With Brentford 19th in the Championship, Marinus Dijkhuizen was sacked as manager and replaced with Dean Smith.

The move was confirmed two months after the Dutchman’s departure, after an interim spell in charge for Lee Carsley.

It was a controversial appointment with the Walsall boss leaving his post at the League One side after much deliberation and some discussion on what fee for compensation were to be paid. 

After almost five years in the Midlands, a move to the capital was confirmed on November 30, 2015.

Having made the pay-offs the previous year, Smith would be tasked with saving the Bees’ season and pushing them towards the top six once more for another crack at promotion to the Premier League.

The appointment received considerable backing from the club’s fans - and the new manager bounce saw Smith unbeaten in his first three games, drawing twice.

The response was unanimous in support of the former Walsall boss who had taken the Saddlers into the League On play-offs the previous season.

Smith lost one of his first seven in charge before a run of 2 wins in 13, leaving the cub 18th in 43 points. 

A late charge towards the play-offs was mounted with one defeat in the final eight games meant the Bees ended the season in a respectable ninth place.

The following season the Bees finished in 10th after another solid season, but time was needed for Smith to undo the previous damaged done by Dijkhuizen and mould the side to how he wants it.

After two full seasons in charge, another 9th placed finish was recorded after a season-long flirt with the top six, even managing to be in and around the top two for a while.

The club had been on the decline before Smith arrived and so far this season the club have lost one of their opening eight matches and sit second in the division.

It has been a steady build at Griffin Park over the past two-and-a-half years since his appointment.

The initial acclaim to the move has been justified thus far with the Bees pushing for the Premier League. 

Time has been afforded to the 47-year-old to attempt the project and show by he has so far been the right man for the job.

Reactions have been justified, and it remains to be seen if they can break the barrier and make it into the top six once more, or even go one better.