Brentford produced a limp, lifeless performance as they were soundly beaten by west London rivals QPR.

After an even first half, the Bees fell behind to a fine strike from Junior Hoilett just before the interval.

However, they failed to show enough desire and were on the receiving end of two quick goals from Sebastian Polter and Tjaronn Chery.

Here are five talking points about where Brentford go from the heavy defeat to Rangers.

Dean Smith makes a point over strikers

Nico Yennaris against Junior Hoilett

By starting Alan Judge in a 'false nine', the Dean Smith was making his case for a striker to be brought in on loan for the rest of the season. Indeed, the jokes were coming in when the team was announced that Brentford have been playing with a 'false nine' throughout 2016.

He explained the Philipp Hofmann had a back injury, while Lasse Vibe and Marco Djuricin have struggled for form. Bearing in mind that, between the three of them, they have scored one goal this year (Hofmann at Birmingham).

Vibe has struggled with fatigue given that he's been playing competitive football for a year.

There are those who question why footballers can be fatigued when they play once or twice a week.

However, it's not just the playing. It's the daily grind of physical and mental training. Plus, for Vibe, he's had to move country, adapt to a new culture on and off the pitch, while trying to maintain a semblance of form.

Djuricin was a player the club, although not Mark Warburton, were keen on signing last January. Since his return from injury, the Austrian hasn't really looked like scoring and Smith has sent out the message that he doesn't want the club to make his move permanent.

I hear comments that scoring goals is not the problem, given Brentford are one of the higher scorers in the division.

Ultimately, if a striker is not producing the goods in front of goal it means the club has to rely on the midfield or, by and large, Alan Judge.

Judge's struggle

Strange position: Alan Judge

Alan Judge has had a magnificent season but he didn't have his best game at Loftus Road; although this was largely due to lack of service and an unfamiliar role.

Playing in the 'false nine' is not an easy task and limits bodies in the penalty area, especially as the Irishman is also Brentford's most creative player.

It didn't help that Judge had to contend with long balls played up to him, especially when he is at a disadvantage against QPR's taller defenders.

Maybe, with more support, and growing accustomed to the role Judge can play there, but I'd rather see the Irishman used where his strengths are.

Indeed, playing Sergi Canos in that role may have suited him and the team given his pace and he can latch onto the end of Judge's creativity.

Give John Swift a break

Harshly singled out: John Swift

It was sad to hear Brentford fans jeering John Swift as he was replaced by Sam Saunders with 15 minutes remaining.

The Chelsea loanee didn't have the greatest of games, and he would admit that himself, but he is still a young player learning his trade, playing on the left wing for the first time in his career.

What he tried didn't necessarily come off but to single him out for abuse was unfair when there were plenty of other players who didn't play to their standards.

To boo the 20-year-old, as he went off the pitch was unfair and will hardly improve his confidence.

At the end of the day, it is better for fans to save their booing, if they choose to do so, until the final whistle as it's a team game; not an individual one.

Pressure for Smith

Dean Smith makes a point

If a team loses 10 games out of 13, there is always going to be heat on the man responsible for picking the team, whether they're a head coach, senior coach or manager.

I made my feelings clear about the position Smith finds himself in last week and my opinion has not changed about him.

Recruitment has been the problem this season and, for all the debate over mathematical modelling etc, the profile of signing changed from one which saw raw young talent from the lower leagues move to Brentford to one which has seen a wealth of players join from across Europe.

The sad thing is for the Bees is they haven't worked out as the club would like and they know mistakes have been made.

It's good to see there is a move to look towards the previous profile of player that was preferred in recent seasons, although that is not to say the club should ignore foreign markets.

To me, Brentford undervalued knowledge of English football and culture, which is completely different to continental Europe as players have alluded to in previous interviews.

Time to stop the rot

Blues' Clayton Donaldson in action against Blackburn's Grant Hanley
Up next: Blackburn

Brentford are level on points with Blackburn, who they face next weekend. With Fulham losing to Bristol City and Rotherham staging a remarkable late comeback against Derby, which will feel as good as a win, the Bees are seven points above the relegation zone with the gap closing all the time.

Victory over Rovers will ease the pressure going into the international break, which must be much-needed now.

Blackburn, who sold Jordan Rhodes in January, have been inconsistent in recent weeks and were beaten by Leeds on Saturday.

Defeat will leave Bees fans facing an anxious two week break before the trip to Nottingham Forest.

With a chance to have a brief break, Brentford must show much more desire next weekend than they have in recent weeks to earn their time off.

If the Bees produce another performance like the second half, the Griffin Park atmosphere will become toxic.