Following his release from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the 2024/25 season, Brentford B defender Maxwell McKnight said he had to be “mentally strong” as he navigated his next move.
A member of Spurs Academy from under-12s through to under-21s, McKnight knew his next step would be “different”, but it is one he has thrived in.
After a short trial period with Sam Saunders’ B team in the summer, McKnight signed a one-year deal as a free agent in September, with a club option of a further 12 months.
“I think wherever you are in life, if you get told you’re no longer needed, especially in the football industry, you’ve always got to find a way and push through it,” explained McKnight.
“You’ve always got to be mentally strong. At some point in time, you’re always going to move on, so I think when I found my feet at Brentford, it boost my confidence.
“Brentford’s different in a very good way, it's a big family club which is good, makes you feel welcome, pushes you as well, tests you and I’ve really enjoyed it since I’ve been here.
“Obviously spending a long time at Tottenham and then moving onto a new club, it’s going to be different, but the lads and the coaches have made me feel welcome and I’ve really enjoyed training and learning new things.”
His confidence boost has aided strong performance on the pitch after his return from an injury during pre-season.
McKnight has featured 12 times across the Professional Development League and Premier League Cup, helping the young Bees sit seventh in the PDL table at Christmas and qualify for the knockout stages of the PL Cup.
“I think since I’ve been at Brentford, the lads have made me feel welcome, all the coaching staff as well, it’s been really good,” said McKnight.
“The energy in the club and the chemistry throughout all the lads, it’s like one big family really, so it’s really good.
“I think off the pitch we bring that energy and the chemistry and then on the pitch we bring it as a team as well.”
Playing predominantly at right-back, McKnight has enjoyed competition for spots in the starting line-up.
The 21-year-old said this has aided his development though.
“There’s good competition throughout the group and it pushes everyone, even the coaching staff,” he said.
“I think it’s really good for your development, obviously if you’ve got multiple people in your position it’s going to bring the best out of you and others, you’re always going to be fighting for your shirt, you’re never too comfortable.”
Away from the club, gaming, journaling and reading help McKnight keep his mind off of the game.
ARC Raiders, FIFA, NBA 2K and Call of Duty are the defender’s games of choice, helping provide another element of competition between McKnight and his Brentford team-mates.
“I like my games, sometimes it keeps my mind off things. I like watching other sports, golf and basketball,” said McKnight.
“Every now and then I have my own journal where I like to reflect and write things about myself, what I can do better, what I can improve on, what I’m aiming for in the future.
“Sometimes I read books as well, which keep me ticking over as well and keep my mind off of things.”
With the second half of the 2025/26 season to come, McKnight has clear ambitions.
“I think as a team we want to finish top of the league, get as many points as we can, get as many goals as we can,” he said.
“Individually I feel like I’ve just got to keep pushing and keep putting in consistent performances, one to make it hard for the coaching staff to leave me out of the team and two, to showcase what I’m capable of and push towards the first team or improving my career more at Brentford.”
McKnight and the Bees return to PDL action on 13 January as they face west London rivals QPR at The Powerday Stadium.