Dean Smith has brushed over Brentford's horrible record against Middlesbrough in recent seasons.

The Bees have faced Boro six times in the Championship and the play-offs and lost every single contest.

However, since the two teams last met the west Londoners have overhauled their team and none of those starting on Saturday faced Boro in the play-offs in 2015.

Smith said: “The mental scarring was mentioned before. I've faced them the once and we should have won the game.

“Dave Button dropped the ball and they scored from a yard but we dominated. It's a game I'm looking forward to.

“Not many players have played Middlesbrough and they'll be looking forward to play at the Riverside.”

Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter sends David Button the wrong way from the spot

The Bees haven't had the points they've deserved so far this season but Smith feels their performance levels have been worthy of greater rewards.

He added: “Performance wise, it's been good but we haven't got the points return we should have.

“We've got to turn dominance in games into points. The performances against Villa, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby merited wins. It won't take an awful lot to make that happen.”

Brentford rescued a point against Derby late on through Ollie Watkins, although they had to work hard to break down the Rams, who played with 11 men behind the ball.

Smith, though, expects Boro to look to play on the front foot rather than sit at the back.

He explained: “They will be expansive. Garry knows they'll be looking to go back up to the Premier League.

“They'll be looking to open us up and score goals. They won't sit behind the ball and we'll have to be as good as we have been defensively and create more chances.”