Bent and Given Injuries

[Villanation]

Bent has averaged a goal every other game for Villa & Gabby 1 in 3.7.

Bent hasn't completed one season yet, Gabby has completed 4/5, Gabby spent the whole of last season out of position or injured, whilst Bent has been afforded the luxury of consistency by both Houllier and McLiesh in what he has to do in his work.........stick Bent out on the left wing and see how fast his goal ratio drops through the floor........Even so by the end of this season you'll be seeing a very different goal ratio from Darren Bent, hope I'm wrong because if Bent is keeping up that ratio then that would mean we are at least challenging to win games, somehow I doubt it.

You can no sooner compare stats on Gabby v Bent any more than you can judge them to be similar  players, both very different other than they are attacking players.

[TheSandman]

I'd be less concerned about Given if he wasn't passed fit for tonight funnily enough.

I think there is every chance that they might be forcing him to play even though he is not 100% and that might risk aggravating the injury and meaning he won't be fit for Everton. If he wasn't he'd have a week resting which would put him in a better position for the game.

What is worrying is that this groin injury is another injury from the one we were sweating on when we signed him.

[Villafirst]

I hate these international call ups - with our 'small' squad they are a nightmare! Thanks for squad depth Randy!

26 man first team squad. How just how big a squad do you want?

I want a squad full of quality. So you think the 'quality' is equal to the last couple seasons?? When you replace quality with mediocrity the performance levels drop which means you slide down the table - pain and simple!

[Karl Bridges]

Don't know if it's been mentioned but Hutton's not playing for Scotland due to a groin injury.

[Brend'Watkins]

Don't know if it's been mentioned but Hutton's not playing for Scotland due to a groin injury.

Even if Hutton was fit to play Herd should not be dropped to make way for him. 

I like the look of Herd.

[eamonn]

Bent has averaged a goal every other game for Villa & Gabby 1 in 3.7.

Bent hasn't completed one season yet, Gabby has completed 4/5, Gabby spent the whole of last season out of position or injured, whilst Bent has been afforded the luxury of consistency by both Houllier and McLiesh in what he has to do in his work.........stick Bent out on the left wing and see how fast his goal ratio drops through the floor........Even so by the end of this season you'll be seeing a very different goal ratio from Darren Bent, hope I'm wrong because if Bent is keeping up that ratio then that would mean we are at least challenging to win games, somehow I doubt it.

You can no sooner compare stats on Gabby v Bent any more than you can judge them to be similar  players, both very different other than they are attacking players.

Not a fan of Darren then?

[Surrey Villain]

What are they doing at Villa Park to have so many groin strains?  Gabby was out with one recently I think (not surprising perhaps) now Bent is sent home from the England camp and Given is struggling with the Republic.  It seems to be infectious because Hutton is out of tonight's Scotland match for the same reason and he only visited Bodymoor briefly for a medical and to sign a contract.

[spangley1812]

Don't know if it's been mentioned but Hutton's not playing for Scotland due to a groin injury.

Even if Hutton was fit to play Herd should not be dropped to make way for him. 

I like the look of Herd.

It would be risky playing Hutton as Saturday was his 1st game of the season and he maybe carrying an injury and Herd looked good v Wolves   

[Surrey Villain]

Given is taking goal kicks with no apparent difficulty.

[spangley1812]

Dunne picked up bad looking facial injury, maybe concussion as well

[saunders_heroes]

Dunne's been fantastic for Ireland today. Back to his best.

[spangley1812]

Another great save from Given

[olaftab]

Dunne being given lot of credit for the 0-0 draw by the pundits.

[olaftab]

Another great save from Given

Yes he is even good with his knees!

[supertom]

Given will turn out to be signing of the season. I'd put money on it.