We’ll Bee flash with no cash vows Smith

DEAN SMITH insists his Brentford side will continue to mix it among the Championship elite – despite a ‘bottom-six budget’.

The Bees face Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon having enjoyed a decent start to their fifth successive campaign in the second tier.

Last weekend the west Londoners earned a point at promotion favourites Stoke to remain in the top six.

And boss Smith (right) puts the club’s relative success on a shoestring down to an ability to work the transfer market to their advantage.

The Griffin Park chief said: “All the lower leagues are tough in their own way but this one, with the size, history and stature of so many clubs, is tougher.

“The top six was our target before the season started – and that may surprise some.

“But while we have a bottom-six budget, we’ve been a top-10 club in this league for the last four seasons. We don’t compare with many financially but we have a creative way in terms of our recruitment and style of play that means we can compete against the likes of Villa and Forest.’’ Brentford move to a new

17,250-capacity stadium in

2019-20, underlining their ambitions and Smith said: “Hopefully, we’ll be a Premier League club by then.” Meanwhile, Wednesday come into the clash on the back of the news that the EFL has lifted the club’s transfer embargo.

But the reprieve may have come too late for boss Jos Luhukay, who is still searching for his first league win. The Dutchman can only sign loan players until August 31.

Club captain Tom Lees said: “I am not sure if it is a bit too late but it’s just a positive that the club isn’t getting punished any more.”

Brentford v Sheff Wed Today, 3pm