BENT BACKED TO BLOSSOM AS CHANCES GO BEGGING
...and Murray also goes missing
DARREN Bent missed a lastminute sitter as the battle of last season’s play-off losers somehow finished goalless.
The former England striker, transferred for more than £50 million over the course of his career, has scored just twice since sealing a permanent move to the i Pro 12 months ago and spent much of last season on the bench.
But having been handed a rare chance to impress by new Rams boss Nigel Pearson, the 32-year-old fluffed his lines by failing to connect with Craig Bryson’s pinpoint cross. Any touch would have left David Stockdale utterly helpless.
New Brighton striker Glenn Murray was also guilty of missing two golden opportunities in a match that saw 28 shots fail to yield a single goal.
“Darren’s been our best striker in pre-season,” said Pearson, taking charge of his first competitive game since leaving Leicester in May 2015. “And of course, he’ll be disappointed not to score.
“But I’m not disappointed. The reason Darren is so good is that he’ll continue to get into the right places for the entirety of the game.
“In games where two teams cancel each other out – like this one – you can easily stop doing that because you haven’t had the opportunities.
“It was a very sharp half chance. He had a lot to do. Yes, it could have won us the game, but he got there and, if he keeps getting there, he will win us games.”
Given the scarcity of new signings – Murray was the solitary fresh face on show – it would have been reasonable to expect two finely-honed operations.
What transpired was an exhibition of profligacy, albeit one owing much to the excellence of keepers Scott Carson and Stockdale – and last-ditch defending.
The hacking and slashing started early: Cyrus Christie crossing for Bent to blaze over amd Nick Blackman teeing up Ince for a shot that was smartly saved. Bent missed another, Bradley Johnson – jeered off after a woeful show out wide – scuffed wide and Lewis Dunk miscued a header.
For Brighton, far more incisive and dominant in the hour either side of half-time, Tomer Hemed had one blistering drive well saved, though Murray was undoubtedly the chief culprit.
Having failed to properly connect with Liam Rosenior’s fizzed low cross, the 32-year-old then took an age to control the excellent Steve Sidwell’s lobbed pass, offering Carson the chance to smother his goal-bound volley.
“Glenn will be a wonderful signing for us,” said Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who signed the former Seagull hitman on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.
“But what you have with Glenn is a player who didn’t make many starts last season. It takes time to find that sharpness. It was a little frustrating but I was delighted with his work for the team. The goals will come.”
Both sides’ preparations for the new campaign have been hampered by hovering predators. The Rams have rejected Burnley’s £7m bid for Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick, whilst Brighton have reportedly spurned Newcastle’s £11m offer for Anthony Knockaert.
Hughton says his French winger – dazzling in spells – is going nowhere. “You always get a feel from a player through the week and he’s been great,” said the former Newcastle boss, who will scour the market for a No.10 after seeing top target Alex Pritchard join Norwich.
“He’s a bubbly character anyway and I’ve seen absolutely no sign he’s been affected by it.”
Pearson, meanwhile, admitted that the Clarets have made a fresh bid for 24-year-old Hendrick but is prepared to play hardball with opposite number Sean Dyche.
“We have had bids in,” he said. “My stance is we always do what we can to keep our best players. If anybody does go, they go on our terms. I want us to be a success. I don’t want to help anybody else be a success.”