Sam Baldock has not changed much since he first burst into the Football League a decade ago.

Not according to a former team-mate – and one-time Albion match-winner at Elland Road.

But the Seagulls forward has set himself a new benchmark, as Steve McClaren might say, in the past week.

And it is one which appeared to pass un-noticed as he helped put an end to the ex-England boss’s second stint in charge of Derby County.

With 11 league goals, Baldock is now enjoying his most prolific career in the Championship.

The Argus:

Sam Baldock scores against Derby

He reached that figure with the cool conversion of a one-on-one in the 3-0 win Derby which spelt the end for McClaren.

There were more important things to consider in the immediate aftermath of that match. Such as the quality of the team performance and what it meant to the promotion picture.

It may well have passed Baldock by too. He stopped counting his goals when he stopped scoring them – after joining the club two years ago.

But his previous best at this level was ten, with a relegated Bristol City side in 2012-13. He reached nine by the turn of the year in that season but added just one thereafter.

Similarly, he raced on to five in the Championship by November 5 after signing for West Ham in 2011-12 but he did not net again and ended the season on nine league goals, including four with MK Dons early in the campaign before making the switch to Upton Park.

His second-tier tallies with Albion have been three in 2014-15 and four last season.

A goal at Elland Road would take him to 12 in the league this term, some way short of his 24 for Bristol City in League One in 2013-14.

The Argus:

Baldock started out with MK Dons

That was the season which persuaded Albion to turn their long-held interest in him into a successful bid.

But that third-tier campaign remains the only time he has gone past 12 league goals in a career which started with MK Dons ten years ago last month, when he went on as substitute for Leon Knight in a draw with Mansfield.

So you will not find him setting any targets now. He just appreciates the fact he is in the side and hitting the net.

Baldock told The Argus: “There is no competition here, everyone is encouraging each other.

“There are a few targets knocking about among the front four. We have got a hell of a lot of league goals between us but I stopped setting targets when I came to this club and hit a really dry spell.

“My target is to be in the team and scoring goals.”

The style remains very much the same as it was when he was a teen hopeful according to former Albion midfielder Alan Navarro.

Back then, Navarro was pulling the strings for MK Dons from midfield.

He told The Argus: “I remember him being very professional as an 18 or 19-year-old.

“Everything ticked the right box. He always concentrated in training.

The Argus:

Baldock reached double figures in the Championship for Bristol City

“He scored goals but he was more than that. He was very quick. He worked very hard for the team.

“He was in and out of the side under Paul Ince but he played the majority of the games under Roberto di Matteo and he gave us such a good outlet with his pace.”

Navarro, who runs insurance company Viva Protect in his native Liverpool, keeps an eye on his former team-mate and his old club.

He said: “I’ve seen the last couple of Brighton games on TV and, to be honest, not much about Sam has changed.

“He’s not the biggest of lads but he puts himself about. He has always been that type of player who grafts.”

Navarro moved into insurance, initially for sportsmen and women, with the company who looked after him when a knee injury ended his own playing days while at Swindon.

Despite his two debut goals for the Robins against Albion, he is remembered in these parts for the screening role he played in midfield. It certainly was not as a goal-getter.

But one area where Baldock would love to emulate Navarro is in scoring a late winner at Leeds. The Scouser struck in added time to secure a 2-1 victory in 2011-12.

It was a goal which kicked off the Seagulls’ proud record of four wins from five visits to Leeds since returning to the Championship.

“Remember it? I’ve got to remember it!” he said. “It was my only goal for Brighton!

The Argus:

Alan Navarro scores the winner at Leeds five years ago

“I think I won the ball and gave it to Liam (Bridcutt) and then Vicente played a pass into me. I caught it really well.

“There was probably only a minute or two to go after that but it seemed a lot longer.

“It was great craic on the bus on the way back.

“Hopefully he can do the same.”

BALDOCK'S LEAGUE GOALS...

2008-09: 12 (MK Dons, L1).
2009-10: 5 (MK Dons, L1).
2010-11: 12 (MK Dons, L1).
2011-12: 9 (4 for MK Dons, L1; 5 for West Ham, Champ).
2012-13: 10 (Bristol City, Champ).
2013-14: 24 (Bristol City, L1).
2014-15: 3 (Albion, Champ).
2015-16: 4 (Albion, Champ).
2016-17: 11 (Albion, Champ).