Patience key for Mason in bid for first-team role
NIGEL Clough says Mason Bennett is improving all the time but the young Derby County striker will have to be patient for his chances in the first team.
Bennett scored his first senior goal in the FA Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers and became the club's youngest-ever scorer.
The 16-year-old also struck twice in a friendly against Burton earlier this week, as did Nathan Tyson and Theo Robinson.
Clough has been impressed by the way Bennett has handled training and playing full-time after leaving school.
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"He is coming along nicely in terms of his development," said Clough.
"He is a little bit down the pecking order because of the strikers we have got available.
"We have got Conor Sammon, we have played Michael Jacobs up there, then we have Nathan Tyson and Theo Robinson on the bench and, hopefully, Jamie Ward on his way back from injury.
"So Mason is going to have to bide his time and be patient.
"Depending on what happens in January, he might find himself further up that pecking order."
All four of Bennett's appearances this season have been as a substitute.
Ward trained yesterday after playing for an hour in the friendly against Burton Albion.
He is working his way back to fitness following a three-month absence with hamstring trouble.
"Jamie has had no ill-effects from the Burton game, so far," said Clough.
"We will keep assessing him towards Saturday.
"We have to err on the side of caution with him because he has been out for so long.
"He played for an hour the other day and did absolutely everything in training on Wednesday morning.
"He cannot wait to get back and make up for the last three months.
"If he is not involved at the weekend, we will look to build him up to the Nottingham Forest game."
Derby have sold almost 1,000 of their allocation of 1,300 tickets for Saturday's Championship clash at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Rams have confirmed the date for their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park Stadium.
The tie will be played on Saturday, January 26, with a 3pm kick off.
Comments
by oldrammyisgod
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:57AM
“I quite like the 4-4-1-1 with ward or jacobs supporting sammon but we have to be careful not to leave ourselves short on strikers. Bennett does have potential and i can see a hughes situation with him too being fazed into the first team next year in part and certainly the year after. Re our other strikers, Theo for me is a very poor player who lacks a good first touch and reading of the game but has the jammy knack of being able to get the goals, some would say that merits his place? i'm not of that opinion and would happily see him go, i want the effort but want some skill to go with it and all the Theo Theo chanting from the faithful gets on my wick. Tyson is a more talented individual and for me hasn't been given a proper chance, i'd like to see him have a run of 6 or so starts to see what he can offer. If it amounts to nothing then fine let him go but he needs a proper chance first, the odd game and sub slots dont give any player a chance to shine. I personally feel this is the player Nige is up for getting rid of, for some reason he just doesn't figure in Nige's plans which is a shame. What do you lot think???”
by DBRAM
Friday, January 11 2013, 1:08AM
“The way he took his goal last Sat shows he can do it, and would rather see him given more opportunities off the bench than persist with the tried and just ok. We are over budget on wages so to see Tyson and or Theo go on loan or sold would be a positive step in the building process.”
by paul72
Thursday, January 10 2013, 8:10PM
“it wouldnt suprise me if both tyson and theo went in jan i think clough likes to play 4-4-1-1 and jacobs and ward cover one of the positions .theo for all is faults scores goals we could get aound 750k for him .”
by yor_kie
Thursday, January 10 2013, 12:31PM
“With the versatility of Ward, Jacobs and Bennett I think you could see either Robinson or Tyson depart.
Think the can still have a part to play when we need something different but I think those two haven't shown enough in the last month or so. They've had more limited opportunities this year but perhaps their attitude in training hasn't been up to scratch.
Sammon seems No.1 Ward and Jacobs have moved up to joint second. Perhaps Bennett will be given more opportunities in the next few weeks to see if he can make the step up like Hughes has, don't think there's much to lose giving the lad a chance.”
by Maiden_Ram
Thursday, January 10 2013, 9:57AM
“I think we're short on numbers as well but I have faith that Nigel knows what he's doing - as long as it's his choice to move somebody on.”
by wilko10
Thursday, January 10 2013, 9:46AM
“Unless we bring in better than we have then nobody should leave.”
by Maiden_Ram
Thursday, January 10 2013, 9:00AM
“"Depending on what happens in January, he might find himself further up that pecking order."
I wonder whic of the strikers is off in January then...”