Smith says ‘grass isn’t always greener’ elsewhere as he hints at Brentford stay

Posted Sunday, May 06, 2018 by PA

Brentford boss Dean Smith poured cold water on speculation linking him with other managerial jobs to give the broadest hint yet that he will still be in charge at Griffin Park next season.

Smith was speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Hull saw them finish the Championship season in ninth place, six points off the play-offs.

He said: “There’s always going to be speculation about managers or players when a side does well, particularly when it’s a club our size.

“But there is a long-term plan at this club and I’m acutely aware of what I have got here and that is always a big factor. It is a proper family club – in fact I was shocked to see my daughter walk out for the lap of honour with me.”

The 47-year-old, rumoured to be a target for West Brom, added: “It is a good football club and I’m enjoying my time here. On the playing side, I have no idea if we will lose players in the summer, but they have developed as young men individually and as a group. It’s a privilege to be their head coach.

“If you leave it’s not always rosy and the grass isn’t always greener. There has to be a good reason to leave rather than moving on all the time.”

Smith made seven changes to his side for the visit of Hull, who themselves made five.

Home goalkeeper Luke Daniels made his first start of the season but could do little about Jarrod Bowen’s goal on half-time that cancelled out Sergi Canos’ opener. He also denied Harry Wilson from the spot after bringing down Fraizer Campbell following a sloppy clearance.

Smith said: “He has done well and deserved his spot for pushing Dan Bentley all season, but then so have the other boys in the squad who all came in today and slotted into the system we have.

“Unfortunately, our decision making in the final third was not quite there again and that’s been the story of the season. We had a number of opportunities but didn’t take them.”

Hull boss Nigel Adkins said his squad will have a more streamlined look when the season kicks off in August.

The Tigers signed off in 18th spot, eight points above the relegation zone.

Adkins said: “Now we have to look to take it on from here. We have a large squad of players and we have to build and I’d like to think that everyone is positive about how things are at the training ground.

“We will reduce numbers purposefully because everyone wants to play, but we have a young hungry nucleus of players and that’s important.”

Adkins defended dropping five first-team regulars from his squad – all of whom are out of contract in the summer – and insisted: “I just picked 11 to try to win a game of football. It was an entertaining game between two sides who wanted to play football.

“Brentford are a good side and I love watching them play, but if you give the ball away cheaply it’s going to take a while to get it back and in these scorching conditions you don’t want to have to work hard to get it back.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win it because of the penalty but it was an entertaining game and our fans were magnificent all afternoon.”