Dean Smith brings up a century of games in charge of Brentford but he won't be toasting it unless they beat QPR on Monday night.

The Bees boss also celebrates two years in charge on November 30 and it has been a dramatic period in the club's history.

But Smith, a man who doesn't always get the credit he deserves for the job he does on the pitch and behind the scenes, is only interested in winning games, starting with the trip to Loftus Road and would rather see an English cricketer celebrate a century in the Ashes than him bringing up three figures with a defeat.

“I'd raise my bat but I don't think it'd be allowed in,” he quipped in his press conference on Friday. “It's great to get there and to show the continuity of the club. We see too much change in the Championship nowadays.

“It'll be special but only if we win. I'm not one for milestones. I'd rather see one of the English lads get a ton in the Ashes.”

Dean Smith

The Brentford head coach is currently 26th on the longest serving managers list and fourth in the Championship.

And he paid tribute to Matthew Benham and co directors of football Rasmus Ankersen and Phil Giles for running a stable club.

He added: “It's crazy. When I was at Walsall, I was the fourth longest serving in all of the leagues.

“I've been very thankful for the owners I've worked under and the people I've worked with. The people here are good people to work for.

“You're always on your toes to get better and people are looking to push you as well. I feel I've got better as it's gone and I feel we have got better as it has gone on.

“We've evolved in the way we train, look after players. You can see a cryotherapy chamber in there and make sure the lads are recovered for the ongoing games.”

Romaine Sawyers celebrates his goal

Smith's time in charge has been a rollercoaster with the Bees producing some excellent performances, as well as some dreadful ones.

He reflected: “The first game I really enjoyed, MK Dons at home. The reception I got from the fans and the style of play was very good. Beating QPR 3-1 at home.

“Derby 4-0 but I think our best performance was against Aston Villa in January. There's been a number of standouts but that's a credit to the players.

“There are a few games where I've stood there and felt powerless and one of them was QPR away in March 2016. I feel our squad is stronger and I feel we can change things on the bench.”

Questioned Brentford's methods: Ian Holloway

Off the pitch, Smith has seen players leave the club in every transfer window yet, despite the pundits, and other managers, questioning Brentford's model, they have still been a top half Championship side.

And it is the way the Bees continue to sell and reinvest that is one of the most pleasing things for Smith in his time at the club.

He said: “It's how we've replaced top players at the club. Players have moved on and valuations have been met but it's not stopped our progress.

“We've recruited well but developed well and that's part of our model. The development of our young players has been pleasing, not just at first team level but also at B team level.

“I never have regrets. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I make decisions at the time for the right reasons.

“I don't look back and regret. I review and reflect but that's part of my learning process as well.

He added: “The consistency we've shown this season has pleased me. There's an identity to the club in how we play and how we do things.

“The quality of the squad stands out for itself to me and for people to see us as possible play-off contenders we are on the right road.”

Smith is always looking forward and, while play-offs may look a long shot, the Bees are a strong run of form from closing ground to the top six and applying pressure to some of the more faniced Championship sides.

“We're looking to finish in the top six. After the slow start we need to put a winning run together and hopefully that can start now. If we can have one loss in the next 11 games we'll be right amongst it,” he said.

“I'm very excited as, already, we've gone to Villa Park, we've gone to Hillsborough, we've played Leeds in front of the cameras, we've been to the Riverside and played very good football and we can challenge with the best teams in the league.”