Dean Smith felt his side's performance at Sheffield United merited more than the 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.

The Bees fell to a Billy Sharp header shortly before half time as the west Londoners continued their winless opening day run going back to 2011.

But Smith felt his side's performance showed promise and was a step up on this time last year when Brentford lost to Huddersfield.

He said: “A disappointing result and not what our performance deserved. I thought the first half was a bit of a nothing game. It looked slow.

Jota

“We didn't more the ball as quickly as we normally do and I don't think they did either. There wasn't a lot of goalmouth action in the first half.

“I felt we had a couple of good chances. Jota put one wide which he normally takes. Lasse got on the end of a couple.

“We conceded a bit of fortunate goal. Billy Sharp has had one chance and scored. Leon Clarke miskicks the ball and then crosses it for the header.”

Brentford had struggles in the midfield battle with Ryan Woods, Josh McEachran and Kamo Mokotjo having limited time on the ball and Smith admitted that made it difficult for them.

He added: “Sheffield United are a good, organised team and went man for man against Woodsy, McEachran and Mokotjo and made it difficult for us. We expected that.

Dan Bentley celebrates Scott Hogan's hat-trick

“We knew there was space over the top but didn't play the ball as much as I'd have liked. In the second half, they had two disallowed goals.

“I can't remember Dan Bentley making too many saves. We had some good second half chances that we didn't take.”

Brentford only took control after Nico Yennaris came on on the hour mark with the midfielder, Jota, Lasse Vibe and fellow subsititute Neal Maupay going close.

He explained: “We wanted a bit more energy wanted more of a threat in their half and their box. Ollie Watkins came on as did Nico Yennaris.

“I thought we had a number of chances in the second half that we didn't take.”

Nico Yennaris on the ball against Newcastle

Those missed chances came back to bite the Bees as they were unable to rescue a point in the closing stages.

Smith said: “We've had some balls into the box. Neal Maupay has took the goalkeeper and he recovered to make a good save.

“We hit the bar and missed two headers. Jota has had a few shots which he normally converts. I'm disappointed with the result but I'm not too despondent.

“I look back at the Huddersfield game and we're a much better team and that team will get better as well.”