Derby County 0, Albion 0
It is hazardous reading too much into results or performances on the opening day of the season.
They can be misleading until the table takes shape but there were compelling reasons at the iPro Stadium to believe Albion will mount a serious challenge for promotion again.
Derby, by common consent, are likely to be up there with them.
Tackling them early might turn out to be advantageous, with Nigel Pearson's reign still in its infancy.
Although the players are the same, it will take a while to implement his ideas and get his message across.
Albion, on the other hand, picking up where they left off last season, looked like a team who know exactly what they are doing under Chris Hughton.
They were the better, more cohesive unit and, with more clinical finishing, would have returned from the East Midlands with all three points rather than one.
Away draws should never be frowned upon in the Championship. Especially in the backyard of fellow contenders missing half of your first-choice spine and with a strike force yet to be established or finalised.
Injury and suspension deprived Hughton respectively of Connor Goldson at centre-half and Dale Stephens in the centre of midfield.
It speaks volumes for Bruno, switched from right-back, and Steve Sidwell that their absences were not obviously noticed.
Bruno combined competently with the outstanding Lewis Dunk against Darren Bent and then Bent and Chris Martin, when Pearson intoduced Albion's customary nemesis.
In the middle of the park, the equally experienced and dependable Sidwell, in tandem with the energetic driving force that is Beram Kayal (pictured below by Richard Parkes), had the edge on the heartbeat of a Derby line-up including Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick, like Stephens a transfer target for Burnley.
Further forward, Hughton plumped for two centre-forwards, continuing with Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed.
There was a bit more encouragement from their alliance than the evidence of the first time they were paired together, in the closing pre-season friendly against Lazio.
Hemed eventually gave way to Sam Baldock and, bearing in mind Hughton's intention to sign a number ten before the transfer window shuts after Norwich's hijacking of the Alex Pritchard deal, The Israeli and Murray are more likely to be competing against each other than playing with one another.
Hughton said: "It's not a formation I'd be scared to use. We've got Sam in there and we are looking to bring one in. Elvis Manu has had a good pre-season, even though he wasn't in the 18."
You need good options to cope with a gruelling, high-octane 46-game campaign in the Championship, a plan C and D as well as A and B.
Hughton will have that with another centre-half as well by August 31, as long as Stephens, Dunk and Newcastle target Anthony Knockaert are retained.
Adding Goldson, Stephens and another striker to the Derby mix will change the complexion of the department where Albion were weaker than their hosts, on the bench.
This does not take account either of the looming returns to contention of long-term injury victims Uwe Huenemeier and Solly March, both of whom have resumed training.
Put that lot together and there will be a formidable feel to the group.
Pearson can point to the losses of Andreas Weimann (knee) and Craig Forsyth, whose partner went into labour, leaving third-choice Chris Baird at left-back to cope with Anthony Knockaert as Marcus Olsson was also ruled out by concussion.
With Jiri Skalak causing moments of discomfort to Cyrus Christie, there was more menace from Albion in the final third.
Article continues after...[h=3]More Articles[/h]
Murray and Hemed between them had opportunities which, on another day, would have yielded a convincing victory.
Murray did not quite connect properly with one blocked shot, went close with a header onto the roof of the net and could not capitalise on the cleanest opening of the contest when Sidwell's cross found him with time and space to control the ball with his chest.
It would not quite sit down for him and his left-foot drive was blocked by Jason Shackell.
Hemed, meanwhile, tested Scott Carson from distance straight after the interval before Murray set him up for an angled effort which Christie cleared off the line.
Hughton said: "I thought I got a committed performance from a team that didn't want to lose. That can be as important as going and winning the game.
"We are playing at Derby. They've had huge investment and have got real quality. We had some really good glimpses and some really good performances.
"A couple of key players are missing. Bruno's having to play in the centre so I'm delighted with the attitude. It was a hot afternoon. You are never quite sure what you are going to get."
What he got was a display which suggested that, far from being burdened by last season's near-miss, his players are determined to go one better.
Original article
It is hazardous reading too much into results or performances on the opening day of the season.
They can be misleading until the table takes shape but there were compelling reasons at the iPro Stadium to believe Albion will mount a serious challenge for promotion again.
Derby, by common consent, are likely to be up there with them.
Tackling them early might turn out to be advantageous, with Nigel Pearson's reign still in its infancy.
Although the players are the same, it will take a while to implement his ideas and get his message across.
Albion, on the other hand, picking up where they left off last season, looked like a team who know exactly what they are doing under Chris Hughton.
They were the better, more cohesive unit and, with more clinical finishing, would have returned from the East Midlands with all three points rather than one.
Away draws should never be frowned upon in the Championship. Especially in the backyard of fellow contenders missing half of your first-choice spine and with a strike force yet to be established or finalised.
Injury and suspension deprived Hughton respectively of Connor Goldson at centre-half and Dale Stephens in the centre of midfield.
It speaks volumes for Bruno, switched from right-back, and Steve Sidwell that their absences were not obviously noticed.
Bruno combined competently with the outstanding Lewis Dunk against Darren Bent and then Bent and Chris Martin, when Pearson intoduced Albion's customary nemesis.
In the middle of the park, the equally experienced and dependable Sidwell, in tandem with the energetic driving force that is Beram Kayal (pictured below by Richard Parkes), had the edge on the heartbeat of a Derby line-up including Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick, like Stephens a transfer target for Burnley.
There was a bit more encouragement from their alliance than the evidence of the first time they were paired together, in the closing pre-season friendly against Lazio.
Hemed eventually gave way to Sam Baldock and, bearing in mind Hughton's intention to sign a number ten before the transfer window shuts after Norwich's hijacking of the Alex Pritchard deal, The Israeli and Murray are more likely to be competing against each other than playing with one another.
Hughton said: "It's not a formation I'd be scared to use. We've got Sam in there and we are looking to bring one in. Elvis Manu has had a good pre-season, even though he wasn't in the 18."
You need good options to cope with a gruelling, high-octane 46-game campaign in the Championship, a plan C and D as well as A and B.
Hughton will have that with another centre-half as well by August 31, as long as Stephens, Dunk and Newcastle target Anthony Knockaert are retained.
Adding Goldson, Stephens and another striker to the Derby mix will change the complexion of the department where Albion were weaker than their hosts, on the bench.
This does not take account either of the looming returns to contention of long-term injury victims Uwe Huenemeier and Solly March, both of whom have resumed training.
Put that lot together and there will be a formidable feel to the group.
Pearson can point to the losses of Andreas Weimann (knee) and Craig Forsyth, whose partner went into labour, leaving third-choice Chris Baird at left-back to cope with Anthony Knockaert as Marcus Olsson was also ruled out by concussion.
- Stephens a minor doubt for Albion
- Sidwell wants to carry on competing with Albion's 'top players'
- Norwood poised for debut as Albion boss vows to ring the changes
- Albion Analysis: Hughton's team look the part in opening day deadlock
- Boss confident the goals will flow for Albion striker
With Jiri Skalak causing moments of discomfort to Cyrus Christie, there was more menace from Albion in the final third.
Article continues after...[h=3]More Articles[/h]
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[h=5]Stephens a minor doubt for Albion[/h]
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[h=5]Sidwell wants to carry on competing with Albion's 'top players'[/h]
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[h=5]Norwood poised for debut as Albion boss vows to ring the changes[/h]
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[h=5]Boss confident the goals will flow for Albion striker[/h]
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[h=5]Boss pleased with Sidwell - as midfield competition hots up[/h]
Murray and Hemed between them had opportunities which, on another day, would have yielded a convincing victory.
Murray did not quite connect properly with one blocked shot, went close with a header onto the roof of the net and could not capitalise on the cleanest opening of the contest when Sidwell's cross found him with time and space to control the ball with his chest.
It would not quite sit down for him and his left-foot drive was blocked by Jason Shackell.
Hemed, meanwhile, tested Scott Carson from distance straight after the interval before Murray set him up for an angled effort which Christie cleared off the line.
Hughton said: "I thought I got a committed performance from a team that didn't want to lose. That can be as important as going and winning the game.
"We are playing at Derby. They've had huge investment and have got real quality. We had some really good glimpses and some really good performances.
"A couple of key players are missing. Bruno's having to play in the centre so I'm delighted with the attitude. It was a hot afternoon. You are never quite sure what you are going to get."
What he got was a display which suggested that, far from being burdened by last season's near-miss, his players are determined to go one better.
Original article