Mark Warburton challenges Brentford squad after going top

Brentford boss Mark Warburton has urged his side to 'finish the job' in the new year after guaranteeing they will end 2013 on top of League One.

The Bees have won 11 of their last 12 league games to rise from mid-table to leaders of the division.

"It is a fantastic job done, but it is only half the job," he said.

"We have got a lot of work still to do. If we learn our lessons, recognise what we do well and where we have to improve we will be in good shape come May 4."

Brentford, beaten in the play-off final by Yeovil last season, were only 11th in the table following defeat by Stevenage on 12 October, their fourth in their opening 11 fixtures.

Since then, however, the Griffin Park outfit have taken 34 points from a possible 36 on offer and kept seven clean sheets in the process.

Even the departure of former boss Uwe Rosler to Wigan earlier this month has not halted their momentum, with Warburton becoming the first manager in Brentford's 124-year history to win his first four games in charge,

"It is very early days yet so we are not getting carried away with that," the 51-year-old told BBC London 94.9.

"We set ourselves a five-game target and we go into game five now [at Peterborough on New Year's Day] so we will see how we do there.

"The biggest challenge for all the clubs at this time of year is getting through the fifth game.

"It is a game every three days and you have to wrap your squad in cotton wool.

"It's getting the balance right between consistency of team selection and making sure everyone is fit enough to contribute."