TO BE FRANK, I MIGHT BAN DAD
MURRAY DESPERATE TO EXTEND HIS PERFECT 17-YEAR SURVIVAL RECORD
VETERAN Brighton striker Glenn Murray has never been relegated in a 17-year career – and he insists that’s not going to change.
The 35-year-old will lead the line for his club this evening in a vital clash against Newcastle at the Amex.
A win would see them take a big step towards safety but defeat will serve to heighten relegation fears.
The forward has spent six seasons at Brighton over two spells and has a deep connection with the place, making his home in the city.
But he insists avoiding the drop is something personal.
Murray said: “Of course I appreciate what it means to people here to stay up.
“But I’m not sure I feel any extra responsibility because of that. I want to do it for me and my team-mates, let alone the city.
“The boy inside you wants to score that winning goal which keeps us safe.
“And on top of that I’ve never been relegated in my career and I don’t want to do it now.” The nearest Murray has come to the dreaded drop was back in his first spell for Brighton in 2009.
“It was in League One and it was pretty close,” he said.
“I think Nicky Forster scored a goal to keep us up on the last day against Stockport.
“But I did my hernia that season and I felt helpless on the sidelines.
“This time at least I can try and help the team out.”
Ironically, the last time Brighton beat Newcastle, Murray didn’t know much about it, either.
He was part of the team which won 1-0 at St James’ Park in October but was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Argentinian defender Federico Fernandez.
“It was like I was on a stag do, walking around Newcastle Infirmary with my full kit on, so it was a bit strange,” he joked. “The physio told me the result, in fact he told me over and over again. It took a while to sink in! So it would be nice to beat them this time and remember it.”
That result was one of three 1-0 wins in a row for Brighton at a time when they looked destined for a top 10 finish.
But a poor run since has left them only one place above the drop zone and fighting Cardiff to stay up.
Inevitably, manager Chris Hughton has come in for stick after no goals and no wins in the last seven games.
But Murray is adamant Albion have the right man in charge.
“We have a lot of faith in him,” said the striker.
“He has brought us a long way over this three or four-year period and hopefully we can get a result against his old team and stay up.” DERBY boss Frank Lampard admits he toyed with banning his dad from watching today’s massive clash at Bristol City.
The two play-off contenders lock horns at Ashton Gate in a game with huge implications in the race to go up.
The Rams boss revealed his dad, Frank senior, had left the QPR game early to avoid traffic and missed both goals in a breathtaking 2-0 win.
Lampard (above) said: “That’s nothing new! My dad leaves early to get on the M1 from all of the games, so he’s missed quite a few goals this season.
“It’s more important he misses the traffic on the way home. I did think about telling him to stay away for the 90 minutes for this game!”
Lee Johnson believes Lampard will be Chelsea manager one day and the Bristol City boss said: “I see Frank having a long career. You think he’s destined to be the Chelsea manager one day. I can’t see any fault in the job he’s done at Derby.”
vThe Hawthorns: 3pm