CHERRIES boss Jonathan Woodgate believes previous play-off heartache may still “fester” in the minds of Brentford’s players ahead of a “monster” semi-final showdown.

The Dorset club head into their home first leg against the in-form Bees after finishing 10 points and three places below their opponents in the Championship table.

Yet the west London club travel to Vitality Stadium on Monday holding a horrendous play-off record, having failed to gain promotion on each of the nine prior occasions they have qualified.

That includes an extra-time loss to Fulham in last season’s final.

Woodgate feels Thomas Frank’s Bees will have been left with psychological scars from that painful setback - but also acknowledges the disappointment could fuel their motivation for a return trip to Wembley.

“I wouldn’t say the ones previous because a lot of the players weren’t there for that but last season will have, definitely,” Woodgate replied when asked if Brentford’s past failures would have had a lasting mental impact.

“For me, they were one of the outstanding teams in the division. Last season they were exceptional and failed at the final hurdle.

“They’ve been to that final and lost and know what it feels like.

“It can work both ways. They know that feeling when they’ve been beaten in the final, they know how hard it’s been for them. That can fester, that can stay in the minds of players.

“Both teams are under pressure. We know it’s a pressurised situation. We know it’s an absolute monster game and the players know that.

“They are the favourites to go up, there’s no question about that.”