League One manager of the month Andy Scott believes Premier League footballers have it easy compared to his Brentford battlers.

The Bees have played 23 games already this season thanks to impressive runs in the Carling Cup and Johnstone Paint Trophy.

Success in next week’s FA Cup replay at Aldershot Town means Scott’s men could have played 28 by the end of November.

The Griffin Park chief says the workload means his players should be cut a little slack when compared to the pampered stars of the top flight.

But he insists he has the squad to still compete in three competitions.

“The crowd have got to understand that it is hard work to play that many games,” he said.

“Some Premier League players moan they play too many games, but some will have played 12 games maximum.

“We aspire to be at that level and to get there we have to put the work in. But when you are playing that often there are going to be dips in form.

“We are starting to reap the benefit from the fitness work we did in pre-season is starting to and the players are still pretty fresh.

“But we need everyone fit and ready to cope with the games we have got to come and I’m more than comfortable with the squad we have.”

Defender Craig Woodman, who missed his shoot-out spot-kick in Tuesday’s triumph at Swindon Town, has played every minute this season making him the busiest professional footballer in the country.

And Scott reckons the recent run of good form will only help manage the workload of his squad.

“When you are winning games players just want to keep playing,” he added.

“I want to play our strongest team but we are going to have to make sure everyone is rested.”