Brentford boss Dean Smith says team selection will be down to him
Wednesday 2 December 2015 16:53, UK
New Brentford head coach Dean Smith is adamant he will be picking the team and no one else.
The 44-year-old left Walsall to take over at Griffin Park this week and joins a football department with devolved responsibilities across a number of expert coaches.
Smith says he will draw on the influence of those coaches but the buck stops with him when it comes to team selection.
"I'll be responsible for training and team selection but I will be involved in everything," he said.
"I'll be taking Influence in team selection from the coaching staff - people I trust - but at the end of the day I pick the team.
"From the outside it looks different from any other club. But it's got some really good people here with really good ideas. And the style of play is aligned to mine.
"It's an interesting venture for myself and my assistant Richard [O'Kelly]. To manage a Championship club, going upwards, is exciting.
"I had a strategy at Walsall and although this one is slightly different, I feel it's a good fit."
Brentford finished in the play-offs last season but decided to implement a long-term strategy for promotion, which does not require a top-six finish this term.
Smith added: "There has been no target set for this season. The short-term and long-term vision is to get to the Premier League, but at the moment we are looking no further than the next game against MK Dons.
"I've been aware of the team for some time and there are a lot of good players here. I want to help them develop and get better."
