Bent hits back at critics

[Rip Van We Go Again]

From sportinglife.com

Aston Villa newcomer Darren Bent has hit back at his detractors - including Stan Collymore - and claimed there is more to his game than scoring goals.

But Villa's £18million signing insists finding the net will always remain his number one target ahead of the home clash with Manchester City.

Former Villa striker Collymore recognises Bent's scoring prowess but claims his all-round game is "D-grade" and that the 26-year-old was "massively overpriced".

But Bent has faith in his ability after his move from Sunderland in midweek and is relishing his first start for his new club.

Bent said: "There's more to me than goals. People always have opinions.

"Stan Collymore might say something and someone else will say something else. The game is about opinions.

"If you are frontman what are you paid to do? Answer, it's to put the ball in the back of the net.

"If I played extravagantly well every week but never scored, people would be like 'what's he doing, what purpose is he serving?'

"You only win games by scoring goals. People say 'well your all-round game is all right' but who cares as long as the ball goes in the back of the net?"

Bent, who has already scored the winner for Sunderland against City this season, added: "People only remember people who score goals.

"If you do that and your team is winning, it doesn't really matter to be honest.

"I always remember my old coach saying to me 'if you score goals, you cover cracks.'

"It's true. You can't play well every game but it doesn't matter as long as you are affecting the game."

Bent has followed up his 25 goals last season with another 11 for the Black Cats during the current campaign but he is reluctant to set targets.

He said: "I never set targets. I just try to score as many goals as possible to be honest.

"If you set targets, you put yourself under pressure."

Bent admitted: "I'll probably get a few butterflies in my stomach because it is my debut and I want to do really well and win so badly.

"For all those reasons, I'll probably be a bit nervous.

"Being live on television (ESPN) will add to that. But it's a good thing and means you are ready for the game and ready to go."

[Breezeblock]

Darren old lad, if all you do is score goals then i'll be one happy bunny. And somehow I dont think i'll be alone.

[cdbearsfan]

Did he really say "brackets ESPN"? If so I hope they paid him.

[Mazrim]

Spot on Darren. You understand.
Goals are exclusively what we require from you.

The whole point of having a finisher is that the only person who should be touching it after them is the Goalie, picking it out of the net.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I've never seen just an out and out goalscorer play for the Villa (I started going around 1995).

Dwight Yorke not only scored goals, but was also a fantastic player.

[MonsXI]

Fair play Darren but ignore the haters and let your goals do the talking!

[willywombat]

I really dont remember a player coming in under quite so much pressure. I really hope that if he doesnt score for a couple of games he gets a bit of slack

[nodge]

Collymore's 40 today. God I feel old!

[Witton Warrior]

Score 12 goals before the end of the season and that will be fine. 12 x 1 - nil wins should see us safe and lifting the cup?

[Witton Warrior]

Score 12 goals before the end of the season and that will be fine. 12 x 1 - nil wins should see us safe and lifting the cup?

He's cup-tied isn't he?
Pillock!

[The Situation]

Score the winner today and for his celebration jump into the Trinity Road stand in the media area and go 'shhhh' all in front of those journos faces.

[Phil from the upper holte]

If he stood around on the half way line and then just joined in the attacks and scored I would be happy, Some I suppose would say he was lazy!

[The Man With A Stick]

I've never seen just an out and out goalscorer play for the Villa (I started going around 1995).

You were unfortunate to have missed out on John Fashanu by just one year.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I've never seen just an out and out goalscorer play for the Villa (I started going around 1995).

You were unfortunate to have missed out on John Fashanu by just one year.

Now now he scored 3 in 13 games for us He may have done ok if he hadn't got injured

[isamion]

Everytime I hear of John Fashanu, I think of this....