MIDDLESBROUGH new boy Adam Forshaw has warned his team-mates to underestimate Brentford at their peril as they prepare for this afternoon’s eagerly-awaited promotion battle at Griffin Park.

Forshaw completed a £2m move from Wigan Athletic earlier this week, but prior to playing for the Latics, the midfielder spent two seasons on Brentford’s books.

He was the London club’s Player of the Year as they won promotion from League One last season, and still has a number of close friends among his former club’s players and backroom staff.

Brentford go into today’s game just a point below Boro in the Championship table, and while most neutrals might be expecting the Bees to drop out of the promotion picture, Forshaw is not surprised to see his old club on the verge of the top-flight.

“I think everyone is looking at it and thinking they've got to fall off eventually, but it hasn't happened so far,” said the midfielder, who will find himself on the substitutes’ bench this afternoon as Aitor Karanka sticks with Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton as his first-choice central midfield pairing.

“They've got a great set of players, players that maybe aren't as big names as other players in the Championship but they are really good footballers and they've got a massive togetherness in the dressing room – well they did when I was there.

“The fact that they did so well last year, maybe momentum has carried them through this year. It's about installing belief in players, and when players are confident there are no limits most of the time.”

Forshaw has moved to a club where confidence levels are high, with Boro currently sitting just a point off the top of the Championship and looking forward to an FA Cup fifth-round game with Arsenal following last weekend’s sensational success at Manchester City.

The 23-year-old lined up against Boro as they drew 1-1 at Wigan in November – a game that marked Malky Mackay’s first game in charge of the Lancashire club – and was impressed with his opponents’ slick passing style.

“They pass the ball a lot, and they were a proper footballing side when we played them at Wigan,” he said. “They got a lot of fans in the ground that day as well which was nice because we didn’t have too many at times with the season not going so great.

“It was 1-1 and we played quite well on the day. But Middlesbrough were a really good side and they tried to do the right things and pass the ball. It excited me when I heard they wanted me.

“Everyone you speak to, and I’m guessing most clubs in this league would be included in that, would all say that Middlesbrough are one of the best sides in this league without a doubt. They’ve got some of the best players and a very good manager. They’ve got a good fan base, and everything is set up for them to go to that next level.”

Forshaw is desperate to be part of that progress, having started his career on Everton’s books and made his senior debut for the club in a Europa League tie with BATE Borisov.

He did not make a Premier League appearance for the Toffees, but is hoping to put that right with Boro after suffering a frustrating six months with Wigan.

Last summer’s move to the DW Stadium was supposed to help Forshaw push towards the Premier League, but instead he moved to Teesside with the Latics struggling in 23rd position.

“My career had been going quite smoothly for the last few years, but it was a difficult time at Wigan,” he said. “Things had been on a nice upward curve since I left Everton, but it’s been a turbulent six months. Hopefully, I can put that behind me now.

“The chance to play in the Premier League is a really big draw. I do feel that I have something to give to this team, and hopefully if we do get to the Premier League, long may that continue.”

First, Forshaw will have to dislodge either Leadbitter or Clayton from Karanka’s preferred starting line-up, and while he accepts he cannot expect to walk straight into the first team, the Liverpudlian is confident of providing some intense competition.

“It only brings the best out of you if you’ve got good competition for places,” he said. “If you’re not playing well one week, you know you can be replaced the next.

“It keeps everyone on their toes, and makes everyone train well and prepare right, and really do what they need to do on a Saturday, when you know you’ve got someone behind you ready to step in if you’re not at your max.”