Brentford are on the right path according to Dean Smith despite being on a run which the Head Coach describes as the worst of his career so far. The Bees head to The City Ground on Saturday, to take on Nottingham Forest, having lost their last four Sky Bet Championship matches, sitting six points above the relegation zone. Speaking to Bees Player ahead of the match Dean admitted the recent run of results had been far from ideal but said he still felt his side will turn it around soon.
“The last month or two has turned into a bit of a nightmare results wise,” said Dean. “Some of the performances have deserved more but we haven’t got the results. That is what we become accountable for and we need to turn that round. It is a nine-game, six week season now so we just want to get as many wins as we can to make sure that we are in the Sky Bet Championship next season. This is probably the worst run of results that I have had as a Head Coach. I can understand the frustrations of football fans at the end of games that you haven’t won which you were expected to win and probably deserved to win.
“I am a football fan myself and I would probably be booing at times if it was my team. I fully understand the reaction at the end of the Blackburn Rovers game because we fully deserved to win that game but we didn’t. Walking home after the game a supporter came up to me at the bus stop and said that we are all behind you and keep going. Bumping into another Brentford fan on Windsor High Street who is behind you is the thing that makes you realise that you are on the right path and not too far away from turning it around.”
Brentford head to Nottingham Forest on Saturday with injury clouds hanging over two midfielders following the international break. John Swift picked up a deep cut on international duty with England’s Under-21s while Josh McEachran suffered a foot injury in training. While Dean doesn’t want to lose two key players he said it will give others a chance to step up.
“Josh McEachran has been to see a specialist,” said Dean. “We fear that it may be a re-fracture of the second metatarsal. If so he may have to have surgery. We are just waiting to find out but if it is surgery then he will be out for the season. John Swift is a doubt: it was a poor tackle down the back of the Achilles. He needed five stitches there and he is very angry at the moment. Other players will come into contention now. It gives me a chance to play other people and gives them a chance to show what they are about.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Dean below