Hogan substitution was planned, says Smith
Brentford head coach Dean Smith explained Scott Hogan’s half-time substitution in the win over Fulham was pre-planned as part of the player’s recovery process.
Hogan scored twice in the first half as the Bees eased into a 3-0 lead against their west London rivals, but he did not reappear after the break.
Smith joked that the striker was not happy at being taken off – but insisted it would benefit Hogan’s long-term fitness.
He said: “I don’t think he’s speaking to me at the moment for taking him off at half-time having scored two goals!
“But it was always a plan between me and the medical staff because of the injuries that he’s had. You have to go softly-softly and he’s had a couple of soft tissue injuries as well.
“When I came out for the second half, I knew he was angry with me but I saw him with ice on his knee, ice on his hamstring and ice on his head, so I knew it was the right decision.
“We have to manage him in the correct way so we can get the best out of him.”
W D L F A Pts
Brentford 2 1 1 6 5 7
Fulham 2 1 1 9 6 7
QPR 1 0 3 3 8 3
Smith added he was pleased with the way his young team had collected 19 points from a possible 24 during a busy April, having had poor results in the previous two months.
The Bees boss said: “There were lots of positives – a good performance and a super result against local rivals.
“After [poor form in] February and March, to turn April into six wins, a draw and a defeat is a credit to the players.”
