Bees looked tired, says Smith

Brentford boss Dean Smith cited fatigue as a factor in his side’s home defeat by Huddersfield.

Saturday’s Championship game was the Bees’ seventh in four weeks and Smith, who made just one change to the line-up, felt his team looked drained at times in their 1-0 loss.

“We started quite brightly but there was a spell in the first half where I thought we got too deep and looked leggy and they controlled it,” admitted the Brentford manager.

“I thought they were the better team in the first half – I’ve got no complaints about that, but we gave it a go at the end and at the start of the second half, with lots of endeavour.

“It just didn’t drop for us. We looked a little bit flatter than we have done in recent weeks.

“We’ve got a young squad and we’ve had a few injuries as well, so it’s not been easy to change the team too often. I might have to freshen it up, but I’m not sure where yet.”

The only goal of the game arrived in the 28th minute, when Rajiv van La Parra’s shot was deflected in off Brentford captain Harlee Dean.

However, the Bees did have opportunities to salvage a point, with teenage left-back Rico Henry firing just wide and Lasse Vibe twice going close at the start of the second half.

Smith added: “I’m quite pleased with young Rico Henry – he’s been involved in five games in the Championship, at 19 years old, and he’s got a bright future.

“It was a poor goal to concede – the lad’s cut inside and it clipped off Harlee Dean’s head. It’s fine margins sometimes and unfortunately that can cost you the game.”

Brentford are back in action on Tuesday, when they take on struggling Wolves at Griffin Park.