Dean Smith was delighted that the work put in over the international break paid off as Brentford ended a run of four straight defeats with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. After a cagey opening 45 minutes Lasse Vibe put The Bees ahead just after the break, making the most of some hesitancy in the Forest defence to poke home. Nico Yennaris added a second, his first for the club, from close range before Sergi Canos wrapped up the points with a neat first time finish four minutes from time.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Dean couldn’t hide his pleasure at the three points. “We have used the international break well to become a more organised team and become harder to play against,” said Dean. “We quietened them down. Nottingham Forest’s supporters expect them to beat Brentford and if you quieten them down then you have got a chance. Nico Yennaris was magnificent in midfield and deserved his goal. When the second goal went in it was game over, I couldn’t see them coming back, and I was really pleased for the players.
“There is pleasure there because it was a great victory. To win by three goals to nil is a great achievement for the players. We talked about being hard to beat and being organised and the win comes on the back of that. We restricted them to very few chances, we looked very organised behind the ball, and we kept it in their half for long periods. When they did have the ball they couldn’t find any gaps through us. Leandro Rodriguez felt his hamstring and had to come off: Lasse Vibe came on and as brilliant. He capitalised on some indecision from their defender and goalkeeper and that gave us a lot of confidence. We had a free-kick where they broke on us four vs one and Alan Judge has run 80 yards to rob their player and that shows the work rate and team spirit amongst the lads.”
Brentford scored three this afternoon for the first time since January, having failed to find the net in their last two matches. Dean felt that the big difference between this afternoon and their recent performances was their clinical edge and in particular he praised the work of Lasse Vibe who scored one and set one up.
“The key today was capitalising on our opportunities,” said Dean. “We had a few chances in the first-half when Sam Saunders put the ball over and when Maxime Colin forced the goalkeeper into a save. Second-half our chances were more clear cut and we capitalised on those opportunities. It was a good finish from Sergi Canos and it was nice to score from a corner as well.
“Lasse Vibe looks refreshed and he has come back from international duty with a lot of confidence. It was a big boost for him and we are pleased for him. We are proud of all our players who go on international duty. When Leandro went off he took his opportunity today and got a poachers goal. He made some really intelligent runs today and we are pleased for him.”
Leandro Rodriguez and Maxime Colin were both withdrawn through injury on a physical afternoon by the River Trent. With the visit of Bolton Wanderers just 72 hours away, Dean said it will be a quick turnaround to get the team ready for the visit of The Trotters to Griffin Park.
“We have got a few walking wounded now and we will have to assess where we are for Tuesday,” said Dean. “There is a lot of ice being used in the dressing room at the moment. Maxime Colin has got ice on his knee, David Button has ice on his knee and Alan Judge has got ice on his feet. It was a hot day today, one that we haven’t had for a while, and the players are a bit fatigued but we have to get things right and go and get a win in front of our home fans on Saturday.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Dean below