They say a change is as good as rest, but for Sam Saunders a new head coach at Brentford has given the midfielder a new lease of life.

The 32-year-old, until Smith took charge, had only made fleeting Championship appearances from the bench under Mark Warburton, Marinus Dijkhuizen and Lee Carsley.

He had appeared on his way out of Griffin Park last season when he was sent on loan to play 11 games at Wycombe Wanderers as they lost in the League Two play-off final.

But since the former Walsall manager took the helm last month he has made three starts and scored one goal - a stunning opener in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

He is the most senior member of the current squad and in his seventh season with the Bees after successive managers have given him the chance to extend his stay.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Goal scoring midfielder: Sam Saunders finds the net for Wycombe Wanderers against Exeter City last season

And goalkeeper David Button is no doubt as to how valuable the former Charlton Athletic man is to the dressing room.

“He’s a great lad and great in the dressing room," he said.

"With his experience and his talking, he’s fantastic to have around and you saw the quality on the pitch as well.

"He’s still got it and it was another great finish.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Happy days: Brentford's Sam Saunders celebrates winning promotion to the Championship on final day of the season

Saunders' journey to the Championship has been a long one, starting in 2004 when he spent a season at Carshalton Athletic and helped them avoid Conference South relegation.

The midfielder moved to Conference Premier Dagenham & Redbridge in 2005, where his 126 league appearances ended with them an established League Two outfit.

He helped the Bees to the League One play-offs under Uwe Rosler and then automatic promotion under Mark Warburton, which saw him finally reach the second tier of English football.

He scored two goals in a 4-2 defeat to Ipswich Town last season, but his solo effort against United this week, would probably count among his career highlights.

"It was a super goal. was really pleased for Sam," said Smith.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Old foes: Sam Saunders in Capital One Cup action for Brentford against former club Dagenham & Redbridge

"He has run 60 yards with the ball and ended it with a really good finish.

"It was something we've looked at on the video that we may be able to punish them with.

"We managed to do that and I was really pleased for Sam that he got that."

He added: "We had some really good opportunities in the final third, but our last pass or touch let us down.

"Had we taken those chances we could have killed the game off, but they have good players and they came back at us."