit down with them and give feedback from us and also to receive it from them.

“I like to be in contact with the players, especially now when we are working on a lot of new things. It is good to have that feedback from players.

“It is good to get players involved and responsible in the game, you get better results than if it is my way or no way.

“I’ve seen a lot of new things and it is better to stay in contact with the players. It is a vital part of my leadership style.”