Dean Smith has, once again, come to the defence of Romaine Sawyers and believes the Brentford playmaker is an intelligent footballer.

The former Walsall man has become a scapegoat with a certain section of supporters who, for instance, jeered him when he passed the ball backwards against Cardiff.

And Smith insisted that Sawyers is always looking for the ball and dismissed suggestions that his body language has been an issue – pointing out that nobody had any issues with that at QPR when he scored a fine second goal.

He said: “Romaine can play as an attacking midfielder, a number 10 or centre midfielder. He's an intelligent footballer who understands the game.

Remember this? Romaine Sawyers

“I think we look at results rather than performances and players get judged on results rather than performances.

“He's an intelligent lad, he's sensitive like any other person. He probably hears the detractors but he doesn't shy away from going to get the ball.

“That's a strength of his character that keeps looking for the ball.”

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