Curbishley backs Bent
Alan Curbishley has backed Charlton striker Darren Bent to soon find his scoring touch again.
After a blistering start to his first season in the top flight, the Addicks frontman has now scored only once in the last six appearances, and not in the league since October 1.
Curbishley, though, maintained he still had plenty of confidence in his summer £2.5m (€3.6m) signing from Ipswich as Charlton prepared for tonight’s Carling Cup tie with Blackburn at The Valley.
“I don’t think he is in a rut – he has just had a bad time of it,” said Curbishley of the nine-goal 21-year-old England squad man.
“He was ill, then took a knock and has not quite been right for us for about a month. I have had a decent chat with him about it and he is looking quite sharp again, and aggressive again – but has now got to go out there and do it on the pitch.
“It is another opportunity for him to bounce back.”
Charlton have never been beyond the fourth round of the League Cup but would appear to have the make up for a strong challenge in the competition.
“It can depend on the draw, you hope to stay clear of the big sides, and if you do then you may have a good run in this cup,” said Curbishley.
“But we have got to get past Blackburn and see where it takes us. Our fans are desperate, probably more than me, for a cup run.
“I don’t take it lightly and have always fielded as strong a side as I could, and with the run we are in at the moment, the best XI are going out there again.”
The Addicks currently find themselves in a mini slump, having now lost four Barclays Premiership matches in succession to continue their slide down from second place to mid-table.
It had all looked so different just a month ago, when Charlton were celebrating victory over holders Chelsea in the last round after a penalty shoot-out at Stamford Bridge.
Curbishley has since tinkered with his team selection in the wake of what was a first away defeat of the season, losing 4-1 at Ewood Park just before the international break,
However the changes – which included leaving midfielder Danny Murphy on the bench and dropping winger Dennis Rommedahl altogether – have failed to have the desired effect, with Charlton losing again, at Aston Villa, on Saturday.
It is an alarming loss of form Curbishley knows he must arrest quickly.
“I can’t have the last two away performances, I can’t,” the Charlton manager insisted. “Since the Blackburn game, there have been five changes to the team, and there may well be again.”
Curbishley added: “Part and parcel of having a squad strong enough is no-one feels safe. No matter what you have paid for them – it does not matter if it has been your record signing Jason Euell or a big signing like Danny Murphy – it is the performances which count. There is no sentiment in it.
“They know they have not done themselves justice and there is an opportunity in the next four days to bounce right back – and that is what we have to hope they do.”
