James Tarkowski is unsure what the reasons are for Brentford's poor start but believes the club are still trying to gel as a team and the international break will help them improve.

The Bees are only out of the relegation zone on goals scored and performances have been a marked step backward from last season.

Head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen was sacked last week after the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, with Lee Carsley taking over.

Results have not improved with 2-0 defeats following against Birmingham and Derby and Tarkowski admitted he is unsure exactly what is the reason for the club's poor start this season.

He said: “It's hard to pinpoint it. There's been a lot of change. It's never easy when you're changing a lot of staff and players.

“We are still trying to gel and I think we are improving. I hope under Lee we can bond together and, first of all, keep a clean sheet.

“We've got to stick together and I'm sure the good times will come back. The more work we put on the training ground the better the performances will be.”

Co-director of football Rasmus Ankersen suggested the main reason Dijkhuizen lost his job was down to what was going on at the training ground, although the defender claimed he enjoyed working with the Dutchman.

He added: “Different managers have different ways they want to work. Marinus had his way of working and I don't think it was a bad way of working.

“The people above decided we needed a change because results weren't going our way. We'll work with Lee and we can improve and the results will show that.”

Fitness plan: Lee Carsley

Carsley intends to have the players undergo a mini pre-season over the international break and Tarkowski believes it can help the players get to know their roles better.

The defender explained: “I think (the break coming now) is good. We've got a lot more training before our next game and we can work with the coaches and get the way we want to play together properly.”

Brentford fans are worried about seeing a return to League One, having spent all bar a handful of seasons in the lower divisions since the second world war, but Tarkowski called on them to stick with the squad.

He added: “I'd like them to stick behind us. Last season, we had an outstanding year and had a lot of good times.

“You've got to stick with us in the bad times. Hopefully, the harder we work, and we are working hard and we never gave up at Derby, and we can pick up points.”

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