Brentford's Jack is full of his own self-belief

New Brentford goalkeeper Jack Bonham has admitted the difficult finale to last season provided a steep learning curve for him – but he is determined to flourish with the Bees.

Bonham was thrust into his Watford debut on the final day of the Championship season and made two errors that cost the Hornets the result against Leeds United – and ultimately promotion.

The youngster arrived at Vicarage Road for the fixture as third choice keeper having been told he was about to be released from the club.

First choice Manuel Almunia was then injured in the warm-up, and deputy Jonathan Bond was then seriously injured after colliding with one of his defenders after 24 minutes, delaying the game by 20 minutes.

This meant academy graduate Bonham was Watford boss Gianfranco Zola’s only option.

In a rather cruel twist of fate, the 19-year-old was forced into his first taste of action at Griffin Park after a seventh-minute injury to first choice Bees keeper Simon Moore in the 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Millwall on Tuesday night.

Bonham said: “It happened on my debut at Watford and it happened again. I was due to come on at some stage but then it was sprung on me again as Simon went down.

“But I feel confident now. I’ve learned you have to go in with confidence and not let it faze you.

“It was a steep learning curve at Watford. But now I’ve had games where I’ve had to step in. At Watford I didn’t play much so I was nervous going into the Leeds game but here I felt fine.”

After Bonham’s horror show against Leeds, he will have been pleased to have come through the match against Millwall with a clean sheet and, while he knows Moore is first choice, he hopes he can push him for some game-time.

New man: Alan McCormack in the red and white of Brentford    SP77855

He said: “Simon did great last year, and he’s a great keeper, but I definitely feel like I can push him and hopefully, if I’m doing well, I’ll get a chance.

“Obviously, something could happen like on Tuesday night and I have to be ready.”

Moore left Griffin Park on Tuesday wearing a protective boot after falling awkwardly on his ankle.

He has since undergone tests to assess the damage, meaning Bonham is likely to take part in Saturday’s friendly with Glasgow giants Celtic.