Dean must sign contract to get captaincy back
Brentford boss Dean Smith says Harlee Dean will not be given back the captaincy while his future at the club remains in doubt.
Having been suspended for Saturday’s Championship opener at Sheffield United, Dean played his first game of the new season in the 3-1 League Cup win at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
However, Nico Yennaris wore the armband in that game and Smith confirmed Dean would not be skipper until he commits to the Bees.
“At the moment he’s in a little bit of limbo with contract negotiations and while that’s going on I think it’s right that somebody else carries the armband at the moment”, Smith said.
“We’ve had no bids from anybody. His representatives have been in talks with the football club but I’m sure his representatives are also pitching him round to other clubs as well.
“He’s fully committed to the cause and I’ve got a great relationship with Harlee.”
Smith made 10 changes for the Wimbledon game and praised his squad depth after the 3-1 win, although he was baffled by the decision not to give what seemed like an obvious handball outside the box by Dons keeper George Long.
“It was a very debatable decision,” Smith added
“I don’t know what the officials quite saw there to be honest, but it’s something you have to get on with.
“We didn’t take our chances today which would have seen the game off in 90 minutes and that’s something we’ll have to get better at.”
