Bees boss Andy Scott has vowed to make sweeping changes during the January transfer window, despite watching his side land an FA Cup third round berth at the weekend.

Former Tonbridge Angles defender Leon Legge opened his Brentford account with a towering header to give his side a 1-0 triumph over Walsall on Saturday and the chance to face Doncaster Rovers in the next round.

The victory masks the fact Scott’s side have only claimed two wins from their last 15 league games and the former Leyton Orient youth team boss believes some of his mis-firing squad are living on borrowed time.

He showed a ruthless streak in clearing out a host of players when he first took over the job from Terry Butcher in 2007 and admits he is not afraid to repeat the trick.

“The lads have got five weeks to show me that they want to be here and deserve to be here,” he said.

“We’re not where we want to be in the league. We have to accept that I’ve made mistakes in recruiting players and some players who have come in have not performed to the level that I - and they - hoped they would.

“There will be changes in January. I did it when I took over and made harsh decisions on some players, but I did it with a reason and I know exactly how we need to play now.

“The players we need to improve in this league, we need to get into the football club. If people need to leave to do that then they will.”

Legge had been earmarked as one of those heading for the exit door last week when Scott revealed his name had been circulated to other clubs in the hopes of landing the 24-year-old a loan move.

But after netting the winner and making a fine last-ditch tackle to deny the Saddlers an equaliser, his manager insists he still has a future at the club.

“He is unbelievable in the air and he is going to get better as he times his leaps better and gets more dynamic. When he heads it the ball knows it has been headed,” he added.

“To come from Tonbridge is a big step up and he is desperate to do well. Everyone is scared of him when he goes in for a tackle and when he goes up for a header it is no holds barred.

“We watched the video of last week’s game and the set pieces and we just felt Leon would be made for the game and that turned out to be the case.

“We had several clubs interested in taking him on loan, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and give someone a chance.”