IT is a bit of a surprise to discover Tony Godden could help Albion end their goalscoring duck.

The former West Brom custodian’s main job is to make sure Michel Kuipers or Graeme Smith are in prime condition to prevent the opposition finding the net.

But if Albion manage to score from a set-piece at Brentford today, there is every chance Godden will have played a part.

Centre half Tommy Elphick revealed: “The goalkeeping coach has come up with some set-plays which are very effective.

“He had a caretaker manager role at Rushden and obviously took that part of the game on board. He said he got between 17 and 19 goals in a season.

“We’ve got a free-kick which we haven’t actually been able to use yet, because we haven’t been in the right place.

“It is something that past managers, especially Dean Wilkins, have been very hot on.

“It’s a massive part of the game and if we can get ten goals from set-pieces they will be priceless.”

The aerially strong Elphick admits he should already be off the mark this season.

He headed a Dean Cox corner onto the roof of the net shortly after Andrew Whing’s decisive own goal against Walsall last Saturday.

It was a similar story at Swansea on Tuesday, as he missed the target with another free header from a Cox free-kick immediately after the Welshmen’s first goal of three.

Elphick said: “I have been working in training on actually getting the ball in the net, because I have been getting on the end of things but just not directing it right.

“I should have got us a point against Walsall and I had a good chance on Tuesday to equalise.

“If there are more goals throughout the side then it takes the pressure off the front boys.”

As much as Elphick would love to celebrate his 100th Albion appearance today with his fifth goal for the club, his primary role at Griffin Park will be keeping quiet the likes of Carl Cort and Steve Kabba.

Even with the much-improved run of form which staved off relegation at the end of last season, the Seagulls have only kept a clean sheet once in their last nine away games, at Colchester in April.

“I thought we were solid against Walsall,” said Elphick. “It was a very unfortunate goal and I don’t think they had more than two shots but we came up against a very good Swansea side on Tuesday.

“It was a bit of a footballing lesson. There were times when we looked comfortable and played some good stuff but then it broke down. I don’t think the understanding is quite there yet.

“We have released a lot of players and loads have come in.

“We are gelling well off the pitch but there is only so much you can do on the training ground.

“We are at Huddersfield on Tuesday, so it’s a pretty full-on start to the season.

“That is where the work is done, on the pitch.

“There is no experience like it, especially with a new side, and the more games we play the better we are going to get.”