Head coach Dean Smith has only been in charge at Griffin Park for seven matches, but that is long enough for him to know he is happy with his lot.

The 44-year-old, whose men lost 2-1 at Birmingham City on Saturday, has collected 11 points from a possible 21 in that time and has his side 10th in the Championship table.

Marinus Dijkhuizen, who was Brentford head coach at the start of the season, secured just eight points from his eight games at the helm.

But since his departure, the Bees have added 28 points to their tally under Lee Carsley and Smith thanks to eight wins and four draws in 17 games.

A draw at Fulham and defeats to Cardiff City Birmingham City could have been turned into five points to add that total on other days, which might have had the Bees level on points with sixth placed Ipswich Town.

A desire to secure three points rather than settle for one is a footballing philosophy largely imbedded in the players by former manager Mark Warburton.

It is a trait Smith has been pleased to see in his squad thus far and he hopes results will continue to look after themselves providing his men keep delivering the performance levels he demands.

"What have I been impressed with at Brentford? The quality of the players and the desire to win football games. It's a style of football I like as well," he said after Saturday's defeat.

"In the seven games I've had I've been really pleased with the players. You can't control results, but you can control performances.

"The football club has been used to winning football games over recent years. I'd rather win two and lose one than draw all three games.”

A player beginning to find his feet under the new head coach is striker Philipp Hofmann, who scored in Saturday's defeat at Birmingham City.

The goal took his season's tally to four for the season, but more importantly it was his first under his new boss.

And Hofmann's efforts were not lost on Smith.

"Hofmann's intensity in training is getting better and he's lasting longer in training," he added.

"I thought he made an impact at Reading and again against Birmingham City."