Boss Andy Scott reckons Brentford’s financial problems are not his concern, but has admitted getting things right on the pitch will be key to the Bees tackling its near £10million debt.

The club recently announced another annual loss over £500,000 to take the total debt at Griffin Park close to the eight figure mark, putting a dampener on high spirits at Braemar Road with the team top of the table.

Plans to move to a new stadium at Lionel Road in 2012 also look set to be delayed with the credit crunch taking its toll on the housing market - a key component in the finances behind the ambitious project.

Brentford moved to the summit of League Two with last week’s 1-1 draw at Accrington, a position further cemented - albeit only briefly - with Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Port vale.

And Scott insists it a place in the top three at the end of the season is all he and the squad is focused on.

“Every club loses money and it has been happening here for the last few years,” he said.

“We can only concern ourselves with what happens on the pitch. We can make a difference to the situation off the field if we are successful on it.

“Our side of the bargain is to get promotion. Hopefully, if we can do that other issues at the club will take care of themselves.

“It looks like there will be some good clubs in League One next season. We want to get up there to test ourselves. Bigger crowds and bigger clubs will help the finance side, but that is secondary to what we are trying to achieve.

“Promotion is all we are concerned with and finishing in the top three is the priority. We are not getting carried away with where we are, but it is nice to be there and long may it continue.”

The extension of striker Jordan Rhodes loan-deal from Ipswich Town for the next two months could prove to be the key signing for Scott this season, as will the return to full fitness of midfielder Gary Smith.

The 19-year-old front man has formed a partnership with Charlie MacDonald that has yielded 10 goals in the last seven games and breathed new life into the Bees promotion assault.

And the Griffin Park chief is looking forward to seeing Smith, who has been involved around the squad for the last two matches, provide the ammunition for the blossoming partnership.

Providing Ipswich keep producing performances that saw them beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 on Wednesday.

“I’d rather have had gary fit at the start off the season, but it is great to have people like him to come in and help kick us on,” he added.

“Jordan’s extension is a huge positive. Ipswich can see he is developing and it is good we are able to attract and keep on board players of his calibre.

“It is not out of the ordinary that extended loan deals have 24 hour call-back clauses, but if Ipswich keep getting results like they did against Forest, hopefully there will be no need for him to leave.”