Dean Smith blasted his Brentford side's performance and suggested that his team worked more as individuals after going 2-0 down in the 3-1 loss to Norwich.

The Bees were second best throughout the evening and appeared to have given up after Mario Vrancic put the Canaries two goals up from the spot and from a free kick.

And Smith felt it was the first time this season he had to rip his side's performance.

He said: “The second half performance was very insipid and very poor. Once the second goal went in I felt we stopped working as a team and worked more as individuals.

“Everything that worked during pre-season and this season disappeared. It wasn't good enough but that's the first time I've said that this season.”

The fact that Ilias Chatzitheodoridis and Theo Archibald, two of the younger players in the squad, stood out was a reflection on how the experienced pros performed.

Smith added: “Our retention of the ball was poor. Our reaction to second balls were poor in the second half.

“We'll talk about it tomorrow and show them. People have to take responsibility out there. I'll take responsibility for the selection and performance.

Ilias Chatzitheodoridis

“That's the first time that's happened. I felt a few felt sorry for themselves and we have to make sure we put this to bed tomorrow morning.”

The head coach, though, doesn't regret making seven changes to his side as he feels the game with Bolton on Saturday is more important.

He explained: “We can talk about if the penalty going in it becomes a different game. They get another soft free kick and what I expect from my players is a reaction.

“I look back at team selection but it was the right selection at the right time as we've got seven games in a month and Saturday is important for us.

“Ollie Watkins needed a rest. Rico Henry has had to rest a knee and it's the same with Andreas Bjelland. We'll come back fresher on Saturday.”