Dean Smith expects to be a picture of calmness on the sidelines as the madness of a west London derby goes on around him today.

Emotions are sure to be running high when Brentford take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, but that is exactly what the new Bees boss wants to eradicate from the equation.

For Smith prides himself on keeping emotions in check in the dugout, not just in highly charged games like today's, but at all times.

He said: “There has to be a sense of emotional control, you have to keep your discipline. You don't let the occasion get to you, that will be very important.

“I have always believed that if the manager is losing it on the sidelines, it gives his players license to lose it on the pitch. You'll always find me on the other side of the technical area to my opposite number.

“There's been a couple of times I nearly lost it. Against Rotherham once, their bench was doing everything they could to try to influence the game, and once against Leeds I gave the ref zero out of 100 after we had a red card, a dodgy penalty against us and a goal disallowed that never should have been.

“I usually manage to compose myself before the red mist descends though. You can't change what has happened, it's about what you do next.”

Smith admits his experience of derbies have been limited as both player and manager, but he already has one up on Fulham, having helped Chris Coleman's side out of the FA Cup when assistant manager at Leyton Orient 10 years ago.

Upset: Leyton Orient celebrate knocking Fulham out of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage

He said: “That was a big game for the club. Fulham were in the Premier League and Orient were in League Two, but we went thee and won 2-1 and got into the fifth round.

“As a player, the closest I got to a derby was Orient against Southend, or when they played any other London team

“A couple of years ago Walsall were in the same league as Wolves, and that was quite big. We lost there on penalties in the JPT but then went back in the league a few weeks later and beat them. That was one of the most intense fixtures I have been involved in.”

The Fulham game comes at the end of Smith's first full week in charge of the Bees, and he feels he is already starting to get the measure of his side.

Intense: Walsall take on Wolves

He added: “You start to get more of a feel for the club. This week has been quieter, getting to know the players more, and I have been struck by their ability, togetherness and work ethic. It will be difficult for any team to beat us, never mind Fulham.”

Keep your eyes on GetWestLondon for all the action and reaction from today's derby.