SMITH: NO ISSUE WITH JOTA EFFORT
BRENTFORD manager Dean Smith doesn’t believe there is any question over Jota’s commitment with a few days of the transfer window left, after the Spaniard cut a peripheral figure against Wolves.
The 26-year-old did come the closest to scoring out of anybody at Griffin Park, when he hit the post in the first half, but he was hardly involved otherwise at a time when other clubs are chasing his signature.
Jota reminded Brentford’s fans just what he was capable of when he fired in 12 goals in the second half of last season after returning from a loan spell at Eibar.
While the Spaniard – who is believed to be wanted by Middlesbrough – was quiet, this was a deserved point for the spirited Bees that lifted them off the bottom of the Championship, albeit still without a league win going into the international break.
Smith said: “Jota is totally committed, I have no doubts about that.
“He trained well on Thursday and Friday and he probably looked a little bit tired at times, but I can’t question his commitment at all.
“I’m looking forward to Thursday to knowing what sort of squad I’ve got left for the Aston Villa game.
“I said in the press conference on Thursday that there are people courting Jota – we’ve had two bids from two different teams but it’s not met the valuation of the football club.
“Until that is, then he remains a Brentford footballer.
“I thought that was probably a fair result, to be honest, against the best team that we’ve come across so far this season.”
Brentford began the match brightly, with Romain Sawyers stinging the palms of Wolves keeper John Ruddy with a rising effort from 25 yards in the tenth minute.
Ollie Watkins then shot wide of the far post before Wolves fashioned their first chance when Diogo Jota found the over-lapping Ruben Vinagre, whose shot from a narrow angle was kept out by Daniel Bentley.
The Brentford goalkeeper was then called into action again after Jota’s superb pass sent Leo Bonatini through on goal, with Bentley blocking the Brazilian’s fairly tame effort. The Bees then came within a whisker of taking the lead on 38 minutes when Brentford’s own version of Jota struck the foot of a post.
Neal Maupay then scuffed a golden chance for the hosts wide eight minutes into the second half after good work from Sawyers.
Vinagre stood up a cross for Ivan Cavaleiro, who headed into the side netting, before Bonatini’s backheel sent Jota through on goal with 16 minutes left, with Bentley doing well to deflect his effort wide.
It just wouldn’t go in for Wolves, who were left frustrated again in stoppage time when Andreas Bjelland somehow denied Nouha Dicko a simple finish.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We had clear, clear chances, situations of two v one, three v one and one very close situation where the goalie is there to do his job, he did well with good saves.
“But this momentum that you have, you have to take advantage of it because when you produce you must put it down. I’m not happy [because] we came here for the three points.
“I think we had moments of the game where we close to those three points, but that was a very good game of football with two teams trying to play a quality game.”