Dean Smith backed goalkeeper Dan Bentley ahead of Brentford's west London derby with Fulham.

The shot stopper has made some costly errors in recent games, notably when it comes to dealing with crosses.

But the head coach has been quick to defend his keeper, who held his hands up for his mistake in the 2-2 draw at QPR.

He said: “I'm not concerned. Dan is a very good goalkeeper. He made a mistake for their first goal and against Leeds.

“He made a mistake early in the second half and then after that took a ball under pressure so he's a player you look at and knows it doesn't affect him. He'll get on with the game and better and better.”

Bentley has made some key saves during his time at Brentford but will know recent errors have been costly.

“What is form? He's made a mistake. Other players make mistakes during a game and it's not highlighted much. That's all it was,” Smith explained.

“One of the things we've got in the squad is a great culture and a great bond. Dan Bentley made a mistake and he held his hand up but the players around him weren't there to get him out of it and they held their hands up as well.

“Football is a game of mistakes and you want to make less mistakes than the opposition.

Dan Bentley

“If you look back at the goal, he doesn't get protection from the one of Jake Bidwell and that's something we, as a group, would accept.”

There is certainly a case made for Luke Daniels and Smith knows he faces a selection dilemma with the former Scunthorpe man itching for a start.

He added: That's why Dan Bentley knows he has to make less mistakes because he knows he has Luke Daniels pushing him all the way.”