Sam Saunders wants to extend his spell at Brentford beyond next season after making his mark under his new boss.
 

The 30-year-old scored four goals in his past four games – including one in the 3-1 New Year’s Day win at Peterborough United – to bag the December League One player of the month award.
 

Saunders, who signed a two-year deal last summer after heart-to-heart talks with Bees owner Matthew Benham and then-sporting director Mark Warburton.
 

And now, having shaken off the super sub label he acquired under ex-boss Uwe Rosler, he wants more.
 

“It has been a nice turnaround going from not playing as much as I’d have liked, to being right back in the mix,” he said.

“I didn’t want to be known as a super sub and I feel I’ve  got that monkey off my back.

“I spoke to Matthew and Mark in the summer and told them I did not want to sign for just another year. The club has an exciting future and I want to be part of it.
 

“I love living in west London, I’m enjoying my football and it is nice to come to work with a smile on my face.”
 

Rookie boss Warburton, whose side entertain Port Vale on Saturday, collected the manager of the month award having secured four wins from four league games last month.
 

But Saunders believes stiffer tests of his management credentials are to come.
 

“Mark has come in and done a fantastic job,” he added.
 

“He has not changed an awful lot,  but we are more attacking and instead of sitting on a 1-0 lead we are pushing on for more goals.
 

“When things are going well it is easy, it is when results go against you that things get a bit more difficult.”