BEES IN BATTLE FOR TOP SIX, SAYS SMITH
WHILE Brentford fans saw three star players depart in the January transfer window, manager Dean Smith is optimistic they can still secure a play-off berth.
In every window, there are winners and losers, and the Griffin Park faithful will definitely feel their club is in the latter category.
While not signing any new faces, Brentford had James Tarkowski (Burnley), Jota (on loan to Eibar) and Toumani Diagouraga (Leeds) all leave for pastures new. But Smith is not poised to hit the panic button.
“The football club in general has come a long way in such a short space of time,” said Smith,“and time catches up a little bit. Maybe this is us having our breather at the moment.
“In the squad, though, we feel we have a chance of finishing in the top six.
“We tried to get a couple in. It wasn’t to be. I wasn’t frustrated and it’s one of those things.
“I’m excited by the players who are coming back.We’ll see how we go for the rest of the season.
“We know we can’t compete with regards to spending money, like others can.We try to get players who are hungry and can be developed.
“Keeping them is the hard thing.When we keep them together, we’ve a chance of being in the top six.”
There was some good news as the Bees were able to hold on to in-form Alan Judge.
And Smith is predicting big things from the 27-year-old midfielder, who is eager to make the Republic of Ireland squad for this summer’s Euros.
“The players respect him an awful lot,” Smith added. “He’s in a rich vein of form at the moment and one we wanted to keep.
“Alan is happy here as well. Playing in his favoured position and given the freedom he has, he can fight his way into Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad.”