Dean Smith labelled Brentford's performance in their 5-0 hammering by Norwich as the worst of his managerial career and apologised to the supporters after the drubbing.

The Bees were outclassed from kick off to the final whistle as the Canaries, who had come into the game after five successive losses, found their mojo again and made the west Londoners look nervously over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

A John Egan own goal and strikes from Graham Dorrans, Robbie Brady, Nelson Oliveira and man of the match Alex Pritchard handed Norwich a comfortable win.

“The players have to look in the mirrors and I'll look the mirror as well. I'll look at the selection and I felt after the third goal a few of us gave up,” Smith said.

“The players have been told they have to go out and deliver every day in training and in your matches. We wanted to get a good start but the manner of the goals conceded.”

The door of the Brentford dressing room was locked and the squad had a full and frank discussion about that disgraceful performance.

Alex Pritchard has made the switch to Norwich.

He explained: “It wasn't a crisis meeting by any means. It was a discussion with the players of what I thought about them and what they need to do better and what they need to get to.

“They've proven they can compete in this league as performance at Brighton, Villa and Derby proved.”

He added: “It was an honest, open and frank discussion. Nothing was left behind.

“Players know where I'm at and what I feel we need to do and that wasn't acceptable.”

Smith was quick to apologise to the supporters, especially those who made the 200-mile round trip from west London.

He stated: “I apologise for our performance and they don't deserve to see that. They travelled in their numbers, got behind us and were with us at the end of the game.

“The players do try but they don't try to clever when they go two goals down. We end up playing in ones and twos than as a team.”