Brentford boss Dean Smith is happy with his side's defensive qualities following their fourth clean sheet in the last eight matches, writes Mark Ritson .

And he has to decide on whether to keep the defensive pairing of Jon Egan and Andreas Bjelland for the visit of Sunderland tomorrow.

Both, of course, helped to keep a shutout last weekend against Millwall, but the likes of Yoann Barbet and Chris Mepham are fighting hard to regain their starting positions.

"It's really pleasing. Defensively, I think we have been solid," said Smith, speaking at his pre-match press conference today.

"As I mentioned last week, it was very difficult for me after the game up at Middlesbrough to change both centre-backs.

"Chris Mepham and Yoann Barbet did terrific up there but I just felt we needed the experience of Jon Egan and Andreas Bjelland against Millwall.

"It shows we have a really competitive squad who are fighting to get into the team.

"But the pleasing thing is the team spirit, that gets you a long way. You could see Chris Mepham and Yoann Barbet celebrating with the players at the final whistle."