New Brentford boss Dean Smith has credited Martin Ling with installing in him the footballing philosophy which helped him land the Griffin Park gig.

The style of football Smith got his former Walsall side playing in League One was one of the main reasons he was tempted away to west London .

Smith revealed it is something which has stuck with him since his first days in management, as assistant to Ling at Leyton Orient.

He said: “I've taken influence from everyone I have played under, they have all left an impression on me.

“My first management job was as Martin Ling's assistant at Orient, and I remember him saying he was told that you couldn't play football to get out of League Two. We managed to do it in my first full season, and that had a big affect on me.”

New surroundings: Richard O'Kelly and Dean Smith

Smith got an early taste of the sort of football he will trying to recreate at Griffin Park the last time Brentford and Walsall met, in a 1-1 draw at the Bescot in January 2014.

In a game which also left an impression on Smith, Walsall became the first team to take a point off a Mark Warburton Brentford side, Warbs having led the Bees to six wins on the spin after taking charge.

He said: “I texted Mark Warburton at the end of Brentford's promotion season to congratulate him on doing a fantastic job.

“That game at our place was one of the best games I have been involved in. Brentford were on a run of six wins on the spin and were flying, and it was an exciting end to end game with both sides playing great football.

“That's the brand of football I have associated with Brentford ever since, and the style of football is very important to myself and Richard (O'Kelly, Smith's assistant).”