Brentford take on Aldershot in their first pre-season friendly of the summer as they build up to the big kick-off against Sheffield United on August 5.
The Bees have made three signings in the off-season so far with the capture of South Africa international Kamohelo Mokotjo from FC Twente coming this lunchtime.
And Smith confirmed that he will be using the game as a chance to get some minutes into the legs of his squad, which will include a host of B team players, while no chances will be taken on injuries.
He said: “We'll be working on some ideas in the pre-season games. The first couple of games will be getting 45 minutes into the players' legs and the next four games will be what we're working to set up for the season.
“If I have any fear of anybody being out for a longer term then I'll be pulling them off.”
You can follow updates from tonight's game in our live blog.
Key Events
Action shots
Reece pieces together his claim
Many would have expected Reece Cole to be a B team regular this season but he’s made an excellent impression in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
His first goal was a cool finish after being played through by Sergi Canos, who looks to have added some muscle over the summer.
Cole’s display won’t have gone unnoticed and more displays like this will raise eyebrows and increase the banging on the first team dressing room door.
GOAL! 3-1 Brentford
That is poor from Mark Smith against his former club. Sergi Canos fires a shot in and Smith can’t handle it and it trickles into the net.
Before those two Reece Cole strikes there were 10 Brentford substitutes.
Luke Daniels remains in goal and the Bees are lining up as follows
Right Back: Henrik Dalsgaard
Centre Backs: Harlee Dean and Manny Onariase
Left Back: Rico Henry
Right Winger: Theo Archibald
Centre midfielders: Reece Cole, Chris Mepham, Nico Yennaris
Left Winger: Florian Jozefzoon
Striker: Sergi Canos
GOAL! Brentford lead
What a strike that is! Reece Cole sticks it in the top bins from 30 yards
GOAL! Brentford are level
Sergi Canos plays Reece Cole through and he finishes confidently past Mark Smith
Half time Brentford analysis
The first half hasn’t been much to write home about but, in truth, this was what I was expecting from Brentford.
Luke Daniels has looked solid and can’t be held accountable to Aldershot’s goal which came about from a John Egan error.
The B team players have fitted into the side seamlessly and have clearly been well taught by Kevin O’Connor about the way the first team play.
The only thing really lacking has been killer instinct in the final third. There’s more to come but expect there to be multiple changes from Brentford at the break.
The Brentford skipper for the evening was clearly furious with himself. Not the best of starts but, at the same time, he will be saying at least it was in a friendly and not when points were at stake.
I personally believe that every player has a number of mistakes in them a year. May as well get them out of the way when it doesn’t matter.
GOAL! 1-0 Aldershot
28 minutes in and Bernard Mensah beats John Egan and slots home to give the home team the lead
First impressions
Aldershot aren’t giving Brentford any time on the ball here and forcing the Bees back before they play the diagonal ball forward. That beign said you can see the Bees’ style of play coming through when they have time on the ball.
The Shots are happy to mix it up, going direct as well as playing it neatly about the place. Manny Oyeleke gets the first meaningful shot away after eluding the clutches of Ryan Woods. Woods sees his shot blocked a few minutes later.
You can tell there’s a lack of match sharpness and cohesion at this point early in the game. This should come as no surprise given what Brentford want to get out of tonight (blow the cobwebs away after the summer break).
Here come the trialists...
So i’ve had a go at trying to find out a bit about the new faces in the Shots line up for tonight...
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-arsenal-west-ham-defender-13300738
The to teams are out on the pitch. John Egan is captaining the Bees, who are in last season’s kit but with an updated badge and sponsor.
Much has been made of Jota missing tonight’s friendly but there’s not much to be concerned about just yet.
The game is about blowing the cobwebs away and building fitness. The bigger question is whether the Spaniard is off to France tomorrow for the training camp.
The Bees substitutes for tonight are warming up and the game will be starting in about 15 minutes.
Team news!
Aldershot Town
First half: Smith, Alexander, Arnold, Nabay, Wvans, Cook, Feneoln, Oyeleke, Rendell, Mensah, Taylor.
Subs: Shaw, Wrightman, Olomourae, Kirwan, Clarke
Second halfL Smith, Fenelon, Mensah, Shaw, Olomourae, Coker, McClure, Okojie, Gallagher, Kellermann, Barthram.
Subs: Nabay, Cook, Oyeleke, Wrightman, Kirwan, Clarke
Team News
Brentford have named a starting line-up that comprises a mixture of first team players and the B team squad.
Dean Smith has opted to play a mixed side, with the expectation that the team will change at half-time in its entirity at the break.
Lasse Vibe, Andreas Bjelland and Romaine Sawyers have been given the game off after returning to training on Wednesday.
Jota, who is not at the EBB Stadium, is also absent amid speculation regarding his future.
Brentford: Luke Daniels, Yoann Barbet, Josh Clarke, Brad Clayton, Maxime Colin, John Egan, Tom Field, Josh McEachran, Justin Shaibu, Zain Westbrooke, Ryan Woods.
Brentford substitutes: Dan Bentley, Henrik Dalsgaard, Harlee Dean, Emmanuel Onariase, Chris Mepham, Florian Jozefzoon, Rico Henry, Reece Cole, Nico Yennaris, Sergi Canos, Theo Archibald.
Jota is not at the EBB
The Brentford players have been out to inspect the pitch and we have NOT seen Jota. It appears we won’t be seeing him in action tonight.
Welcome
Good evening from the EBB stadium.
I’m Tom Moore and I’ll be here to bring you updates from Brentford’s pre-season friendly at Aldershot Town.
We’re expecting two different Bees sides this evening with the entire team changing at half-time.
All the eyes will be on the situation regarding Jota amid speculation around his future. We’ll be providing an update on that shortly.
