Bent tipped to bounce back

Black Cats striker expected to put penalty miss behind him

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 9th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bent tipped to bounce back

Bent: Failed from the spot

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Sunderland's Andy Reid and Fraizer Campbell believe Darren Bent will not dwell too long on his weekend penalty miss.

The in-form frontman was awarded a glorious opportunity to level matters against his former club Tottenham on Saturday when he was felled by Heurelho Gomes.

However, he saw his spot kick beaten away by the Brazilian shot-stopper and the Black Cats would eventually go on to lose the game 2-0.

Bent was understandably frustrated come the final whistle at White Hart Lane, but can comfort himself with the fact that he has been one of Sunderland's star men this term.

He has also forced his way back into the England fold ahead of Saturday's glamour friendly with Brazil, and his team-mates at the Stadium of Light expect the former Ipswich and Charlton man to head off on international duty in buoyant mood.

"Darren will be the same as he always is," Reid told the Northern Echo.

"You don't have to worry about that.

"He'll be desperate to score goals in the next game, but he's desperate to score in every game he plays, that's why he's one of the best strikers in the Premier League.

Luck

"There'll be no need to lift him or anything like that. He's had a great start to the season, and missing one penalty does not change a thing.

"He'll be feeling as though he wants to put it right, but anybody can miss a penalty. There's no blame attached to Darren at all."

Campbell, Bent's strike partner, added: "Nine times out of ten, Darren will score that.

"He bangs them in left, right and centre in training, but you can't score all the time. His penalty taking record in matches is brilliant, but anyone in the world can miss a penalty every now and then.

"It was just one of those things and one of those days.

"We needed a bit of luck, but didn't get it. Things were stacked against us, and the penalty miss sums that up.

"We threw a lot of things at their keeper but he just seemed to save everything that came his way. He denied us the chance to pull the game back level, and the penalty save stopped the momentum we were building."

Attitude

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has expressed his delight at Bent being named in Fabio Capello's latest plans.

He told the club's official website: "Darren is a top lad with an immaculate work-rate on and off the pitch and it's a testament to his record and attitude that Mr Capello has decided to add him to the squad.

"If you look at the number and type of goals he's scored this season, it shows what a well-rounded player he is.

"When we first signed him, I was amazed at his natural ability in front of goal and said to myself 'this lad's going to be a top player for this club, that's for sure'.

"The fact he's kept going after not making other squads shows the type of lad he is - I'm absolutely over the moon for him."