Penalty generosity not Bruce’s script

Sep 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Bruce hailed Darren Bent for rescuing shaky Sunderland against Wolves – before castigating the in-form England forward for surrendering his penalty duties to give Kenwyne Jones a goal.

Bruce was a relieved man after an out-of-sorts Black Cats maintained their place in the top 10 of the Premier League with a breathless 5-2 victory over Mick McCarthy’s energetic side courtesy of goals from Bent, Kenwyne Jones and defender Michael Turner.

Although the Sunderland boss admitted his side’s defending continues to give him sleepless nights, he was ecstatic with the cutting edge provided by record signing Bent and strike partner Jones.

However, he was not happy with the affable Bent’s decision to hand Jones the spot kick which referee Lee Mason awarded early in the second half for Christophe Berra’s clumsy trip.

Having already scored from the spot early in the game, Bent gave his strike partner the chance to score because he felt his all-round performance deserved a goal.

It was a nice example of the kind of team spirit which exists between the two forwards – but it cut little ice with Bruce, who felt that his striker should have been more ruthless.

“I didn’t know what had happened. I have this stupid superstition that I don’t watch penalties so I didn’t know,” he said. “But that won’t happen again. That is the mentality we have to change, we don’t just throw the ball to somebody else

because he wants to score a goal. That is something you do on a pitch with your mates, not in the Premier League. Bent is one of the best penalty takers in the country, so I can promise you that will not be happening again.