Smith rues missed chances after Bees defeat

Brentford boss Dean Smith labelled Derby a Premier League team in waiting after the 3-1 defeat at Griffin Park – and bemoaned two missed chances by his side late in the game.

The Bees led 1-0 after 80 minutes but goals from Jeff Hendrick, Cyrus Christie and Chris Martin saw the Rams pick up their first win since beating Fulham on Boxing Day.

Smith admitted Derby were physically imposing and felt their strength from the bench proved the difference between the two sides.

He said: “They were just a strong and powerful team. You only have to look at the substitutions they made in Martin, [Tom] Ince and [Nick] Blackman, who they paid an awful lot of money for.

“It just shows you the gulf that you’re competing against. In all but name they’re a Premier League squad of players.

“But I thought we were competitive after the first 20 minutes. We scored a good goal, played in their half and looked very organised.”

Brentford could still have snatched a draw as, at 2-1 down, Marco Djuricin nodded over when well-placed and Jake Bidwell saw a header cleared off the line.

Derby went straight up the other end to score their third and Smith was frustrated that chances weren’t taken.

He said: “The game’s [about] fine margins. Marco probably should have scored with his header, Bidwell’s had a header kicked off the line in the last minute, then all of a sudden it’s 3-1.”