Brentford 0-0 Brighton: Dean Smith and Chris Hughton reaction
Sunday 27 December 2015 11:55, UK
Brentford boss Dean Smith insisted his disappointment at the Bees first goalless draw in 60 games, against high-flying Brighton, was a measure of just how well they are playing.
"I think it speaks volumes that we are not happy at dropping points at home, especially as I thought we were the better team," Smith said after the 0-0 Sky Bet Championship stalemate.
Neither side could make the breakthrough in an enthralling end-to-end affair, but it was the hosts who came closest as the game opened up after the break.
Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale denied Jake Bidwell and Alan Judge with full-length saves as the Londoners went in search of the winning goal at Griffin Park.
Head coach Smith said: "I thought we made them look average at times. We played with a good attitude, intensity and quality and but for the 'keeper it might have ended differently."
Seagulls boss Chris Hughton paid tribute to his former club as he was forced to shuffle the pack before and during the game after losing James Wilson to illness and Gordon Greer with a tight hamstring.
"There are lots of exciting games at Brentford at the moment. They play a brand of football which revolves around a lot of sharp players good on the ball, and they will test any opposition," he said.
"As a team we had to dig deep because Brentford are a good team. When we have needed David Stockdale he has been there and produced for us."
Hughton admitted part of the philosophy prior to the trip to west London was to ensure his side did not lose for a second game in a row following their home reverse at the hands of Middlesbrough.
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He said: "That was a part of the thinking, but we played two up front so we came here to win the game.
"Midway through we felt Brentford were getting too much possession in midfield but we got to grips with it in the second half and if anything we looked more threatening on the break."
Bees midfielder Alan Judge looked the class act in a game where every player was comfortable on the ball despite a difficult swirling wind.
And Smith will be urging the Brentford management team to hold onto their prized asset ahead of the Euros in France next year.
"His attitude, the fact that he's a bundle of energy and a dynamo make him a very important player for us and I will be telling Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane," he said.
"The fact that Brighton came to us and put an extra man in midfield and a lot of men behind the ball whenever we had it is a credit to us and the way we're playing.
"When you're playing like we play it's disappointing we have bot got a win, but that shows how far we have come."
Smith, who revealed talks are advanced over keeping Sergi Canos and John Swift on loan from Liverpool and Chelsea, added: "We can take a lot of confidence from our performances over the last five games.
"I have been really pleased with the levels we have hit and feel confident for the coming months."
