Dean Smith looked to keep out of the disagreement between owner Matthew Benham and the Brentford supporters.

The owner expressed his frustrations about a section of the Griffin Park support, who were constantly getting on the team's back and his comments

The Bees head coach is not a fan of social media and believes it makes football managers' lives harder.

And he claimed he wasn't aware of the owner's feelings after the 1-1 draw with Derby, where he questioned how getting on players backs can help the team.

“I've not been made aware of it. I'm not a big Twitter fan as you know,” he said.

“Matthew is sat in the stand with supporters and obviously he's hearing things he probably feels people should curb and get behind the lads until the final whistle.”

Brentford FC main investor and owner-to-be Matthew Benham

Part of the frustration in the ground was because the Bees, who were trailing 1-0, were pushing for an equaliser but Derby, who were playing with virtually everyone behind the ball, were repelling them.

There were occasions when the Bees had the ball around the penalty area but looked to pass, rather than shoot, which led to some frustration.

Smith explained: “If you look at the goals against Bolton. One is a free kick but the second goal from Nico he'd had two or three touches where the pitch had opened up for him.

“They had a lot of numbers behind the ball the whole time. I don't think we moved the ball quick enough to have a shot and that's something we have to get better at.”

Ollie Watkins scores

Another area where Bees fans feel the side can improve is to see the squad gambling for a ball in the box, notably when Ollie Watkins' first half cross flashed across the face of goal but no player was running to try and get on the end of it.

Smith added: “There's different kinds of bravery – you can put your head into areas where people would and bravery where you lose the ball and get the ball back. There are brave players on our team.

“With the cross, they were expecting a cut back rather than going back. If he'd cut back and we'd scored we'd be having a different conversation.

“I have to credit the Derby defenders for how they defended but also the patience of our players.

“For half an hour in the first half and at times in the second half we didn't move fast enough to tire them.

Dean Smith

“If you see the goal at the end, they've got eight players in the box and we still managed to score.

“We lost the ball twice and won it back with counter pressing with Henrik and Flo working wide to score.”

Smith, though, will be taking that theme onto the training ground and look to try and break down a side who are putting bodies behind the ball.

He said: “We'll be working on it as if it becomes a common theme, teams will do that. I don't think teams will have the calibre of defenders Derby have.

“I wouldn't expect to go to Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough and see them sit back.”

He explained further: “It's a sign of respect. A team like Derby have to come and negate a game like they did with the quality of the players they've got. Such was the domination on the football, they have to.”