Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Ad@m on October 01, 2012, 07:12:31 AM
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Unlike journalists to try to stir things up - I don't see anything in this article to justify the headline.
From Auntie
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has denied he has any problem with Darren Bent, despite dropping the striker for the 1-1 draw with West Brom.
Bent started the game on the bench, but came on to equalise Shane Long's goal.
"I just thought for this given game this was the right team," Lambert said. "I need everybody, the whole 26 lads, to perform."
Bent, who had started all of Villa's previous Premier League games this season, got his 150th league goal.
He started the season as Villa skipper, but was replaced by Ron Vlaar before the game against Swansea on 15 September.
But Lambert denied any rift with the England forward.
"I don't think Darren Bent has got anything to prove to me or the outside world, everybody knows he's a proven goalscorer," said Lambert.
The 28-year-old forward admitted it "had been a difficult couple of weeks, losing the captaincy first off then finding out I wasn't playing today".
He added: "Obviously it would have been nice to play from the start but I managed to score the goal to get a point.
"The start of the season's been up and down. Today we showed signs that we are heading in the right direction and we've all got faith in the manager."
Villa have won only once in the league this season, but beat Manchester City in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. And Lambert, who named eight of the that team against West Brom, said he was content with a point.
"Today was a big point for us," Lambert said. "I'm really happy we kept on going. It's easy to let your heads go down when you go a goal down in a derby game, but I have to give the team so much credit for bouncing back.
"I thought we were unlucky not go into half-time not winning anyway but sometimes if you can't win, make sure you don't lose it.
"It's fairly difficult to dominate a game for 90 minutes but the crowd played their part and I've nothing but praise for the team. They were excellent."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19780848 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19780848)
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Something about nothing, Bent is not a captain, he is a goal scorer but he has to realise he'll play when he's playing well and if he's not playing well he'll be on the bench
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Bent knows his role, I wouldn't believe for a second that he's fallen out with Lambert. The only thing that make me stop and think is how pissed off and unmotivated he looked during the warm-up yesterday.
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The only thing i noticed after he scored he seemed to be heading in Lamberts direction until he was stopped, by Holman.
I honestly think if the right offer comes in for him in January he will be gone.
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He'll be gone in to the Dippers in Jan I reckon. Hope I'm wrong.
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Well I hope there isn't a fall out, we need Darren Bent and there is no doubt about that.
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It was right to give the front 2 the start after the City game. Unfortunately Gabby did not get into any scoring positions and Benteke had a tough time in front of goal, so Bent was needed, and showed why he is so valuable. I would think Gabby and Bent will start next week now and Benteke will be super sub.
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I will say that the only mistake Lambert has made is making Bent captain and then stripping him of it, that probably made him feel undermined.
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I know there is another thread for this but I am fed up with the media trying to make us look rubbish/idiots/whatever. I'm bored of the Martin O'Neil comparisons further stirred up by Dwight Yorke yesterday. I'm bored of the 2 home wins in 15 or whatever and other statistics based on 2012 rather than 2012/13 season. Yesterday both Gabby and Bent were criticised for lack of goals over the last year but no mention was made of injuries.
Anyway - I hope this story is nothing. Lambert seems to pick on form and I'd be surprised if Bent doesn't start the next game with Benteke making way.
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Gabby and Benteke had a great understanding against Man City and deserved a chance to start. Bent has to take it on the chin, however, he's a top player and I don't think he'll be benched very often. When he is, he should take it in good grace.
I'm pleased he's not happy to be on the bench. No decent player should.
He answered in the best way, the only way.
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Bent knows his role, I wouldn't believe for a second that he's fallen out with Lambert. The only thing that make me stop and think is how pissed off and unmotivated he looked during the warm-up yesterday.
Agreed although not half as pissed off as Shay Given looked.
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Can't even rotate a player without the media drumming something up. If Lambo wanted to light a fire under Bent, it looks like he has from his reaction to scoring. & we need a fired up Bent if we're to win some games this season.
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Far too soon to say there's any problem there based on one game where he didn't start. I expect Bent to start against Spurs and be the main striker this season, with Gabby and Benteke rotating as his partner.
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What a load of rubbish. He started with the two strikers who'd contributed to the teams win over the champions in the previous game. Benteke and Gabby would have the right to be more pissed off if they were dropped.
Nothing to see here. Bent will stay and score many goals for us this season and seasons to come.
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I like the way no one seems to guaranteed a starting place. You need to work your socks off to stay in the team, something which Bent sometimes doesn't do.
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He's not going anywhere.
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SAF has rested Van Persie hasn't he? there was no talk of panic and fall out then was there, fucking bollocks
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He's absolutely, definitely, exclusively moving every transfer window so this story comes as no surprise.
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he won't move in my opinion, no-one will offer what we would want, we'd want at least £18m in my opinion
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Liverpool couldn't afford him anyway, even if he did want out.
Nothing to see here, move on.
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Nothing to see here- bent will start at spurs and get his fair share of goals- after the city win gabby and benteke deserved to start but benteke probably isn't the finished article yet and bents finishing warrants his place.
He will know he has to perform well to stay in the team as applies to everyone and that's how it should be- no favourites now unlike the mon era when players could keep their place no matter how bad they played.
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Keep playing well and keep scoring goals will give Lambert no other option than to play him. It's that simple and I'm sure Darren knows the situation.
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Keep playing well and keep scoring goals will give Lambert no other option than to play him. It's that simple and I'm sure Darren knows the situation.
This. 2 goals in his last 2 games, he's doing fine!
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I'd have started with Benteke and Gabby yesterday after the midweek win. I do think Bent maybe should have come on a little earlier than he did though.
Regarding Benteke, to me it seems he needs a goal to get himself in the game, he was trying too hard at times yesterday. He'll be ok though but it might be next season when he clicks.
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Non story. Next please.
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You have to laugh the way the headlines started with "Lambert Denies Bent Rift" and then moved on to "Bent's Brilliance Shows Folly of Lambert Rift"!
Just goes to show that conclusions will be drawn whatever you say.
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I'd have started with Benteke and Gabby yesterday after the midweek win. I do think Bent maybe should have come on a little earlier than he did though.
Regarding Benteke, to me it seems he needs a goal to get himself in the game, he was trying too hard at times yesterday. He'll be ok though but it might be next season when he clicks.
Once again words of wisdom, clampy!
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I actually think that in years to come - not this season, or even next, but after that - Bent's role may well become that of the super-sub, in the Solskjaer mould. Poacher strikers have always been useful like this for a couple of reasons: the game is a little more stretched, so the half-chances that aren't there from the start might appear if the poacher is coming on fresher than the opposition and, like Solskjaer did, the poacher can spend most of the time on the bench analysing the game in front of him, so as to exploit weaknesses the opposition weren't prepared for.
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Telegraph has run a similar sort of shit stirring trouble story
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Just last week Lambert came out and said that he'd not pick on price tag or reputation, and this is what he did yesterday. Bent looked perfectly relaxed on the bench, and his reaction to scoring tells you everything you needed to know, he was hungry for a goal. Competition is positive, it means we don't just have a first 11, for the first time in several seasons, and that nobody can afford to coast through games.
Bent's an adult and I'm sure he understands why he was left out. It suprised me slightly as you'd think that Gabby or Benteke would be more useful as impact player late on with their pace/strength, but we got a point which was the least we deserved.
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3 games as captain = zero goals
3 games as not captain = 2 goals
You work it out Darren!
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Darren should know how this manager works. After all he dropped Grant Holt a few times last season. He made the right decision this match
but both Agbonlahor and Benteke didnt over impress. Against Spurs it will be Bent and Agbonlahor.
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I thought Agbonlahor was crap yesterday as well
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I get the feeling that Bent is the kind of player who gets out of form and then just *waits* for things to go well for him. We don't have time for that.
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3 in 7 so far this season means i'd be starting with him. Maybe try him with Benteke and then we have the option to bring Gabby on for the last half hour or so.
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The only thing i noticed after he scored he seemed to be heading in Lamberts direction until he was stopped, by Holman.
I honestly think if the right offer comes in for him in January he will be gone.
And in Berlin in 81 Morley ran to the bench flicking v's at Saunders. Means feck all.
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The rift story was so predictable. After Wednesday it was apparent that Bent might miss out.
I love the way he's building a really competitive squad. He's shown with the Given and Bent decisions that everyone will have to fight for a place on merit. TSM, Houllier and MON all had their favourites.
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I think Bent and Gabby should get a go for the next two away games. I like Benteke but he's going to need time. Gabby needs games.
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I thought Agbonlahor was crap yesterday as well
WBA defended deep and when teams do that Agbonlahor is not much use to the team.
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Bent will start against Spurs there's no problem.
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Thought we missed Bent in the first half as we put some good balls into the box but had noone in there to get on the end of them. When Bent came on, I was surprised that he kept pulling into wide areas, but thought he did well. I would definitely go with Bent and Gabby against Spurs.
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Not sure he'll be here next season tbh, despite the goals I don't think he's Lambert's type of forward, Gabby and Benteke are imo so when Bruno the Belgain gets into a bit of form again I think we could see that combination and Bent on the bench again.
How long is left on his contract?
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Signed a four and a half year deal. So just under three years left I suppose.
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The media trying to generate a story if you ask me. Lambert also seems to like to use all his squad, and adjust it according to the opposition. There's a difference between rotation or tactical changes and being dropped, and I'd like to think this is why Bent was on the bench. I hope this applies to Weimann too who looked our most lively forward in the first few games, was very unlucky not to have at least two goals, but is now assumed by some to be 4th in the pecking order. He deserves more chances.
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So contract up in summer 2015 then? As we've seen with our players in the last few seasons, 2 years is usually when things get twitchy if a player dosen't want to sign a new deal. I'm not convinced Bent would if we offered him a new deal in the next 6 months.
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There's some similar bollocks in today's grauniad about 'Lambert getting it wrong with Bent'
So a manager decides not to play a non-scoring 'goals only' striker, said striker comes off the bench suitably piqued and scores.
It looks to me like Lambert got it right.
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I really do believe that Paul Lambert knows what he is doing and is very good at it. Bent was totally invisible and silent as captain and did not merit the role. PL saw this and rectified it immediately. One thing which is already crystal clear about our manager is that he does not mess about, he does what needs to be done sooner rather than later.
When he came on yesterday off the bench there was far more energy and enthusiasm for the game from Bent than has been seen for a long time. No team can afford the luxury of players living in comfort zones and two of our worst offenders in this respect have been Bent and Given. If Bent acts the goat and gives the manager grief, ship him out. Team spirit and teamwork are far more important than bruised egos.
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If pissed off Bent scores goals, then I'd rather that version be around than disinterested Bent. Same trick worked for Pardew and Ba at Newcastle, and that's called a master stroke by some in the media.
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Liverpool fan at work was trying to wind me up about this today. Perhaps everyone was taking bets on whether they could get me to twat them.
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Darren Bent has expressed his disappointment with Paul Lambert, the Aston Villa manager, for dropping him without offering any explanation to complete what the striker described as a "crappy couple of weeks" at the club. Bent came off the bench to equalise in the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday but he was visibly upset after the final whistle and made no attempt to conceal his frustration at losing the captaincy and his starting place in the space of a fortnight.
The 28-year-old England forward, who was relieved of the responsibility of leading the team when Villa beat Swansea two weeks earlier, was particularly aggrieved with the manner in which he discovered that he was being left out for the Albion fixture. Instead of being pulled to one side beforehand and given an explanation for the decision – an unwritten rule for managers to apply when dropping a player and in particular a senior member of the squad – the first Bent knew he was not in the starting XI was when Lambert read out the team.
Gabriel Agbonlahor, who scored twice in the 4-2 victory over Manchester City in the League Cup last Tuesday, and Christian Benteke were given the nod up front, which was not something that Bent, the club's record signing, had expected after getting his first Premier League goal of the season, at Southampton the previous weekend.
"I felt a bit disappointed that I didn't start the game," Bent said. "It's always nice to come on and score a goal in any circumstances, especially in the derby. But it's been a crappy couple of weeks for me, finding out I was no longer captain before the [Swansea] game. And here, again, to find out before the game that I wasn't playing. It was disappointing.
"I can't remember the last time [I've been left out of a side]. I only found out when the gaffer read the team sheet out. It's frustrating and disappointing. All I can do is keep coming on and scoring goals, and take it from there. My confidence is back after getting the goal against Southampton. That was a massive boost. I took a knock [on Sunday], but at the same time I tried to get back on to the pitch and work as hard as I could for the team to try to get them back into the game."
Asked what the manager said about why he was not playing, Bent replied: "Nothing. I've not spoke to him at all about why he left me out. We'll probably speak next week." Bent was emotional after he scored, although he denied that he was about to say something to Lambert when he set off in the direction of the dugout before being mobbed by team-mates.
"No, not really," he said. "You're always frustrated when you're not playing games. And the way I found out that I wasn't playing … but I wanted to go to the family and give them a wave. Then go from there really."
Although Bent scored against Tranmere in the earlier round of the League Cup and Southampton in the Premier League, he has looked a little off the pace and it was put to him that Lambert may have wanted to give him a "kick up the backside" to get the best out of him.
"Yes, maybe," Bent said. "Strikers are always judged on scoring goals. After getting the one last week, I thought that would build me up for today but it just wasn't to be."
If there was a small consolation for Bent, it was that Roy Hodgson, the England manager, was still in the stadium when the striker crashed home his goal, in the 80th minute, with only his third touch of the ball after replacing Benteke.
Bent has not played for England since last November and after seeing his hopes of featuring at Euro 2012 dashed by injury, suffered further disappointment when he was omitted from the squad for the first two World Cup qualifiers. "It's not been a great period for me," Bent said. "But I didn't know Roy Hodgson was there until someone told me after the game. If he was there then hopefully that goal will give me a boost and maybe I'll be in his plans."
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I'm pleased he was upset about not starting, he'll probably start against Spurs and hopefully he'll do well and score again.
Why, just because the manager decides to leave him on the bench is there a problem all of a sudden?
If Rooney, Lampard, Torres, Drogba and other sides can leave their players on the bench then why can't we? I think Lambert's thinking was pretty obvious, Gabby scored twice midweek and deserved to start, and I think against Smethwick we needed Benteke's physical presence, particularly against Olsen.
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I think this will soon blow over. Bent should understand that having scored 4 at the home of the champions, lambert wanted to go with the guys in form. I expect bent to start and score v spurs (even tho we may well lose) and this will soon be forgotten. Either footballers are a bit precious these days, or journalists over hype things. Or both
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I am glad Darren cares. Good for him.
Did Lambert get it wrong? I dont know. I would have played Gabby/Weimann. So likely pised off Bent & Benteke :)
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Bent to speak to Lambert about omission
By PA
Updated Tuesday, 2nd October 2012
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Aston Villa striker Darren Bent expects to hold talks this week with manager Paul Lambert after being left out of the starting line-up for Sunday's home clash with West Brom.
The England international came off the bench to salvage a 1-1 draw with an 80th-minute equaliser after Shane Long had given the Baggies a 51st-minute lead. But Bent admitted being left out of Lambert's first XI was the climax to an unhappy fortnight.
He was not included by England boss Roy Hodgson in the squad for last month's World Cup qualifiers and was removed as Villa captain by Lambert. He said: "It's been a crappy couple of weeks, finding out I was no longer captain before the game (against Swansea). Then to find out when I got here (for West Brom) that I wasn't playing - it was disappointing."
He added: "But at the same time, the lads played well and over the weeks we have been slowly getting better and better. I can't remember the last time I was left out. I only found out when the gaffer read the team sheet out. I didn't know. It is frustrating and disappointing.
"All I can keep doing is what I did against West Brom - to come on and try to notch goals and go from there."
Asked what Lambert had said about leaving him out, Bent replied: "Nothing. I've not spoken to the manager at all about why he left me out.
"I'm sure we'll probably speak next week. You are always frustrated when you are not playing games, and the way I found out I wasn't playing."
Bent acknowledged being dropped could have been a kick up the backside.
He said: "Maybe. Strikers are always judged on scoring goals and, getting the one against Southampton last week, I thought I could build on that. But it just wasn't meant to be.
"Hopefully I'll score more goals now. I'm always a confident character and, if I get the chance, I'll score the goals."
Source: PA
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He'll start on Sunday,this'll blow over.
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I think Lambert has got this right, and is sending out the right messages to all the players. If it was me, I'd drop Vlaar next match. He was at fault for the West Brom goal, and was crap against Southampton, so before the "Ooh ah" chants go to his head, I'd let him know he needs to improve.
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The problem with dropping Vlaar (and he has been questionable to say the least, the last two games) is who do we play in his place?
Baker plus Clark makes a very young CB pairing.
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Nobody should be happy to be left out, but if Bent thinks he has an automatic right to starting place, even when not in the best of form, then fuck him off to the reserves and sell him. If you think like that you have to be Zlatan to get away with it.
As for the Graun comments: "It should also be said that, on the basis of how Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke played up front on Sunday, it was the wrong decision."
I'm not sure what Stuart James' weird recent agenda has been against us, but even though Gabby and Benteke didn't play particularly well Bent's substitute appearance doesn't mean that he would have played any better. Coming off the bench is very different to starting the game.
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Lambert's only mistake was not speaking and explaining the reasons why he no longer wanted Bent as captain. He should have done it. It would have been respectful to any club captain.
As for not playing on Sunday, like all players, Bent must learn that the team will change based on tactics, not reputations.
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He'll start on Sunday,this'll blow over.
There's nothing to blow over.
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The article headline says he's going to speak to Paul but the story says something very different
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If i was PL then after reading some of that crap i would drop him again for Spurs and tell him that if he critisises agin he will rot in the reserves
Fucking jumped up prima donnas do my head right in - whoever they are or play for
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his tweet from James Nursey made me smile
@JamesNursey: Having interviewed Bent post-match, he's not happy. But it's Lambert's style to keep lads on toes & name side 2 hours b4 game like O'Neil
;D
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The annoying thing is that if he now plays Bent next game like he probably would have regardless of these stories the line will be
'Lambert realises mistake' or 'Lambert bows to Bent demands'
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If true then the guy is a jumped up prick! Who the fuck does he think he is shouting off he's too good to be dropped or have the captains arm band taken off him. Drogba had time on the bench, David Villa had time on the bench, Rooney had time on the bench...you're not half the player they are and you were only on the pissing subs bench for 60 fucking minutes and you start whining.
Get on with your job Darren or piss off.
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He's making himself look a bit of a tit to be honest
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On the way to the game on Sunday me and my dad were saying that hopefully Lambert will stick with Gabby and Benteke after how well they played at Man City and having Bent on the bench to come on if we were in trouble was a great option. As we all know this is what happened and I'm shocked at the amount of press coverage over it to be honest. If we'd have started with Bent then no doubt the media would now be saying that we were stupid to break up the succesful partnership from the cup win, fucking wankers the lot of them... Its not like its a slow news week, just fill the blank sections with more Ryder Cup or John Terry stories ffs.
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On the way to the game on Sunday me and my dad were saying that hopefully Lambert will stick with Gabby and Benteke after how well they played at Man City and having Bent on the bench to come on if we were in trouble was a great option. As we all know this is what happened and I'm shocked at the amount of press coverage over it to be honest. If we'd have started with Bent then no doubt the media would now be saying that we were stupid to break up the succesful partnership from the cup win, fucking wankers the lot of them... Its not like its a slow news week, just fill the blank sections with more Ryder Cup or John Terry stories ffs.
That was down to Bent though.He clearly expressed that he was unhappy about being dropped and being stripped of the captaincy in his posmatch interview.If he'd have come out with theusual " it's a team game blah blah blah" there would be no story. Maybe it's what he wanted.It's been much worse for Given and he hasn't said a word about being dropped
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The annoying thing is that if he now plays Bent next game like he probably would have regardless of these stories the line will be
'Lambert realises mistake' or 'Lambert bows to Bent demands'
or if he scores against Spurs, it won't be Lambert justified in Bent benching. There's no win.
I want players who understand that this is a squad game now, and however much you think you are worth, there is always someone that wants your spot. Being benched should be motivation as much as it should be easier to accept because of how the game has evolved. When called upon do your bit. If you don't then hopefully someone else wants that opportunity. Every player should be looking over their shoulders irrespective of name or reputation.
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He'll start on Sunday,this'll blow over.
There's nothing to blow over.
Eh? Start striker having a moan in the press about being dropped, how is that 'nothing'?
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The annoying thing is that if he now plays Bent next game like he probably would have regardless of these stories the line will be
'Lambert realises mistake' or 'Lambert bows to Bent demands'
or if he scores against Spurs, it won't be Lambert justified in Bent benching. There's no win.
I want players who understand that this is a squad game now, and however much you think you are worth, there is always someone that wants your spot. Being benched should be motivation as much as it should be easier to accept because of how the game has evolved. When called upon do your bit. If you don't then hopefully someone else wants that opportunity. Every player should be looking over their shoulders irrespective of name or reputation.
Plus if I was Gabby or Benteke I'd be thinking "who the fuck do you think you are?!"
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The annoying thing is that if he now plays Bent next game like he probably would have regardless of these stories the line will be
'Lambert realises mistake' or 'Lambert bows to Bent demands'
or if he scores against Spurs, it won't be Lambert justified in Bent benching. There's no win.
I want players who understand that this is a squad game now, and however much you think you are worth, there is always someone that wants your spot. Being benched should be motivation as much as it should be easier to accept because of how the game has evolved. When called upon do your bit. If you don't then hopefully someone else wants that opportunity. Every player should be looking over their shoulders irrespective of name or reputation.
Plus if I was Gabby or Benteke I'd be thinking "who the fuck do you think you are?!"
THAT
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I'd start Gabby and Bent up front on Saturday regardless of this story.
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Im sure Lambert will say too Bent prove me wrong next game.
To be honest I would rather read about how Holman was proud to be MOM when we played Swansea and those sort of stories. Bent should look at those kind of performances before he starts moaning.
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I don't particularly think it was Lambert's intention to snub him.
He must have rated him to an extent to give him the captaincy in the first place.
But whether he intended to snub him or not doesn't really matter. At present, we are not the type of club that big name players will accept being rotated at. That's true of Bent and is probably true of Given as well.
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If true then the guy is a jumped up prick! Who the fuck does he think he is shouting off he's too good to be dropped or have the captains arm band taken off him. Drogba had time on the bench, David Villa had time on the bench, Rooney had time on the bench...you're not half the player they are and you were only on the pissing subs bench for 60 fucking minutes and you start whining.
Get on with your job Darren or piss off.
Don't be such a drama queen! Where does he say he's too good to be dropped?
Bent hasn't sulked or complained publicly , of course he wants to be In theteam and as a good pro is hurt if he's on the bench as he said on sky -he will do his talking on the pitch.
Don't believe everything you read in the press - I think people are making a drama out of nothing - if he was happy to be dropped I'd be far more worried.
Talk about overreaction , Tuscan.
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Many of the posts on this thread are based on media stories, or more accurately speculation about PL and DB. We don't really know what's been said, only what the papers have interpreted as been said.
I'd have thought however, PL would have been a better communicator regarding taking the captaincy off him if DB is pissed off about it.
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I get the feeling Lambert isnt a huge fan of Bent. Bent started getting the hump at Sunderland when he wasnt the main man. Being dropped for one game seems a total overreaction but Bent aint happy about losing the armband either evidently. After a bad injury, he would be best advised to start off the bench the odd week.
Bit of an issue for Lambert is the form of Vlaar. Recently made captain but his form since has nosedived. When Dunne is back it will be interesting to see how Lambert plays it.
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Yeah, I think Bent starts at Spurs with Gabby and this is all forgotten about.
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He's making himself look a bit of a tit to be honest
Yah and not for the 1st time, do you recall the HMV Xmas shopping trip instead of watching his team mates ?
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Bent hasn't complained publicly
Apart from all the interviews reproduced in newspapers today you mean, in which he quite clearly is complaining publicly.
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Bent hasn't complained publicly
Apart from all the interviews reproduced in newspapers today you mean, in which he quite clearly is complaining publicly.
Would you prefer him to be happy about being dropped? He was disappointed to be left out - which is a healthy attitude to have, at no time did he say he was too good to be left out as some have suggested- there's no problem here , just a few people trying to make a big deal out of nothing.
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I'd play him at spurs and if he's not putting a shift in or sulking, haul him off on about 40mins
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Gabby'z link up play was excellent in the first half. It was in the second that he seemed to run out of steam. He'll come good this season, if only in aiding others to score.
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Bent hasn't complained publicly
Apart from all the interviews reproduced in newspapers today you mean, in which he quite clearly is complaining publicly.
Would you prefer him to be happy about being dropped? He was disappointed to be left out - which is a healthy attitude to have, at no time did he say he was too good to be left out as some have suggested- there's no problem here , just a few people trying to make a big deal out of nothing.
No, I wouldn't expect him to be happy about being dropped, but then I also wouldn't expect him to publicly complain about it. Better players than him have been on the bench.
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Can't blame the press for this one. Saw the interview after the game and he quite clearly came across as a sulky tit.
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Great management by Paul Lambert.
Darren Bent looked hungrier than ever before when he came on.
If he continues that, then everyone is happy, because he will be working for the team and scoring goals.
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Can't blame the press for this one. Saw the interview after the game and he quite clearly came across as a sulky tit.
I saw it too, but my interpretation was he was hurt and disappointed at being dropped and reacted in the right manner by doing the business when he came on- I really don't think there is anything to worry about.
Benteke and gabby did the business at city and merited their selection , the only surprise is that lambert doesn't seem to have explained the reason for the captaincy decision to bent.
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He did the business when he came on, and he should have left it at that. When was the last time a player had a whinge in the press and actually came out of it well?
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I think Bent should shut his pie hole and score a few more goals.
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Managers should look on situations like this as a chance to assert their authority over the team.
At the end of training you pin him up against a wall and threaten to beat the shit out of him, out of sight of the other players but you make sure it gets back whats happened. Either that, or throw hair dryers at him.
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Whilst no player has a divine right to start every game, I can see Bent's point when PL never said a word to him - come on, they're grown men, a simple: ''I'm starting with Gabby and Benteke today'' but, this silent treatment is childish. FFS talk to one another!!
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Whilst no player has a divine right to start every game, I can see Bent's point when PL never said a word to him - come on, they're grown men, a simple: ''I'm starting with Gabby and Benteke today'' but, this silent treatment is childish. FFS talk to one another!!
Did Lambert talk to anyone else? Especially anyone else who wasn't in the team for the last match the club played, the superb performance at Man City? Seems to me that he felt a bit like he should have special treatment. He shouldn't.
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Whilst no player has a divine right to start every game, I can see Bent's point when PL never said a word to him - come on, they're grown men, a simple: ''I'm starting with Gabby and Benteke today'' but, this silent treatment is childish. FFS talk to one another!!
Did Lambert talk to anyone else? Especially anyone else who wasn't in the team for the last match the club played, the superb performance at Man City? Seems to me that he felt a bit like he should have special treatment. He shouldn't.
If you were one of the most senior people at your place of work, considered to be one of the most talented, and were always involved in all the major projects, would you just accept it if your boss decided to not involve you in the latest one and not even speak to you about why? I can understand why he's a bit pissed off. The bottom line is how he deals with it. Spouting off to the press is generally not the best approach though.
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Oh for God's sake, does he really need it explaining to him? Presumably he was okay having a rest for the Man City game, or he would have got his agent or somebody to spout off about being dropped for that game. Then his replacements did the business, and earned another chance. What's so complicated?
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Lambert has done it that way for a reason. Ferguson does exactly the same.
Bent should be pissed off, it's the reaction Lambert wanted and it's good he's not happy he's not playing. However he shouldn't have sulked publicly and instead said something along the lines of 'manager makes the decisions and I have to respect that'.
I think this a nothing though and it'll blow over when Bent starts on Saturday.
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Oh for God's sake, does he really need it explaining to him? Presumably he was okay having a rest for the Man City game, or he would have got his agent or somebody to spout off about being dropped for that game. Then his replacements did the business, and earned another chance. What's so complicated?
Absolutely. Darren Bent is good goal scorer and probably the best of his type we could hope to have, but he isn't above being dropped. He certainly isn't a captain either.
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The captain thing is just a coincidence. It was Lambert that selected him in the first place, but he could hardly give it to Vlaar from the off as he was new to the league and had enough to concentrate on himself.
The media are just using it to boost their angel... And Bent is out of order for mentioning it and giving them the ammunition.
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The captain thing is just a coincidence. It was Lambert that selected him in the first place, but he could hardly give it to Vlaar from the off as he was new to the league and had enough to concentrate on himself.
The media are just using it to boost their angel... And Bent is out of order for mentioning it and giving them the ammunition.
Agree that bent is not captain material and I'm surprised he was given the role in the first place- Vlaar is much more suited to it.
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If you were one of the most senior people at your place of work, considered to be one of the most talented, and were always involved in all the major projects, would you just accept it if your boss decided to not involve you in the latest one and not even speak to you about why? I can understand why he's a bit pissed off. The bottom line is how he deals with it. Spouting off to the press is generally not the best approach though.
That's one of the very worst analogies I've read on here! He's a footballer, not lead engineer on a new major construction project. Players get rested and rotated all the time, it's the nature of the industry.
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He must see him as replaceable. By using him as a sub PL illiminatates DB's prima donna assumption of a guaranteed place, unless he scores goals, lots of them. Goal scoring is what he there for, and he is good at it on his day. PL made him work for it against the Bags and he saved the day.
Then PL could probably use the money he'd get for DB wisely, as he has with the Dutch trio and get another up and coming youngster with talent and long-term potential, at a fraction of the cost. So sell DB to the likes of Liverpool and be done with it. Everyone will be happy!
We need a team of fully committed triers now! Gabby is 100% in my book and has blossomed again given the right management approach.
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If you were one of the most senior people at your place of work, considered to be one of the most talented, and were always involved in all the major projects, would you just accept it if your boss decided to not involve you in the latest one and not even speak to you about why? I can understand why he's a bit pissed off. The bottom line is how he deals with it. Spouting off to the press is generally not the best approach though.
That's one of the very worst analogies I've read on here! He's a footballer, not lead engineer on a new major construction project. Players get rested and rotated all the time, it's the nature of the industry.
Absolutely not so.
When was the last time Peter Cech got dropped? What about Gareth Bale? What about Clint Dempsey when he was at Fulham?
The Champions League clubs rotate their teams in certain areas, absolutely. But the rest of the division have their best players who generally play almost every game. As Bent said in his whinge to the press, he can't remember the last time he was fit and not selected. That's not him being whingy - that's him pointing out a fact that he's used to always being selected over several years. In that context I can understand him being a bit pissed off at being dropped without any kind of explanation. But again, mouthing off to the press is not the best way to go about it.
Also, as others have said, Lambert probably did this deliberately to get a reaction from Bent. If Lambert predicted this reaction would come from his action then again it supports the fact that his reaction is rational.
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There is nothing wrong with PL dropping ....sorry not starting with Bent and there is nothing wrong with Bent's comments.
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There is nothing wrong with PL dropping ....sorry not starting with Bent and there is nothing wrong with Bent's comments.
Agreed- nothing to worry about here.
The press are trying to make it look a big issue but it's trivial.
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I wouldn't even use the word "dropped" it's rotation
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Darren - if you are so precious about being rested or not starting then I suggest you take your £80K a week or whatever and F*** off somewhere else - the money we get for you would bring in 3 or 4 lads who may just care more about this club than you - I believe your ego got the better of you at Spurs and Sunderland - you will not be allowed to get away with it here !
If however, you decide to knuckle down and help us climb the table then fair play to you- but don`t forget - this is a team game and we are all in it together.
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Darren Bent has always had teams built around him to suit his needs, often to the overall team's detriment. He's not good enough for that to be justified and he has to realise this - that he has to work hard and do other things to stay in the team.
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Lambert likes to use his squad, he rotated his strikers reguarly at Norwich too including Holt on more than a few occasions.
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Whilst no player has a divine right to start every game, I can see Bent's point when PL never said a word to him - come on, they're grown men, a simple: ''I'm starting with Gabby and Benteke today'' but, this silent treatment is childish. FFS talk to one another!!
Did Lambert talk to anyone else? Especially anyone else who wasn't in the team for the last match the club played, the superb performance at Man City? Seems to me that he felt a bit like he should have special treatment. He shouldn't.
If you were one of the most senior people at your place of work, considered to be one of the most talented, and were always involved in all the major projects, would you just accept it if your boss decided to not involve you in the latest one and not even speak to you about why? I can understand why he's a bit pissed off. The bottom line is how he deals with it. Spouting off to the press is generally not the best approach though.
I do wish we wouldn't have these pointless workplace comparisons. Nobody on here would be told to have a week off because the next project can be done better by someone else or have them come in midway through Thursday afternoon to take over from us because we were tired after doing long hours earlier in the week. Neither would we walk out of the office and have an interviewer asking us what we thought of the decision. It's not a normal business, it's a football club.
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Sadly I don't think we've heard the last of this. And every time Bent doesn't start, or is subbed, it will get mentioned.
Brilliant. Nice one, Darren.
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Exactly.
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Whilst no player has a divine right to start every game, I can see Bent's point when PL never said a word to him - come on, they're grown men, a simple: ''I'm starting with Gabby and Benteke today'' but, this silent treatment is childish. FFS talk to one another!!
I don't believe for a minute that Lambert acted childishly. Bent should realise that he has been taking a lot of money off the club while rarely drawing sweat. All the statements about 'no service' are bollocks. If he isn't getting the ball, he should go and get it instead of merely lumbering about. If h e found it so easy to prove his point on Sunday then there will be plenty more opportunities, starting on Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing the new Bent and don't expect to see the Manager hiding away as if he is at fault. Of course, the media have stirred the shit, but Bent had no need to play along with it. If he doesn't like it, we will manage without him.
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Seems to me Lambert has played it perfectly and Bent has illustrated perfectly why he's not captain.
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Seems to me Lambert has played it perfectly and Bent has illustrated perfectly why he's not captain.
Got it in one!
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I think most fans who pay close attention have realised that Darren Bent's normal way of playing firmly places him as a luxury player in PL's scheme of things. Giving him the captaincy was a sign that more was required in terms of contribution to the team. I don't think that Darren has cottoned on, or else he doesn't think he needs to.
Unfortunately for DB, and us, he is not quite good enough to be a luxury player in a CL side, and not hard working enough to hack it in the type of team PL is building.
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Storm. Tea Cup. Move on
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Storm. Tea Cup. Move on
Lambert was right with both the captain, and not putting him back in the side for the Albion game after the City game where they deserved to keep their places.
BUT.... you are Darren Bent. You have had an awful summer, where you have had to battle back from injury, a slow start to the season, finally got yourself scoring at Southampton, and then find yourself out the side. If then the manager does not come over, put his arm round you and let you know you are not starting, you will sit, probably very annoyed and wait to come on. He did the right thing, came on, scored the goal, looked a threat and we got the point. After the game a journalist then shoves a microphone in his face and asks how he is feeling. What would you say? His comments were innocuous in reality - that he and the manager would have chat this week. The press then report this as "crunch", "showdown" etc....... In the same interview he said the players are 100% with the manager. It is, as Pete said, a storm in a teacup. Hopefully they can have a chat, Bent can understand a few words that mumble out of Lambert's mouth and Bent can understand that he can't expect to start every week but has a vital role to play. Neither is right in the way it has been handled, but it is not the massive story as is being made out.
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Storm. Tea Cup. Move on
His comments were innocuous in reality - that he and the manager would have chat this week. The press then report this as "crunch", "showdown" etc....... In the same interview he said the players are 100% with the manager.
This - it amazes me how a quote can be taken and made to read as something else. Saying "We'll speak in the week" is not the same as "Darren Bent is to hold talks with Paul Lambert". If, with the microphone in his face after the game he'd said something neutral along the lines of "It's the boss's decision" then some on here would soon be claiming he's happy to pick up a fat paycheck whilst getting splinters...
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First shots in the battle to get DB's next money making move?
Hope I'm wrong but if not hope we end up getting back what we paid for him unlike Liverpool and their over-rated whinger..sorry winger
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Storm. Tea Cup. Move on
His comments were innocuous in reality - that he and the manager would have chat this week. The press then report this as "crunch", "showdown" etc....... In the same interview he said the players are 100% with the manager.
This - it amazes me how a quote can be taken and made to read as something else. Saying "We'll speak in the week" is not the same as "Darren Bent is to hold talks with Paul Lambert". If, with the microphone in his face after the game he'd said something neutral along the lines of "It's the boss's decision" then some on here would soon be claiming he's happy to pick up a fat paycheck whilst getting splinters...
Absolutely true- cannot believe so many are making such a big deal out of fuck all.
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I think a big part of why he came to Villa was the idea that he would be guaranteed a start in every game. He has got used to being indispensable.
Now, far more than a £20 million player sitting on the bench, a £20 million player who doesn't need to try is a luxury we can't afford.
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Unfortunately for DB, and us, he is not quite good enough to be a luxury player in a CL side, and not hard working enough to hack it in the type of team PL is building.
That could have been aimed at him last season but not this one. Thr Southampton game apart he has put in more work rate than I've seen from him for some time. So he's obviously bought into PL's ideas even if not totally.
He nalso needs to buy into the fact that there are no guaranteed places in the team under PL even if you're the club's biggest signing. Given has accepted his exclusion as has N'Zog as will others from time to time if they fail at what they're in the side to do or don't do what they're told.
I'm not certain what PL's motive for picking a team is but I'd imagine in Bent's case it's 100% effort for the entire game and some goals - his job basically. If he gives that then it will be difficult to leave him out.
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Lambert calls the shots, Bent will have to come to terms with that.
I agree with Bren, his work rate is much higher this season, he's definitely improved on that front, but he needs to realise, the manager is going to pick the right team for the match ahead of us - something he was particularly known for at Norwich - and nobody is exempted from that.
It's probably a good thing he's pissed off. It'd be more cause for concern if he wasn't too arsed. Still, not a good idea to air it in the press.
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He nalso needs to buy into the fact that there are no guaranteed places in the team under PL even if you're the club's biggest signing. Given has accepted his exclusion as has N'Zog as will others from time to time if they fail at what they're in the side to do or don't do what they're told.
Or they happen not to fit into what PL thinks is the best line up against a particular opposition.
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I think a big part of why he came to Villa was the idea that he would be guaranteed a start in every game.
You're probably right, but that's not really any different to the situation he was in at Sunderland.
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Sunderland are crap, is the other reason.
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Storm. Tea Cup. Move on
His comments were innocuous in reality - that he and the manager would have chat this week. The press then report this as "crunch", "showdown" etc....... In the same interview he said the players are 100% with the manager.
This - it amazes me how a quote can be taken and made to read as something else. Saying "We'll speak in the week" is not the same as "Darren Bent is to hold talks with Paul Lambert". If, with the microphone in his face after the game he'd said something neutral along the lines of "It's the boss's decision" then some on here would soon be claiming he's happy to pick up a fat paycheck whilst getting splinters...
Absolutely true- cannot believe so many are making such a big deal out of fuck all.
Probably because Matt Kendrick, who people chase after on Twitter for ITK at the time of new managerial appointments, decided to write about a dozen columns about it over two days in the Evening Mail. It was even on the front page yesterday after already being done to death on Monday.
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What Liverpool could have done with Darran Bent last night, eh?!
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It is a local derby, your season is going so-so and your 'goals for' column in the table is one of the lowest in the league, so what you do? Drop your best striker for an inconsistent one who is just returning from injury? Or, better yet, drop him for another striker who is in his first Premier League season and has yet to prove himself? Of course you don't, unless you're Paul Lambert. The Aston Villa manager took a big gamble leaving Darren Bent to ride the bench last weekend against West Bromwich Albion. Luckily for the Scot, it paid off within three touches when Bent came on, but Lambert would be foolish to try the same stunt again. Bent is the sort of striker who needs an arm around the shoulder, not the Sandra-would-have-done-better approach. Players returning to old clubs tend to play with a point to prove, and if Villa want to leave White Hart Lane with anything but their tail between the legs, Bent should be an automatic choice
Interpretations like this make me wonder how football writers get employed.
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It is a local derby, your season is going so-so and your 'goals for' column in the table is one of the lowest in the league, so what you do? Drop your best striker for an inconsistent one who is just returning from injury? Or, better yet, drop him for another striker who is in his first Premier League season and has yet to prove himself? Of course you don't, unless you're Paul Lambert. The Aston Villa manager took a big gamble leaving Darren Bent to ride the bench last weekend against West Bromwich Albion. Luckily for the Scot, it paid off within three touches when Bent came on, but Lambert would be foolish to try the same stunt again. Bent is the sort of striker who needs an arm around the shoulder, not the Sandra-would-have-done-better approach. Players returning to old clubs tend to play with a point to prove, and if Villa want to leave White Hart Lane with anything but their tail between the legs, Bent should be an automatic choice
Interpretations like this make me wonder how football writers get employed.
Really poor insight along the usual 'Villa are lucky to have Bent' narrative we seem to read so often. o be followed by 'Oooh, I wonder who Bent will jump ship to' ad infinitum.
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It's almost as if, oh I don't know, they're not paying attention to what's happened in our games this season.
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Lambert seemed very dismissive of Bent during his presser. Something along the lines of "If he had a problem he would probably come and knock on my office door, he hasnt, so I assume no problem..... of course I havent been there" (Laughs).
Not sure whether to admire lambert for putting players in their place or be worried he cant be bothered just to reach out to Bent,
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Stan Colleymore was guaranteed a start in every game by Gregory. When the penny dropped with JG Colleymore became an emotional cripple useless to one n all. Darren is worth a good bit of money. sell him to someone who can use and utilise his talents. The Villa is a different team now, a different set-up. Let him go. It is the best all round. It would be a kindness to all concerned.
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How about we try to get the most from Bent...the most natural goalscorer we've seen down Villa Park in years. We'll be lucky to get half of what we paid for him if we decided to sell him, so making sure he contributes by making him part of the team and scoring goals would be a more sensible option.
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It is a local derby, your season is going so-so and your 'goals for' column in the table is one of the lowest in the league, so what you do? Drop your best striker for an inconsistent one who is just returning from injury? Or, better yet, drop him for another striker who is in his first Premier League season and has yet to prove himself? Of course you don't, unless you're Paul Lambert. The Aston Villa manager took a big gamble leaving Darren Bent to ride the bench last weekend against West Bromwich Albion. Luckily for the Scot, it paid off within three touches when Bent came on, but Lambert would be foolish to try the same stunt again. Bent is the sort of striker who needs an arm around the shoulder, not the Sandra-would-have-done-better approach. Players returning to old clubs tend to play with a point to prove, and if Villa want to leave White Hart Lane with anything but their tail between the legs, Bent should be an automatic choice
Interpretations like this make me wonder how football writers get employed.
Really poor insight along the usual 'Villa are lucky to have Bent' narrative we seem to read so often. o be followed by 'Oooh, I wonder who Bent will jump ship to' ad infinitum.
Seems a legitimate interpretation to me. Bent's record is still not far off 1 in 2 for us. I'd still say he's our best striker, no?
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Darren Bent. Its an odd one. Our record signing who arrived at least a season too late but to great fan expectation as a bolt out of the blue in a depressing season. Bought by a desperate manager who couldn't get the best out of a side who had been top six three years in a row. The man who bought him was gone within five months (if you include the period that GH was sick) and replaced by an anti-football manager who presided over the break-up of the side that had been top six for three years and hadn't a clue how to best utilise Bent. Now we have a positive manager who seems to be building something special but you get the impression from him that his attitude to Bent is 'take it or leave it son'.
As for the fans? I get the impression that Bent isn't and will never be the kind of cult hero Yorke, Dublin, JPA, John Carew or Gabby were. He's not an Ashley Young, James Milner or Gareth Barry either. He's just this star striker who we should be 'thankful to have'. We all know he is a goalscorer but that he has been at villa through a period when we have created fuck all.
My gut tells me it will just never click. He'll have been here two (sorry!) years come January yet it always feels like he has just arrived! I don't know, I think he will be off for a decent fee (£12m?) and everybody, including the fans, will move on.
It would be nice to be proven wrong and see him fill his boots this season, but sometimes what your gut tells you is too strong.
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My gut tells me it will just never click. He'll have been here three years come January yet it always feels like he has just arrived!
3 years? Are you sure it's not 2 - and he's been injured for at least half a season since he's been here. It's not that surprising it still feels like he's a new signing.
I've said it before, if we can play to his strengths there are very few players in the Premier League better than him at scoring goals so it's madness to ignore that.
But, if we don't have the players or manager to play to his strengths then he's a very expensive passenger, and one this team isn't good enough to carry.
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My gut tells me it will just never click. He'll have been here three years come January yet it always feels like he has just arrived!
3 years? Are you sure it's not 2 - and he's been injured for at least half a season since he's been here. It's not that surprising it still feels like he's a new signing.
I've said it before, if we can play to his strengths there are very few players in the Premier League better than him at scoring goals so it's madness to ignore that.
But, if we don't have the players or manager to play to his strengths then he's a very expensive passenger, and one this team isn't good enough to carry.
You're right, two years! I will edit my post.
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Sub today, here we go again.
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Another round of " Bent demands talks with Lambert" in the daily rags tomorrow then.
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I think Lambert's made his point by leaving him out again but the fact of the matter is that we cannot score and Bent still offers us that. Until we can score consistently then we can forget about midtable safety. I don't care about all this 'he does fuck all' bollocks. The game's about scoring and he does that and has a record to prove it. Heskey made a career from being a team player but scored bugger all and we could not wait to get shut of him so time to decide what it is that you want because to hear some of you talk, you'd think we were Real Madrid and could buy this mythical, hard working, goal scorer and he'd want to come to a team destined for another crap season.
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I don't care about all this 'he does fuck all' bollocks. The game's about scoring and he does that and has a record to prove it.
It’s not that he does or doesn’t score as an individual, it’s how many the team score.
Someone of this parish looked at Bent’s career before Villa (at Spurs?) and the stats suggest the team scores more when he is not playing.
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But the team is not scoring, he's been our leading scorer in both seasons he's been here despite playing around half a season for us in both of them. I'm guessing he's there or there abouts now despite being left out and in his absence no one has taken the opportunity nor looks like doing so.
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I don't care about all this 'he does fuck all' bollocks. The game's about scoring and he does that and has a record to prove it.
It’s not that he does or doesn’t score as an individual, it’s how many the team score.
Someone of this parish looked at Bent’s career before Villa (at Spurs?) and the stats suggest the team scores more when he is not playing.
How many does the team look like scoring when he's not playing?
Edit - incidentally, I call bullshit on that stat (I think it's Monty that is the person who is fondest in bringing it up). I'd be amazed if Ipswich, Charlton or Sunderland scored more while Bent was at their club when he wasn't playing than when he was.
I can easily believe that it's true when he was at Spurs, but I'd put that down a bit more to Berbatov and Keane playing if Bent wasn't. And I think it says a lot more about how good Keane and Berbatov are/were as opposed to how bad Bent is/was.
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I don't care about all this 'he does fuck all' bollocks. The game's about scoring and he does that and has a record to prove it.
It’s not that he does or doesn’t score as an individual, it’s how many the team score.
Someone of this parish looked at Bent’s career before Villa (at Spurs?) and the stats suggest the team scores more when he is not playing.
How many does the team look like scoring when he's not playing?
I’d guess we’re creating an average of two decent chances each match at the moment.
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Darren Bent. Its an odd one. Our record signing who arrived at least a season too late but to great fan expectation as a bolt out of the blue in a depressing season. Bought by a desperate manager who couldn't get the best out of a side who had been top six three years in a row. The man who bought him was gone within five months (if you include the period that GH was sick) and replaced by an anti-football manager who presided over the break-up of the side that had been top six for three years and hadn't a clue how to best utilise Bent. Now we have a positive manager who seems to be building something special but you get the impression from him that his attitude to Bent is 'take it or leave it son'.
As for the fans? I get the impression that Bent isn't and will never be the kind of cult hero Yorke, Dublin, JPA, John Carew or Gabby were. He's not an Ashley Young, James Milner or Gareth Barry either. He's just this star striker who we should be 'thankful to have'. We all know he is a goalscorer but that he has been at villa through a period when we have created fuck all.
My gut tells me it will just never click. He'll have been here two (sorry!) years come January yet it always feels like he has just arrived! I don't know, I think he will be off for a decent fee (£12m?) and everybody, including the fans, will move on.
It would be nice to be proven wrong and see him fill his boots this season, but sometimes what your gut tells you is too strong.
Completely agree chap, this is my feeling on it. Bent was the missing piece in the MON years, I'm certain he would've got us top 4 in one of those years and prevented the depressing times we've had since.
He'll still score goals but it won't be as good as it could've been, for him and us.
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I too was amazed he was left out today. Fair enough last week when we'd scored 4 at Man. City without him but I do think people was a case of Lambert ramming the point down everyone's throats at the expense of the team.
In a difficult away game against a technically excellent Spurs, we simply weren't going to create as many chances as last week. So for even the half chances or good ones like Benteke had you need your best finisher on the pitch and he wasn't.
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How many truly class/proven players do we have? We'll sell Bent in January, buy a couple of promising youngsters, then we'll have none.
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I genuinly don't think Bent was left out to prove a point. As I put in the match thread before kick off, I think the game plan was to set up as 4-5-1/4-3-3 with Gabby and Albrighton helping Lowton and Bennett try and null the threat of Bale and Lennon hence us needing a big man up front that could hold the ball up and Benteke just fitted the role better than Bent.
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we need experience heads in the team . Bent is one of our most experienced players and scores. Should be starting.
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Scored 2 in his last 120 minutes. Should have started.
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From the Birmingham Mail
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert explained that his decision to again start with record signing Darren Bent on the bench was purely tactical.
Bent had stepped off the bench to rescue a point in the derby draw against West Ham a week earlier for his second goal in two league games.
The England striker spoke out after the previous match, saying he was going to speak to the manager for an explanation over why he was dropped.
But Lambert claimed his decision to again pair Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor was “the right one” despite Benteke’s costly miss.
“It was the system we played,” said Lambert.
“We marked Gabby up wide. It was the right one in my view. Darren has been great, we have not had a crossed word.
“We were in the game, we are coming to a place that’s vibrant and they are coming at you from all angles. We had chances to score. You can’t be too critical.
“Darren is better with someone up beside him. If you are playing with one up, Christian gives you a different option because he can get hold of it.
“Darren thrives on things going in behind. That was the only reason why we have done it. You know Spurs’ full-backs are going to bomb on at every given opportunity to give them width.
“That’s the reason I did it. Darren’s been fine. But that was my thinking. Get a target man up the pitch.
Darren has been fine. I would tell you. I would understand why he’s frustrated at being left out. Darren will play games, that’s for sure. It’s a team. I will need everybody.
“He was fine when I told him. I’m not going to make a mountain out of molehill. I know what was said.”
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/10/08/aston-villa-paul-lambert-insists-benching-bent-again-was-right-decision-97319-31990025/#ixzz28hBg58JU
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Obviously it did not turn out well, but I think the logic is pretty sound there. Had we gone 442 it is likely we’d have got swamped in midfield and Bent +1 would have been isolated up front.
The reality is, Spurs are just better than us at the moment.
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I think it runs deeper, difficult to prove my theory at this stage but here goes. We all wanted the high earners such as Warnock, Collins, Hutton, Heskey, Cuellar etc. moved on, those that were not contributing to the first team. However I believe Lerner has tasked Lambert with removing all the high earners from the club. Given makes one mistake in over a season and is immediately replaced, Bent is reduced to sub to make way for other strikers that will score nowhere near as many as him this season, N'Zogbia has a terrific game at City but is immediately replaced by a half fit Albrighton, Clark is near as damn it promoted to first choice centre half over Dunne by PL publicly in pre season (albeit Dunne is injured of course). Ireland being dropped for Herd v West Brom etc. Basically I think PL is tasked with removing Given, Dunne, Ireland, N'Zogbia and Bent from the club and these players may not get a fair crack of the whip this season imo even though they may have plenty to offer. We'll have to wait and see.
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Bent doesn't contrubute enough to the whole game, and against a proper good side, like Spurs we need players who can improve our posession of the ball. And also, there's no guarentee that Bent would have scored the chances the other players didn't.
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I think it runs deeper, difficult to prove my theory at this stage but here goes. We all wanted the high earners such as Warnock, Collins, Hutton, Heskey, Cuellar etc. moved on, those that were not contributing to the first team. However I believe Lerner has tasked Lambert with removing all the high earners from the club. Given makes one mistake in over a season and is immediately replaced, Bent is reduced to sub to make way for other strikers that will score nowhere near as many as him this season, N'Zogbia has a terrific game at City but is immediately replaced by a half fit Albrighton, Clark is near as damn it promoted to first choice centre half over Dunne by PL publicly in pre season (albeit Dunne is injured of course). Ireland being dropped for Herd v West Brom etc. Basically I think PL is tasked with removing Given, Dunne, Ireland, N'Zogbia and Bent from the club and these players may not get a fair crack of the whip this season imo even though they may have plenty to offer. We'll have to wait and see.
I must admit it has crossed my mind,but in doing so would surely be a recipe for relelegation,which would surely be more costly long term than getting rid of a couple of high earners.I think it's highly unlikely, Given was in poor form in the Euros prior to the Everton game.He needed to be dropped.Ireland has started every game and is now injured.As you say Dunne is injured,so no choice but to go with Clark . I think N'zog will get his chance
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Obviously it did not turn out well, but I think the logic is pretty sound there. Had we gone 442 it is likely we’d have got swamped in midfield and Bent +1 would have been isolated up front.
Which is exactly what happened when the changes were made.Bent barely got a touch of the ball
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Pedro - I’d imagine there is probably an element of that, but I would not be surprised if Lambert has instigated it to an extent rather than just Lerner. Lambert has a history of buying and using hungry players rather than established stars, presumably finding them easier to manage.
Trimming the wages will give Lambert more scope in the transfer market and better control of the club.
Also, Lambert was in a pretty strong position at Norwich so he did not need to take on such a poisoned challenge unless he bought into the idea.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
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Ireland would be more of a drain than Bent. Bent's goals give value for money.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
No, he just wants a total wagebill that is sustainable. This doesn't mean we'll be relegation fodder, just that we have to me smarter and less wasteful in how we spend our money.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
No, he just wants a total wagebill that is sustainable. This doesn't mean we'll be relegation fodder, just that we have to me smarter and less wasteful in how we spend our money.
But you get what you pay for in life. It's all well and good paying out low wages but the consequences of that is having a poor team with poor results. If you sell all your best players don't be surprised to find your team struggling at the wrong end of the table.
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Exactly right Concrete John in my opinion. We’ve had years of waste which started in the last years of MON and then continued by the skewed appointment of managers. Finally I think we have found a manager who will look to build the club from the bottom up and hopefully maximise the potential of the squad.
For me, this prudent approach is the only way I can see us growing for a sustained period and crucially having the resources and flexibility to buy the odd superstar.
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Apparently Darren has been fine.
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All I know is, I am suddenly starting to see a stark reality of a monumental struggle to survive this season given the all round quality and/or experience we have on the pitch. Whether his overall contribution is in question or not, the fact is he can finish, we don't have anyone of his like in the club. To alienate him unecessarily is therefore entirely counter productive and will only end one way, us losing him and struggling even more than we already are. These are worrying times indeed.
Just to wanted to add for those who think I am a serial miserablist on these matters. I do think PL will get it right here. And the players he has bought will probably kick on next season. My worry is whether that will be in this league or the next league down.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
No, he just wants a total wagebill that is sustainable. This doesn't mean we'll be relegation fodder, just that we have to me smarter and less wasteful in how we spend our money.
Trimming the wage bill is understandable but we surely still need to be competitive.
If these players are to be slowly pushed out and others brought in then what sort of quality are we looking at ? I understand tha PL wants to mould his own team, this may mean a few departures but we also have to be careful that we get quality to replace them.
I do not think we will be worrying to much by Christmas time if the players at the club step up to the mark, if they do not then Lambert will have to act very sharpish. I really think things will go our way soon. That Man City game was no fluke and showed us what we can do when things click. Positive still and will remain so for the forseable future. Not a time for panic. IMV.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
I don't think that's the case at all.
Everything they have said seems to point at it being players who take big money AND contribute next to nothing that they need to be shot of, and who can blame them?
If we wanted to sell Darren Bent, we'd have done it in the summer.
I can't tell if you're suggesting Bent is being dropped as Lerner wants him off the wage bill, but if you are, then do you really think Lambert would stand for interference like that?
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All I know is, I am suddenly starting to see a stark reality of a monumental struggle to survive this season given the all round quality and/or experience we have on the pitch. Whether his overall contribution is in question or not, the fact is he can finish, we don't have anyone of his like in the club. To alienate him unecessarily is therefore entirely counter productive and will only end one way, us losing him and struggling even more than we already are. These are worrying times indeed.
I keep going on about this, but I just do not get the happiness a lot of people seem to have for a squad of "hungry, young players". A squad entirely consisting of players of that ilk would ultimately result in one thing - relegation.
For every Man United of 15 years ago with probably the best crop of young players ever produced in this country, there are tens of squads full of young players who produced nothing like the standard needed to do well in the Premier League.
Look how weak the squad is right now. The best players have been sold and not replaced properly. How many players do we currently have who would be coveted by other clubs? One. Bent.
Selling him would not only weaken the club masively, it would be the ultimate message that we really had totally given up trying.
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I'm quite depressed after yesterday - don't know why because I didn't expect to get anything at Spurs. I can't seem to find the same enthusiasm for our current plight that many people on here do.
I think we have a decent manager but I wonder what he can realistically achieve with the squad he's got? mid-table?
I can only see a long hard season ahead. Maybe it's my hangover after a session in the Irish Centre before yesterday's game ( 3 of my mates came down for the match and were refused entry by some jobsworth steward who decided that they were too pissed to enter the ground) but I'm a bit worried. We really do have to beat Fulham and Norwich
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With so few seasoned premier league players in the current squad Darren Bent when fit should always play because he is a true goal poacher who can sniff out a chance and get us a result, with his England chances diminishing by the week I think he will push for a move in January and if we cash in and let him go we will be very close to the drop come next May, we must make full use of our most prized asset.
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I've always thought that the wages issue was more to do with what we're getting for our money. So with Bent, who is a first team regular and scores goals, there can be value argued into his high wages. With the likes of Warnock, etc. we could get just as good for less, hence wanting him out.
I think Lerner wants every high earner off the wage bill wether they contribute of not. Bent is the last of these. The consequences of this is obvious, and we're looking like relegation fodder. Lerner really hasn't got a clue about football.
I don't think that's the case at all.
Everything they have said seems to point at it being players who take big money AND contribute next to nothing that they need to be shot of, and who can blame them?
If we wanted to sell Darren Bent, we'd have done it in the summer.
I can't tell if you're suggesting Bent is being dropped as Lerner wants him off the wage bill, but if you are, then do you really think Lambert would stand for interference like that?
Perhaps Lambert bought into when he took the job? We've sold all our other high earners so why keep the last one? This has been an absolutely diabolical start to the season and to cap it all off we leave our best striker on the bench. I hope I'm wrong, but I get the feeling Lambert/Lerner are trying to piss off Bent into asking for a move. Then we can go out and spunk the money on nobodies, (sorry, young and hungry) players from the lower leagues.
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I'm quite depressed after yesterday - don't know why because I didn't expect to get anything at Spurs. I can't seem to find the same enthusiasm for our current plight that many people on here do.
I think we have a decent manager but I wonder what he can realistically achieve with the squad he's got? mid-table?
I can only see a long hard season ahead. Maybe it's my hangover after a session in the Irish Centre before yesterday's game ( 3 of my mates came down for the match and were refused entry by some jobsworth steward who decided that they were too pissed to enter the ground) but I'm a bit worried. We really do have to beat Fulham and Norwich
I guess your enthusiasm will be dictated by your original expectations Chico. I think we can realistically expect to survive, I’d be delighted to get mid table. The green shoots for me though is the fact that I think we can grow from here. The aggregate wages will have been trimmed to the point that we can sign players again, whereas before the manager’s hands were tied due to highly paid players who were arguably not providing the benefits on the pitch (i.e. the wastage/value for money mentioned before).
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Perhaps Lambert bought into when he took the job? We've sold all our other high earners so why keep the last one? This has been an absolutely diabolical start to the season and to cap it all off we leave our best striker on the bench. I hope I'm wrong, but I get the feeling Lambert/Lerner are trying to piss off Bent into asking for a move. Then we can go out and spunk the money on nobodies, (sorry, young and hungry) players from the lower leagues.
I don't believe for a minute that Lambert would have taken the job on those conditions.
Ultimately, if they wanted to sell Bent, they'd just do it when the timing suited them. Just like they did with Downing. They're not going to mess around dropping him until he gets pissed off. I also don't know how that squares with Lambert making him captain for a match recently.
On a wider point, isn't all this somewhat over the top? He's started two games on the bench, he's hardly been sent to train with Hutton and the kids.
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Perhaps Lambert bought into when he took the job? We've sold all our other high earners so why keep the last one? This has been an absolutely diabolical start to the season and to cap it all off we leave our best striker on the bench. I hope I'm wrong, but I get the feeling Lambert/Lerner are trying to piss off Bent into asking for a move. Then we can go out and spunk the money on nobodies, (sorry, young and hungry) players from the lower leagues.
I don't believe for a minute that Lambert would have taken the job on those conditions.
Ultimately, if they wanted to sell Bent, they'd just do it when the timing suited them. Just like they did with Downing. They're not going to mess around dropping him until he gets pissed off. I also don't know how that squares with Lambert making him captain for a match recently.
On a wider point, isn't all this somewhat over the top? He's started two games on the bench, he's hardly been sent to train with Hutton and the kids.
Hope there is no more stupid paper talk about Bent and Lambert falling out cause we do not need any of that nonsense running through the club.
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If they wanted to sell him why would they drop him which is likely to devalue him?
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I don't think Lambert has an issue with Bent at all. Bent might not be happy about Lambert, but then so what?
I have to say though, that if Bent had been on the pitch yesterday, we'd have been two up in that second half and goals change games.
Gabby looked decent again, so for me, given that we need at least 5 points (have to beat Norwich) from Fulham, Norwich and Sunderland, Bent has to start.
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I don't believe we're planning on selling him. We need to get him in the side and scoring goals it's as simple as that.
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I don't believe we're planning on selling him. We need to get him in the side and scoring goals it's as simple as that.
As important as that is, I think the key is getting our two most talented and creative players, Ireland and N'Zogbia, in roles that suit them and give them the confidence to play. They are both top, experienced Premier League players but we've barely seen it from them yet. Lambert has to unlock that key otherwise it's going to be a long season.
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My take on it is that Bent probably would have started yesterday were it not for his outbursts in the media. And if my theory is correct, then I wouldn't blame PL at all for that decision.
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My take on it is that Bent probably would have started yesterday were it not for his outbursts in the media. And if my theory is correct, then I wouldn't blame PL at all for that decision.
That was my take also.
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It's a puzzle. Without Bent, we have more possession in good areas, we play much more fluently, and we create more chances. The downside is we then bloody miss them. With him in the team, we hardly create anything. Basically, we either need to find a combination of ten players who can carry him, or hope that Gabby and Benteke can replicate their Man City performance more regularly.
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Let's try Bent & Gabby. I think that'll be the answer. It'll also mean we play the ball on the ground more.
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I'm curious who this mythical striker is that we have who never misses an easy chance.
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I'm curious who this mythical striker is that we have who never misses an easy chance.
Gary Shaw.
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I'm curious who this mythical striker is that we have who never misses an easy chance.
Your shin.
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We have four strikers and they all have to accept that their place is conditional on how they perform and how many they score. Even if Benteke missed two good chances yesterday, that's two more chances than Agbonlahor had. It was disappointing how little pressure the centre back at left back was put under. Albrighton and N'Zogbia are a big part of the problem too.
For the next game, I'd be tempted to play Bent, Agbonlahor and N'zgobia in front of KEA, Delph and Herd. It's a coherent formation even if N'Zogbia doesn't really warrant a place in the starting 11.
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Bent is just a bit of a prick, probably why he's had such a journeyman-like career despite being a superb goalscorer.
Anyone remember when he missed a game to go shopping in Cambridge? I'd rather Lambert assert himself than have his authority undermined by Bent.
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He's certainly a very selfish player, which I'm not sure fits in with politics of a Lambert team. He's kind of a Tory footballer in a socialist team.
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Bent is just a bit of a prick, probably why he's had such a journeyman-like career despite being a superb goalscorer.
Anyone remember when he missed a game to go shopping in Cambridge? I'd rather Lambert assert himself than have his authority undermined by Bent.
In fairness, he was injured at the time, so it's not like he faked a bit of manflu and went off shopping instead.
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It's a coherent formation even if N'Zogbia doesn't really warrant a place in the starting 11.
Really? Since being dropped from the starting 11 he has looked quite lively whenever he has come on as a sub and also he produced his best performance in a Villa shirt against City. PL's philosophy seems to be you are as good as your last game. So if Gabby deserved to start on the back of that game then surely the Zog did too? With Ireland out, I do think he way be the one to plug that gap. It should be noted that I am not particularly a fan of the Zog.
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Strikers should be selfish, that's what makes them effective. The last unselfish striker we had was Heskey and he was laughed at by 99% of Villa fans for being shit.
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There's being selfish in front of goal and then there's being unwilling or unable to take part in team play.
I'll raise your Heskey with a Messi.
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I would agree with Bent being kept on the bench on merit. But the fact of the matter is Bent had started to find his scoring feet against Southampton and was then dropped for Benteke and Gabby. This worked for Man Citeh but was again largely ineffectual against The Throstles so was replaced by Bent, who came on and rescued the game. So on the basis of you earn the right to keep the shirt Bent should have started yesterday no question. If we are on about who they should look at it appears Gabby is a one in 5 good game player.
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All I know is, I am suddenly starting to see a stark reality of a monumental struggle to survive this season given the all round quality and/or experience we have on the pitch. Whether his overall contribution is in question or not, the fact is he can finish, we don't have anyone of his like in the club. To alienate him unecessarily is therefore entirely counter productive and will only end one way, us losing him and struggling even more than we already are. These are worrying times indeed.
I keep going on about this, but I just do not get the happiness a lot of people seem to have for a squad of "hungry, young players". A squad entirely consisting of players of that ilk would ultimately result in one thing - relegation.
For every Man United of 15 years ago with probably the best crop of young players ever produced in this country, there are tens of squads full of young players who produced nothing like the standard needed to do well in the Premier League.
Look how weak the squad is right now. The best players have been sold and not replaced properly. How many players do we currently have who would be coveted by other clubs? One. Bent.
Selling him would not only weaken the club masively, it would be the ultimate message that we really had totally given up trying.
I reckon we'll survive and probably finish bottom half but i'm factoring in Bents scoring about 20 goals as he usually does. If he has broken the rules then Lambert needs to find a different punishment from dropping him. He may be a goal hanger but he's a very good one.
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I think Bent has worked as hard as he ever has this season, and should be in the team alongside Gabby or Weimann as he a) isn't that bad a team player, and b) is a far better goal scorer than anybody else.
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I think Bent has worked as hard as he ever has this season, and should be in the team alongside Gabby or Weimann as he a) isn't that bad a team player, and b) is a far better goal scorer than anybody else.
It think the decision to play Gabby and Benteke against Albion was merited.
The decision to then leave Bent out of the line up against Spurs was wrong, for the same reasons.
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Personally i'd have started him against Spurs. An old club where he took some stick so he'd hopefully have a point to prove there, plus a point to Lambert. However, what none of us know is what's gone on at BH or behind closed doors recently. Maybe Bent deserved to be dropped for something none of us know about.
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There's being selfish in front of goal and then there's being unwilling or unable to take part in team play.
I'll raise your Heskey with a Messi.
Not a fair comparision since players of Messi's ability would never join us nor could we afford such a complete player. For where we are we are probably lucky to have such a natural scorer in Bent, it's just a shame the rest of the team are so shite we can't utilise a '1 in 2' player.
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Personally i'd have started him against Spurs. An old club where he took some stick so he'd hopefully have a point to prove there, plus a point to Lambert. However, what none of us know is what's gone on at BH or behind closed doors recently. Maybe Bent deserved to be dropped for something none of us know about.
Possibly. But I take lambert at his word. He wanted to play the 4231 that had worked well at citeh. Bent can't play the hold up role.
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Bent is just a bit of a prick, probably why he's had such a journeyman-like career despite being a superb goalscorer.
Anyone remember when he missed a game to go shopping in Cambridge? I'd rather Lambert assert himself than have his authority undermined by Bent.
He didn't 'miss a game to go shopping' he was injured and went shipping. That's pretty different
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Bent is just a bit of a prick, probably why he's had such a journeyman-like career despite being a superb goalscorer.
Anyone remember when he missed a game to go shopping in Cambridge? I'd rather Lambert assert himself than have his authority undermined by Bent.
He didn't 'miss a game to go shopping' he was injured and went shipping. That's pretty different
I agree, Lambert should show him who's the mast-er
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So that's why he was made captain.
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It's a puzzle. Without Bent, we have more possession in good areas, we play much more fluently, and we create more chances. The downside is we then bloody miss them. With him in the team, we hardly create anything. Basically, we either need to find a combination of ten players who can carry him, or hope that Gabby and Benteke can replicate their Man City performance more regularly.
That was the case in the Arsenal home game last season. I remember Albrighton and N'zogbia actually played really and hit in plenty of good crosses into the 6 yard box but Gabby didn't get on the end of any of them. When Bent came back into the team, the chances dried up again.
Surely against Norwich at home (and to a lesser degree Fulham as they play 4-4-2 and their current central midfield is Baird and Sidwell) we could play Bent and Benteke upfront and Gabby on the left?
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Worth a go I reckon.
Anyway, he sailed pretty close to the wind on that shopping trip.
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no wonder he dropped the (w)anchor
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Avast improvement is needed.
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When Bent isn't scoring he seems cut adrift - abeam of light sometimes appears in the form of a goal but, if it doesn't, he looks all at sea. It's why it's a bit rich that he feels the need to mouth off to the press gang if he doesn't get his way.
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Bent is just a bit of a prick, probably why he's had such a journeyman-like career despite being a superb goalscorer.
Anyone remember when he missed a game to go shopping in Cambridge? I'd rather Lambert assert himself than have his authority undermined by Bent.
He didn't 'miss a game to go shopping' he was injured and went shipping. That's pretty different
Yes I know he was injured, injured/suspended players still go and watch the team on a Saturday though. Stan turned up after he'd been diagnosed.
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Sell him and use the money wisely, Paul. It is simple. The grief factor, and what he could be paid elsewhere for doing even less, will cause friction in a new team that can do the business without having to be coaxed, cajoled and mollycoddled into a positive fame of mind. Sell him while you can! Name me another primadonna on the team?
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This is no more than Lambert making his point. If Bent doesn't like it then he'll learn that he isn't bigger than the club. And, ultimately, the manager calls the shots. The big shot England striker doesn't.
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I don't see Bent going anywhere, mainly because the only clubs that could afford him are too good for him.
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I think he'd be good at Stoke or West Ham.
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I think he'd be good at Stoke or West Ham.
I don't think either of them would pay what we would ask for him though.
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I think the bigger clubs probably realise he isn't that good a footballer.
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Dave: maybe, maybe not. They might be quite flush, and we might not want an unreasonable amount, given that his resale value will diminish rapidly over the next couple of years.
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Dave: maybe, maybe not. They might be quite flush, and we might not want an unreasonable amount, given that his resale value will diminish rapidly over the next couple of years.
You'd think we would demand around 15m for him. Maybe 12m if he tries to force the issue?
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http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/121022/bent-admits-discontent-aston-villa-rotation-role-183596
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http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/121022/bent-admits-discontent-aston-villa-rotation-role-183596
A rehash of his interview on SSN this morning from the open day. At the end of the day what is he supposed to say, I'm happy being out of the team etc...?
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This stripped of the captaincy bollocks is doing my head in
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A chap I am good mates with told me at golf on saturday that Bent was looking for a move in the summer; he had instructed his agent to put the feelers out. The upshot is he most likely will be off in the Jan window, if not, when Carroll moves to WH (if they stay up) Liverpool will then come in for him with the money from the Carroll move.
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I can see Liverpool being the only club that will be willing to buy him that he'd consider going to. They need a finisher because they have several creative players. As much as we have been crying out for a Darren Bent type player, he's only as effective as the supply he receives. Stick him in a side with Ash and Downing he'll score loads. I don't think Lambert or the club want to sell him, but it may be better to get the money and avoid the constant distraction.
Today's article is just another example of what to expect for the rest of the season as long we don't find a way to help him score goals or if he simply doesn't get picked every week. We are an easy target for the media. Other clubs rotate all the time but little Villa shouldn't be doing it or can't afford to apparently. If Bent stays through January and we buy to make him productive then great. If not, then we get the most we can for him and hopefully continue the development of the team and squad beyond the individual.
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He has no future with us. Take the money and use it well!
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He has no future with us. Take the money and use it well!
Yes, because when we've sold our best players in the past we have always come out better for it.How about we play to Bents strengths instead ?
I really don't get that how anybody can think that selling Bent can somehow improve us , when we have nobody else who can score goals
Maybe I'm missing something
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Very difficult to spend any money well in our position,no quality prem player would give us the time of day unless by January the manager has worked a miracle and got us in the top half. Players move for two reasons money and prestiige, we are no longer offering silly wages so the first is a no go and our prospects of a good season are improbable.
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I'd rather keep him and play to his strength's than flog him and watch him score goals for someone else, which he will.
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Very difficult to spend any money well in our position,no quality prem player would give us the time of day unless by January the manager has worked a miracle and got us in the top half. Players move for two reasons money and prestiige, we are no longer offering silly wages so the first is a no go and our prospects of a good season are improbable.
Lambert is not looking at PL players to replace Bent imo. He can get someone of DB's quality elsewhere. He has proved that to me already with his Dutch signings.
The idea that DB can score goals elsewhere is the peg to hang a transfer on, for the right money.
I have every faith in Paul Lambert and slightly less in DB.
I do not run AV! I hope those in charge after the debacle of the last few seasons can now do the right thing.
I have nothing against DB. I think he is an excellent player given the right circs..those circs may well be elsewhere for him..that is all.
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It's strange how it's all gone wrong for DB so quickly. I thought he was bad news when he arrived as he was always going to marginalise Gabby which is exactly what happened disrupting his development as the main striker. Would have liked to have seen us go to 4-5-1 with Gabby (who has been prolific when played in that system) for an extended period at that time with Delfouneso and Weimann getting brought on behind him. Would have been risky at the time though.... Lambert must have liked Bent initially to have handed over the armband but now seems to have reached the conclusion that he takes more than he offers and we are a better team without him. Shame to see him go but I think it's inevitable now.
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The problem i have with people who say we'd be better off without Bent is that they don't offer any alternative suggestions as to who to replace him. Mal above has suggested Gabby in a 4-5-1 which did work for a while but other than that i've not heard many other ideas.
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I don't think we should get rid of Bent, as I've made clear on numerous occasions. However if we did the money must be reinvested in a relatively proven creative midfielder, to create chances for the remaining strikers. I'm not expecting us to sign Iniesta, but we need someone to give us an attacking threat.
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I think Darren Bent's time at villa has been quite sad. He was the right player but he arrived a year (or two?) too late. I am convinced we would have challenged for the title if we had got him in say 2009. Instead we ended up getting him as that side was being dismantled and so he hasn't had the creativity he thrives on.
SO frustrating.
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Supposedly Bent was laughing and joking with Jol, after the final whistle on Saturday!
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Is it any coincidence that he has not been picked up by any of the "top" teams considering how good his record was.
The fact of the matter is outside of the box and you may as well play with 10 men - he offers nothing as part of the team so to accomodate him emand we have to be light elsewhere
He does not tackle
Not good in the air
Does not track back
His positional sense is questionable
Thats not to say he is not a great goal poacher - he is, but just like Rush, Lineker, Owen et al in the modern game the striker has to be more than that - they have to be an allround player - Henry, RVP, Bergkamp, Rooney, Tevez etc
The ideal time to have bought Bent was when we had both Young / Milner and even then it was the pace of Gabby that made that front 3 very dangerous
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Supposedly Bent was laughing and joking with Jol, after the final whistle on Saturday!
Wow. Engaging with his former boss. Hanging offence
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It's not really a rotation policy, Darren. You've started the majority of games this season, been sub twice (coming on both times), and started the last league game, without doing too much.
I like Bent and rate him, in terms of the type of striker he is, but he does seem to have a habit of moving on whenever things get slightly tricky at a club. If you're agitating for a move after starting two games on the bench, it doesn't say a lot for your strength of character.
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Agreed Merv even Rooney gets put on the bench sometimes , the bottom line is yes we could create more but dear me when we don't his contribution is non existent so moaning doesn't reflect well on him.
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Agreed Merv even Rooney gets put on the bench sometimes , the bottom line is yes we could create more but dear me when we don't his contribution is non existent so moaning doesn't reflect well on him.
He was probably the same at Sunderland but we saw his name on the scoresheet nearly every week. Every now and then you'll get a goalscorer who dose'nt contribute as much as other strikers and Bent is one of them but i bet Sunderland fans would have him back.
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His game's always been like that, yes. Not so sure if Sunderland fans would have him back. That all turned sour very quickly. He had a fantastic first season, was reportedly looking for a move the following summer. Not surprised at all he's getting itchy feet again (apparently) after 18 months with us.
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His game's always been like that, yes. Not so sure if Sunderland fans would have him back. That all turned sour very quickly. He had a fantastic first season, was reportedly looking for a move the following summer. Not surprised at all he's getting itchy feet again (apparently) after 18 months with us.
Well no, they would'nt be clamouring his signature but you know how fickle fans can be, if MON signed him back they'd very quickly forgive. And anyway, there's no suggestion that he's getting itchy feet.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
Even if he was starting every game and scoring goals, there'd still be talk of him leaving in January, it's been like that since he's been here.
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Looking at it far more rationally, who would pay the money for him we would demand and the wages he enjoys given the form he is currently in. Let's look at the options.
Manure - No
Many Citeh - v doubtful given their options.
Chelsea - very slight possibility but surely not given Torres etc.
Arse - wouldnt pay the money or wages.
Bindippers - wouldnt be able to afford him.
Nottingham Hotspurts - No they wouldnt have him back.
QPR - why would he except for anything other than money - a possibility I suppose.
Everton - couldnt afford him.
Who else is there.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
Agreed. How many times have we seen this at VP before? Lots of denials at the club, the manager keeps saying everything is fine, but the whispers continue. As a fan of more years than I care to admit, this is only going in one direction. He will be gone by next summer if not before.
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I don't think QPR could afford him. For all the players they have brought in, they haven't splashed huge transfer fees and the wage bill there now must be interesting. I think the only time Liverpool would both want him and be prepared to pay big money for him is if they are still struggling in January. Which poses the question, would he make a sideways move to a club further North at that time?
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So after moaning to the media about not being in the team he's now moaning to the media having been in the team? Our Darren needs to keep his trap shut.
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Looking at it far more rationally, who would pay the money for him we would demand and the wages he enjoys given the form he is currently in. Let's look at the options.
Manure - No
Many Citeh - v doubtful given their options.
Chelsea - very slight possibility but surely not given Torres etc.
Arse - wouldnt pay the money or wages.
Bindippers - wouldnt be able to afford him.
Nottingham Hotspurts - No they wouldnt have him back.
QPR - why would he except for anything other than money - a possibility I suppose.
Everton - couldnt afford him.
Who else is there.
Why wouldn't Spurrrrrrrs have him back, with new manager in place?
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Looking at it far more rationally, who would pay the money for him we would demand and the wages he enjoys given the form he is currently in. Let's look at the options.
Manure - No
Many Citeh - v doubtful given their options.
Chelsea - very slight possibility but surely not given Torres etc.
Arse - wouldnt pay the money or wages.
Bindippers - wouldnt be able to afford him.
Nottingham Hotspurts - No they wouldnt have him back.
QPR - why would he except for anything other than money - a possibility I suppose.
Everton - couldnt afford him.
Who else is there.
Why wouldn't Spurrrrrrrs have him back, with new manager in place?
Liverpool could afford him if Carroll joins west ham permanently as seems likely.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
So, because the internet is full of hearsay there is momentum building. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
So, because the internet is full of hearsay there is momentum building. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
It isn't all hearsay though is it? Bent has said himself on more than once occasion now that he isn't happy, and as we've seen from him in the past, that usually ends with him moving on.
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its pretty obvious that Bent is on the way out,it only works with Bent if you set the whole team up to create chances for him, he is virtuallly useless at everything else than scoring.
We need our ten outfield players operating on the pitch, we are not good enough to carry a bloke that can not, trap, control or pass the ball.
The reason we need to lose Bent is not Bents fault, it is because we do not have enough ability to carry him.
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....we are not good enough to carry a bloke that can not, trap, control or pass the ball.
That just about sums it up for me. May as well play with ten men.
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I have to agree with some of the comments here. I don't think selling Bent can really make us much worse considering the way PL sets us up. Clearly PL is trying to drive a new ethic into the team and Bent doesn't fit in with it. Not his fault, he has been successful in the way he has been playing and he is probably too long in the tooth to change his playing style.
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We've cried out for a player like Bent for years and now he's here we want to get rid? the simple problem is were not creating enough chances for him, Im willing to bet if he'd been on the pitch at spurs we'd have been 2 up given the Benteke chances (this is not knocking Benteke) he needs the correct service and he's not getting it. He's never worked hard or put a big shift in, it's not his game and it never will be
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Houllier bought bent and played to his strengths with young and downing supplying him and bent flourished, if you are not playing with quality wide men then bent will be a passenger .
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The fact is that most of the teams who might sign him won't because he's not good enough. Everton don't need him, his lack of work would ruin their system. Spurs already have Defoe, a technically better and more dynamic version of Bent. As for United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal, they're no more likely to sign him than they are to appoint Mick McCarthy as manager. Only Liverpool might be tempted, and even then I don't think Rodgers would pay the money required on a player he'd probably imagine is not technically up to his style of play, and he can get better value abroad.
As far as I'm concerned, the only options for him would be QPR (definitely dumb enough) or staying put. It still surprises me that some fans want to build the side around a player it's nearly impossible to imagine any of the better sides in the league would sign.
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The fact is that most of the teams who might sign him won't because he's not good enough. Everton don't need him, his lack of work would ruin their system. Spurs already have Defoe, a technically better and more dynamic version of Bent. As for United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal, they're no more likely to sign him than they are to appoint Mick McCarthy as manager. Only Liverpool might be tempted, and even then I don't think Rodgers would pay the money required on a player he'd probably imagine is not technically up to his style of play, and he can get better value abroad.
As far as I'm concerned, the only options for him would be QPR (definitely dumb enough) or staying put. It still surprises me that some fans want to build the side around a player it's nearly impossible to imagine any of the better sides in the league would sign.
Qpr or Liverpool maybe but I doubt we would get anywhere near what we paid for him- would be surprised if we got much more than £12m.
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I seem to remember last season up until he got himself injured, fans were moaning that Bent was not getting any service under McLeish. The same thing is happening again this season and all of a sudden it's time to sell him.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
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I seem to remember last season up until he got himself injured, fans were moaning that Bent was not getting any service under McLeish. The same thing is happening again this season and all of a sudden it's time to sell him.
Indeed Clampy. The football is supposed to be much better than under McLeish, but let's face it, it hasn't been a huge improvement so far, and he'd arther play a big lump like Benteke than work out how to get the best out of Darren Bent.
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I seem to remember last season up until he got himself injured, fans were moaning that Bent was not getting any service under McLeish. The same thing is happening again this season and all of a sudden it's time to sell him.
To be clear I'd be happy to keep him , he's a goalscorer and we need goals but if lambert is going to play this system then bent doesn't really fit into it - if we keep bent we need to play to his strengths and provide quality service from the flanks.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
Strange how you now reckon we paid over the odds when at the time we all said what a bargain we'd bought compared to Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres and what double standards the media were using when not criticising the fee paid for those two.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
Not to the extent where he'd cost £4m less than Connor Wickham. If we only got £12m for him it would be a waste of time selling him.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
We paid big dosh for him because we were buying a 25 goal a season man and Sunderland wanted compensating for him. They've only just got round to replacing him.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
Strange how you now reckon we paid over the odds when at the time we all said what a bargain we'd bought compared to Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres and what double standards the media were using when not criticising the fee paid for those two.
Bent at the time was banging in the goals on wear side , the longer he is out of our team or not scoring the more his valuation will drop, we needed him and his goals kept us up but we played to his strengths- now we are not and he is struggling for service when he plays.
Make no mistake we have had value for money from bent and far better value than Carroll but if we are not supplying him with chances then he doesn't really fit into our style anymore.
Also he is 2 years further down the line and approaching 30 so not so much mileage left in him for someone paying big money.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
Strange how you now reckon we paid over the odds when at the time we all said what a bargain we'd bought compared to Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres and what double standards the media were using when not criticising the fee paid for those two.
Bent at the time was banging in the goals on wear side , the longer he is out of our team or not scoring the more his valuation will drop, we needed him and his goals kept us up but we played to his strengths- now we are not and he is struggling for service when he plays.
Make no mistake we have had value for money from bent and far better value than Carroll but if we are not supplying him with chances then he doesn't really fit into our style anymore.
You're still implying we paid more than he was worth.
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We'd get a lot more than £12m for him.
The longer he struggles and the less he plays then the more his valuation will drop .
He is no more valuable now than when spurs sold him- we paid big dosh because it was January and we were desperate to get him.
We paid big dosh for him because we were buying a 25 goal a season man and Sunderland wanted compensating for him. They've only just got round to replacing him.
Yes clampy , we were buying a 25 goals a season man but he certainly hasn't came close to that here- will struggle to get 10 the way things are looking.
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Darren bent was worth the money we paid - without him we would probably have gone down . We will not get back what we paid for him now though in my opinion.
Bent delivered when we had downing and young, it's not his fault they have left and his supply line has all but gone.
I like Darren bent and would love us to be playing a style where he's getting good balls into the box and banging in the goals, but the manager has his own style of play and we have to allow him to set up the team how he wants to play .
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To be fair, I thought he was well worth what we paid for him, and he probably would be if we played counter-attacking football.
However, having watched him a lot more, I think that if we want to play a passing game with lots of possession, he's a waste of a shirt.
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To be fair, I thought he was well worth what we paid for him, and he probably would be if we played counter-attacking football.
However, having watched him a lot more, I think that if we want to play a passing game with lots of possession, he's a waste of a shirt.
There comes a point where every successful team is playing a possession game. The better you get, the more other teams will sit back against you, the more you'll have to learn to break down massed defences because you just don't get enough opportunities to counter-attack to base your whole game plan around it. If a striker is a waste of a shirt playing in the most basic form of possession game, then he's incapable of being a starter in a top-4 team, and therefore (if you ask me) not worth £18m rising to £24m.
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Darren bent was worth the money we paid - without him we would probably have gone down . We will not get back what we paid for him now though in my opinion.
Bent delivered when we had downing and young, it's not his fault they have left and his supply line has all but gone.
I like Darren bent and would love us to be playing a style where he's getting good balls into the box and banging in the goals, but the manager has his own style of play and we have to allow him to set up the team how he wants to play .
Can't see much wrong with this to be honest.
But I'd add that a few goals would add to either his value (arbitrary as a premier league strikers value can be) or his confidence and so his effectiveness in the current Villa side. It's too early in to this incarnation of Claret and Blue to judge anybody too harshly but Bent needs a goal as does Gabby and Benteke. Hopefully they get one in the Norwich game.
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Well, yes, I didn't realise when we bought him how one-dimensional he was. I think I was a bit fooled by his stats.
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Well, yes, I didn't realise when we bought him how one-dimensional he was. I think I was a bit fooled by his stats.
I remember having a debate on here (pretty sure it was with Maz, among others) where I pointed out that Bent's personal goals tally across his career has risen as his team's falls, and falls as his team's rises. He doesn't add goals to a team, he takes them from the rest of the side - he demands to be the sole focus of attacks in whichever team he's playing for, and as such there tends to only be one route to goal when he's playing. I don't want to proved right in this old suspicion, and he has put in some very good all-round displays, but it seems that those games were the exception, sadly.
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No suggestion Bent is getting itchy feet? You don't think? It's all hearsay at the moment but the momentum is building. It feels quite disruptive right now. January will be interesting.
So, because the internet is full of hearsay there is momentum building. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
No. My feeling of unease about the situation is that Bent has said, more than once, in interviews since the West Brom game, that he's not happy with what's happening. Lambert's saying everything is okay, the player is taking a different stance. Bent hasn't reacted well at all, I don't think - which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see him leaving.
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I remember having a debate on here (pretty sure it was with Maz, among others) where I pointed out that Bent's personal goals tally across his career has risen as his team's falls, and falls as his team's rises. He doesn't add goals to a team, he takes them from the rest of the side - he demands to be the sole focus of attacks in whichever team he's playing for, and as such there tends to only be one route to goal when he's playing. I don't want to proved right in this old suspicion, and he has put in some very good all-round displays, but it seems that those games were the exception, sadly.
That's quite true Mont, although when we signed him you also said that he had added elements to his game and was now a more complete player.
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I remember having a debate on here (pretty sure it was with Maz, among others) where I pointed out that Bent's personal goals tally across his career has risen as his team's falls, and falls as his team's rises. He doesn't add goals to a team, he takes them from the rest of the side - he demands to be the sole focus of attacks in whichever team he's playing for, and as such there tends to only be one route to goal when he's playing. I don't want to proved right in this old suspicion, and he has put in some very good all-round displays, but it seems that those games were the exception, sadly.
That's quite true Mont, although when we signed him you also said that he had added elements to his game and was now a more complete player.
He had. Like I said, he put in some great all-round performances, particularly Arsenal away under GMac's caretakership. He does seem to have reverted to type somewhat - maybe a year under Eck's retrogressive management sent him backwards as a footballer. Maybe, then, he can re-adapt under Lambert's better tutelage, but his attitude right now suggests that might be a lost cause.
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he can re-adapt under Lambert's better tutelage
Although i grant that we do at least try to win games (well i thought we did) i cannot see how PL can be consdered a better tutor so far if i am honest
And this is from a perspective of liking PL and not being able to stand TSM
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Right now Bent reminds me of Baros in his second season. He'd come for the money pretty much, and probably with the hope of moving on to a bigger side after the move.
Baros just looked disinterested and far less effective. His strengths seemed to be waning, perhaps in part to the fact his heart wasn't in it, but I remember Baros coming back after his spell out injured and he'd lost a few yards of pace and any desire to do something unexpected which he was at least capable of.
Bent in the last year or so just looks a shadow of his former self. He doesn't look hungry. Houllier got the best out of him and in turn Bent was always busting a gut to get into positions, make himself available. His concentration was right on to pull those runs on the last man.
Now he looks miserable. He's offside almost as much as JPA used to be. I mean he's a limited footballer, we all know that, but the lack of desire is really annoying.
The West Brom game was farely typical of Bent lately, in that he didn't offer too much and looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. The only time it looked like he had some blood pumping through him was when he scored and (perhaps) wanted to make his point to the manager.
I don't like all the blame the other players are getting and the manager for Bents own failings. If you want to be a top Prem player you have to have a bit of adaptability. If we're not supposedly playing to his strengths, then he's got to try and impact the game in other ways. It's not like he's been totally bereft of chances either. He's missed a fair few this season, probably the sort of chances that in his pomp he'd have put away.
To be fair, it's partly lack of confidence but I've never had a sense from day one that Bent came here for the right reasons. In the last year I've also felt he seems to want out. Maybe without the injury in Jan, he'd have tried getting a summer move. Dunno.
If he's here next season I'll be very surprised. That said too, even though he's been poor so far this season. If he stays the whole season I'm pretty sure he'll be our top scorer. But I'd guess at around 10-15, as opposed to the 20+ we all hoped he'd deliver year on year.
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We've cried out for a player like Bent for years and now he's here we want to get rid? the simple problem is were not creating enough chances for him, Im willing to bet if he'd been on the pitch at spurs we'd have been 2 up given the Benteke chances (this is not knocking Benteke) he needs the correct service and he's not getting it. He's never worked hard or put a big shift in, it's not his game and it never will be
Agree with all of this.
It's tantamount to incompetence that we should even consider getting rid of him, when it is plain as the nose on a person's face that if you supply this player enough ammunition he will score more than he misses. I would love to see what his goals to chances ratio is since he joined. Because honestly, since that first season the actual chances he has received has been pitiful. It really is just dreadful having made the investment we did at the time to have an asset such as him wasted.
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We've cried out for a player like Bent for years and now he's here we want to get rid?
He's never worked hard or put a big shift in, it's not his game and it never will be
In which case he's not the player we've been crying out for for years. If we want to improve, we can't afford any passengers. The way Bent is talked about, the way he seems to want to have the team built around him, you'd have thought he was Zlatan or something. But he's not: he's a decent finisher and mover inside the penalty area, he's not world class, he's not the finished article and I hope he recognises this and works hard to improve.
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I think Bent will be gone as soon as Benteke starts scoring regularly (it will happen) and maybe Weimann starts popping in a few.
Bit dangerous to sell a proven premier league goalscorer when the other strikers aren't scoring plus the message of selling him in January when we'll probably be in a relegation battle but it wouldn't shock me at all.
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I am grateful to Bent. He kept us up for a season and has plugged away for us when asked. But enough is probably enough, he has his career to think of and getting relegated or being a rotation option for a bottom 5 side is probably too much to ask. For Lambert well he plays a modern style, I like that a lot, but maybe Bent doesnt fit into it, if so then we should move on.
I will say though that I thought Bent was getting more involved than ever before he was dropped. Hopefully he can get clicking with Lambert and sticks around, but I wouldnt blame him or Lambert if we parted ways.
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The one and only premier league class player we have left. All the others have gone. Lets sell him as well.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
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Is it any coincidence that he has not been picked up by any of the "top" teams considering how good his record was.
The fact of the matter is outside of the box and you may as well play with 10 men - he offers nothing as part of the team so to accomodate him emand we have to be light elsewhere
He does not tackle
Not good in the air
Does not track back
His positional sense is questionable
Thats not to say he is not a great goal poacher - he is, but just like Rush, Lineker, Owen et al in the modern game the striker has to be more than that - they have to be an allround player - Henry, RVP, Bergkamp, Rooney, Tevez etc
The ideal time to have bought Bent was when we had both Young / Milner and even then it was the pace of Gabby that made that front 3 very dangerous
blimey , I would have had owen . Lineakar or Rush down the Villa.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
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How come Benteke is getting on the end of chances and not Bent?
You can't say Benteke has better movement than Bent in the box?
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Well he's trying harder for a start.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
You are correct. I doubt if there has ever been a player who has been able to hide so much behind the lack of service that he is supposedly wanting. You even hear people who have never watched a game of football going on about it. It is becoming an urban myth.
For a centre forward at the price we paid for Bent you expect more than a six yard goal hanger. The fact is that he is creating an unpleasant atmosphere within the squad at a time that we can well do without it.
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Yep. As I said. It isn't his fault. That is the way he has always played and he has been successful doing that. Just a case now of wrong player, wrong club. He was perfect under Houllier with the players and system we had. Now that has changed he isn't.
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That is an interesting point. How come despite playing with the same players, Benteke gets far more chances than Bent does? If it's the service surely Benteke would be living off scraps as well? Rather than missing all those *cough* sitters.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
Exactly. We finally got a goals corer and people want to sell him. Sometimes people forget that you need to score goals to win games...
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I find it more surprising that paople forget that the best individuals don't always make the best team, and that just because you sell a goalscorer, it doesn't necessarily follow that you score less goals.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
Exactly. We finally got a goals corer and people want to sell him. Sometimes people forget that you need to score goals to win games...
It also helps when all eleven of the team are trying and not just going through the motions.
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That is an interesting point. How come despite playing with the same players, Benteke gets far more chances than Bent does? If it's the service surely Benteke would be living off scraps as well? Rather than missing all those *cough* sitters.
This.
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It's quite a choice isn't it? Play Benteke and we create chances for him to miss. Play Bent and we create nothing for him to score.
Maybe the answer is to try Weimann.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
Exactly. We finally got a goals corer
I always wondered how the holes for the posts got there.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
Exactly. We finally got a goals corer
I always wondered how the holes for the posts got there.
Does a damn fine job to be fair. I have never seen our posts wobble about or fall over.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
You are correct. I doubt if there has ever been a player who has been able to hide so much behind the lack of service that he is supposedly wanting. You even hear people who have never watched a game of football going on about it. It is becoming an urban myth.
For a centre forward at the price we paid for Bent you expect more than a six yard goal hanger. The fact is that he is creating an unpleasant atmosphere within the squad at a time that we can well do without it.
When you get right down to it, that's the truth, Ruth.
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so certain peolpe want to sell Bent and get money in to buy other players , a bit more creative etc etc etc
Then what will we say then? we need a goalscorer .
We have one . Play to his strengths .Bent is not the problem , its getting the damn ball to him.
Exactly. We finally got a goals corer
I always wondered how the holes for the posts got there.
Does a damn fine job to be fair. I have never seen our posts wobble about or fall over.
Not even the nets do that.
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I know Bent wasn't 100% fit in August, early sept but the myth that we're not creating anything for him is untrue. His conversion rate is 15%. You'd expect a bit more from a supposed master finisher and poacher. Particularly in a few games early there were instances when Bent was put through only to dwell on it too long, or fluff chances that he'd have scored at his best. Some people like to paint him as if he should have a comic relief video telling of his harrowing plight.
If he worked harder and got more involved, taking some pressure off the midfielders, maybe in turn there'd be more chances come his way, but I don't see much desire by him. There's been instances too when we've had midfielders get into good positions only to have no one, including Bent, in the box.
He's got to stop moping and start putting more effort in. As poor as CNZ is still, he's at least beginning to put a bit more effort in now, more than Bent is IMO.
If he doesn't then I'm really not too bothered if we sell him.
Plus there's a big danger in putting all the onus on Bent. It's not that we're not creating enough for him, we're just not creating enough full stop. We need goals from midfield. We need to score more from set pieces, which we continue to look utterly toothless from. Clark has it in him to score from the back like Laursen used to, so hopefully he'll get more.
Ideal world, we spend 10-15 in Jan on some quality midfielders and the team is more effective back and front because of it, and in turn Bent scores more.
Real world, we don't have that money and would have to raise it selling Bent. Then the liklihood of us re-investing it in the team, on decent, developed players is also minimal.
For me though, selling Bent would make us no worse, and no better. Regardless of Bent staying or going, we need new players. Quality.
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How come Benteke is getting on the end of chances and not Bent?
You can't say Benteke has better movement than Bent in the box?
The two so called 'sitters' that Benteke had at Spurs and Fulham came from, guess what....some decent service into the box. The Spurs one came from an Albrighton cross and the Fulham one came from a ball into the box from N'Zogbia.
Other than on overhit cross that Gabby and Bent both went for, i can't remember any good balls into the box whilst Bent was on the pitch at Fulham.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
The fact is that he is creating an unpleasant atmosphere within the squad at a time that we can well do without it.
We don't know that for a fact do we?
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Reading the two threads together - this one and the Benteke one - it seems to me that posters generally appreciate more the energy that Benteke has to at least make goal-attempts and his willingness to put in a shift; compared to Bent's rather languid performances.
I actually think Bent has been marginally more dynamic than in previous seasons: maybe what we are seeing is PL's efforts to get more of a complete game from Bent. Perhaps by January we will see a different player; one that has a more team-focussed game and creates more space for colleagues ...
.. if he has that sort of transition in him.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
The fact is that he is creating an unpleasant atmosphere within the squad at a time that we can well do without it.
We don't know that for a fact do we?
Come on dave clark 5, your constant criticism of bent is one thing but to say for fact he's creating an unpleasant atmosphere is totally unfounded and uncalled for.
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How come Benteke is getting on the end of chances and not Bent?
You can't say Benteke has better movement than Bent in the box?
The two so called 'sitters' that Benteke had at Spurs and Fulham came from, guess what....some decent service into the box. The Spurs one came from an Albrighton cross and the Fulham one came from a ball into the box from N'Zogbia.
Other than on overhit cross that Gabby and Bent both went for, i can't remember any good balls into the box whilst Bent was on the pitch at Fulham.
Sods law clampy, I would think bent would have converted those chances but it's typical of our season so far, once we get a few breaks I think benteke and bent will convert chances , the main thing is we create chances for them .
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I believe Bent is the case of right club, wrong time.
I think we'd have finished top 4 if we'd signed him from Spurs in summer 2009 for 10m instead of MON signing Downing for 12m with his broken leg and generally shite level of performance when he did play that season.
Ask anyone what we were missing from those years and aswell as more creative nous, a clinical striker as even though Gabby was playing well, he still had his three month goal droughts, Carew was often injured and the other alternatives were Harewood and Heskey.
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I believe Bent is the case of right club, wrong time.
I think we'd have finished top 4 if we'd signed him from Spurs in summer 2009 for 10m instead of MON signing Downing for 12m with his broken leg and generally shite level of performance when he did play that season.
Ask anyone what we were missing from those years and aswell as more creative nous, a clinical striker as even though Gabby was playing well, he still had his three month goal droughts, Carew was often injured and the other alternatives were Harewood and Heskey.
You may be right, although MON probably would have ended up playing Bent at right back.
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Reading the two threads together - this one and the Benteke one - it seems to me that posters generally appreciate more the energy that Benteke has to at least make goal-attempts and his willingness to put in a shift; compared to Bent's rather languid performances.
I actually think Bent has been marginally more dynamic than in previous seasons: maybe what we are seeing is PL's efforts to get more of a complete game from Bent. Perhaps by January we will see a different player; one that has a more team-focussed game and creates more space for colleagues ...
.. if he has that sort of transition in him.
I would be of that thought. Benteke poses much more of a physical presence up front, whereas Bent often make a token effort to challenge defenders and win the ball in the air. I still don't think it is a case of either or though, as I think it could still be our best forward partnership.
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I don't get all this 'play to his strengths' talk. Sadly we no longer have quality wide players in the squad so how exactly can we do that? Sometimes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt with.
The fact is that he is creating an unpleasant atmosphere within the squad at a time that we can well do without it.
We don't know that for a fact do we?
Come on dave clark 5, your constant criticism of bent is one thing but to say for fact he's creating an unpleasant atmosphere is totally unfounded and uncalled for.
Just note that, Eastie. Then come back to me in January. My criticism of Bent is triggered by his own bleating to the press and information that he is causing bad feeling. Don't try to make it my
fault. Bent would do his cause no harm if he went out of his way to be more approachable to our fans. Apart from the training day, he ducks out of the way.
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Who says Bent is creating an unpleasant atmosphere?
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Who says Bent is creating an unpleasant atmosphere?
Russ Abbott, and he knows about happy atmospheres.
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Who says Bent is creating an unpleasant atmosphere?
It will all be revealed very soon.
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So in other words, it is heresay so far
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So in other words, it is heresay so far
No.
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Well I certainly have not heard or read any comments about him causing any problems within the camp, yes he was pist off at being dropped, but would you prefer him not giving a stuff about it? Have heard that he sought the sky team after his goal against West Brom and find that strange, considering he would be the obvious person to interview anyway
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Well I certainly have not heard or read any comments about him causing any problems within the camp, yes he was pist off at being dropped, but would you prefer him not giving a stuff about it? Have heard that he sought the sky team after his goal against West Brom and find that strange, considering he would be the obvious person to interview anyway
'He sought the sky team'? When I left the ground, he had a job to talk to anyone.
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Clearly the Sun have unearthed the reason for his dense. It s ex Mrs Ridgewell, the one who walked away from marrying him, Kirsty MClaren keeping our Darren awake and stressed!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4612606/darren-bent-scores-with-rivals-old-striker.html
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Honestly that kind of bullshit story makes me angry. Its nobodies business who he is shagging. There is plenty wrong on the pitch to have a go at without intruding on the blokes personal life.
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Honestly that kind of bullshit story makes me angry. Its nobodies business who he is shagging. There is plenty wrong on the pitch to have a go at without intruding on the blokes personal life.
Agree with that 100%.
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Later in the paper he said he's happy at Villa and doesn't want to leave.
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Later in the paper he said he's happy at Villa and doesn't want to leave.
He said he won't force the issue bu handing in a transfer request. At this point I think its gone beyond whether he'll leave, now it's about when, where and how much.
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Later in the paper he said he's happy at Villa and doesn't want to leave.
He said he won't force the issue bu handing in a transfer request. At this point I think its gone beyond whether he'll leave, now it's about when, where and how much.
I tend to agree.
The worry is that by using him as a bit part player and not playing to his strengths as each month passes by Bent's resale value drops. As things stand I'd be surprised if we got more than £5m for him in January.
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Yeah, none of that's going to help. I think we'll end up with about 10-12 million after he moves to QPR
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If we sell him we'd get 12-16 million for him. Depending on whether a bidding war started.
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A bidding war? Don't think there will be much chance of that. Which clubs would take him ?
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Liverpool.
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A bidding war? Don't think there will be much chance of that. Which clubs would take him ?
It would depend when we sell him and the situation of other clubs at the time.
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Liverpool.
You'd struggle to get a bidding war with only one club bidding.
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Liverpool and QPR are the obvious ones. If we sold him in Jan other clubs could take a punt depending on their situation. Stoke for example, if they are down the wrong end they may try a glory signing, or even Spurs. Imagine if Defoe is out for a few months and they are chasing a top 4 spot. As I said, it would depend when we sold him and the situation at other clubs.
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Darren the club has invested 24m plus your 4 year contact on you. We are playing the shittest team in the division but you ain't playing in preference to a burnt out player who has scored 1 goal in a year of prem football. Then I will bring you on with 20 mins to go to hold the ball up which you can't do. I would tell Lambert to Fuck off!
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In fairness Gabby played a role in the goal that I don't think Bent would have.
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In fairness Gabby played a role in the goal that I don't think Bent would have.
[/quote
One eyed as usual
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In fairness Gabby played a role in the goal that I don't think Bent would have.
Yep
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How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
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How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
Gabby was fukin abysmal. Darren Bent must be fuming to see that sack if shit start ahead of him. And to say Gabby provided the goal is hilarious. Terrible defending and a super finish
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How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
Gabby was fukin abysmal. Darren Bent must be fuming to see that sack if shit start ahead of me. And to say Gabby provided the goal is hilarious. Terrible defending and a super finish
Do you want to stop making untrue claims? I think we've cleared up that i'm not one eyed, feel free to apologise, and now I have to point out I never said he provided it. I said he played a part in it. There is a difference.
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How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
Gabby was fukin abysmal. Darren Bent must be fuming to see that sack if shit start ahead of me. And to say Gabby provided the goal is hilarious. Terrible defending and a super finish
Do you want to stop making untrue claims? I think we've cleared up that i'm not one eyed, feel free to apologise, and now I have to point out I never said he provided it. I said he played a part in it. There is a difference.
No apology from me. So a shanked cross makes it all good from Gabby. What else did he do all game? And for that matter the last 2 years?
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How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
Gabby was fukin abysmal. Darren Bent must be fuming to see that sack if shit start ahead of me. And to say Gabby provided the goal is hilarious. Terrible defending and a super finish
Do you want to stop making untrue claims? I think we've cleared up that i'm not one eyed, feel free to apologise, and now I have to point out I never said he provided it. I said he played a part in it. There is a difference.
No apology from me. So a shanked cross makes it all good from Gabby. What else did he do all game? And for that matter the last 2 years?
He didn't cross. Keep trying and you might manage a post that doesn't contain factual inaccuracies.
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No apology from me. So a shanked cross makes it all good from Gabby. What else did he do all game? And for that matter the last 2 years?
Not wanting to get involved in an argument that doesn't involve me but have you actually read what PWS wrote?
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u
How am I one eyed? I've said numerous times that I wouldn't be starting Gabby and have criticised him a load on here the past year. Check the pre-match thread if you like.
He did however play a role in the goal which I don't think Bent would have, and i'm not going to pretend it didn't happen just to suit my argument.
Gabby was fukin abysmal. Darren Bent must be fuming to see that sack if shit start ahead of me. And to say Gabby provided the goal is hilarious. Terrible defending and a super finish
Do you want to stop making untrue claims? I think we've cleared up that i'm not one eyed, feel free to apologise, and now I have to point out I never said he provided it. I said he played a part in it. There is a difference.
No apology from me. So a shanked cross makes it all good from Gabby. What else did he do all game? And for that matter the last 2 years?
He didn't cross. Keep trying and you might manage a post that doesn't contain factual inaccuracies.
Take your claret and blue glasses off please.
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Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
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Gabby played a part in the build up to holmans cross but in all honesty did little else all game , should not have started up front , Weimann would be a better foil for benteke in my view with Carruthers out wide .
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Gabby played a part in the build up to holmans cross but in all honesty did little else all game , should not have started up front , Weimann would be a better fool for benteke in my view with Carruthers out wide .
If there's one thing our team doesn't need at the minute, it's more youth team players.
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It should be Bent / Benteke up front.
Why isn't lambert able to see this ??
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Albrighton , gabby and nzogbia have all failed to provide quality width, Carruthers has the confidence to run at and take on players and cross the ball and that's something our strikers need .
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It should be Bent / Benteke up front.
Why isn't lambert able to see this ??
It should be Benteke and Weimann if you are going to play two strikers, based on current form.
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Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
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Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
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y
Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
So Gabby is there to provide goals not score them?
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y
Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
So Gabby is there to provide goals not score them?
I never said that either.
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Albrighton , gabby and nzogbia have all failed to provide quality width, Carruthers has the confidence to run at and take on players and cross the ball and that's something our strikers need .
But it'll do Carruthers no good if Lambert insists on playing without wingers.
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y
Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
So Gabby is there to provide goals not score them?
I never said that either.
Yawn.
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y
Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
So Gabby is there to provide goals not score them?
I never said that either.
Yawn.
Is trying to read what's actually written proving tiring?
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y
Do you want to borrow them, might help you see things?
No thank you. Gabby starting was a disgrace. His performance along wirh others was shocking. Gabby is there to score goals nothing else, and he doesn't.
And I haven't said otherwise. despite your claims. Which is why I think the glasses might help you read what I actually write rather than what you think I write.
So Gabby is there to provide goals not score them?
I never said that either.
Yawn.
Is trying to read what's actually written proving tiring?
Was Gabby shit like most others? Should he start ahead of our 24m England striker? Oh yea because he assisted in our goal.
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For the final time. I never said that. It really isn't that hard to grasp.
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I've read some good analysis today on here. Well done nearly everybody.
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For the final time. I never said that. It really isn't that hard to grasp.
Sorry you didn't. But you do love Gabby even tho he is busted.
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For the final time. I never said that. It really isn't that hard to grasp.
Sorry you didn't. But you do love Gabby even tho he is busted.
I've said that much as I love Gabby, he shouldn't be starting. I'm guessing that's what you mean. Does that still make me one eyed and wearing claret and blue glasses?
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uFor the final time. I never said that. It really isn't that hard to grasp.
Sorry you didn't. But you do love Gabby even tho he is busted.
I've said that much as I love Gabby, he shouldn't be starting. I'm guessing that's what you mean. Does that still make me one eyed and wearing claret and blue glasses?
Yes on both counts. Like me
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Bloody hell, Tarzan if you're there could you explain to your brother please what PWS actually said?
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Gabby played a part in the build up to holmans cross but in all honesty did little else all game , should not have started up front , Weimann would be a better foil for benteke in my view with Carruthers out wide .
A couple ten minute cameos, as good as they were, does not make a top player. And that's what this team needs right now.
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Later in the paper he said he's happy at Villa and doesn't want to leave.
He said he won't force the issue bu handing in a transfer request. At this point I think its gone beyond whether he'll leave, now it's about when, where and how much.
Yes that's my take on it aswell. Originally I thought he'd leave in the summer but wouldn't shock me if he now went in January.
What message would that send out though, selling a proven premier league striker if as I expected we're firmly in a relegation battle. Two years ago we were buying him to save us from relegation.
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SHQ 2 years ago we had a team set up that could carry and feed him, we dont anymore.
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Fact Mr Lambert doesnt appear to rate the second highest current goalscoring striker in the Premiership.
Fact Bent has scored goals for us and every other club he has played for.
Fact Bent thrives on accurate crosses hit at speed.
Fact We have no one who can provide this service.
Fact Mr Lambert will sell him in January
Fact Mr Lerner will pocket about 10mil
Fact Whats the use of that to the club?
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Fact Mr Lambert doesnt appear to rate the second highest current goalscoring striker in the Premiership.
Fact Bent has scored goals for us and every other club he has played for.
Fact Bent thrives on accurate crosses hit at speed.
Fact We have no one who can provide this service.
Fact Mr Lambert will sell him in January
Fact Mr Lerner will pocket about 10mil
Fact Whats the use of that to the club?
Thanks Rafa
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Totally agree with all those facts Ron.
Bent is off there is no doubt, and we are in for a season of further struggle.
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West London Sport(I dunno) are reporting Fulham for 12 million in January.
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Bent and Berbatov.
Fulham fans will be in wonderland.
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Fact Mr Lambert will sell him in January
Fact Mr Lerner will pocket about 10mil
Fact Whats the use of that to the club?
It might be useful IF it brings the day closer to when Lerner finally sells up. For the last 2 years it's been a death by a thousand cuts thanks to those bullshitters in the boardroom and until they go they'll be our biggest problem.
I just hope he hasn't already got us relegated before then.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
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Gabby played a part in the build up to holmans cross but in all honesty did little else all game , should not have started up front , Weimann would be a better fool for benteke in my view with Carruthers out wide .
If there's one thing our team doesn't need at the minute, it's more youth team players.
It is probably all we have got but you are correct. We need a grizzly 35 year old in midfield to start with.
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Fact Mr Lambert will sell him in January
Fact Mr Lerner will pocket about 10mil
Fact Whats the use of that to the club?
It might be useful IF it brings the day closer to when Lerner finally sells up. For the last 2 years it's been a death by a thousand cuts thanks to those bullshitters in the boardroom and until they go they'll be our biggest problem.
I just hope he hasn't already got us relegated before then.
One look a the Cleveland Browns should ring alarm bells for us.
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SHQ 2 years ago we had a team set up that could carry and feed him, we dont anymore.
I think we do. Lambert just doesn't want to play them.
Surely on the way they played before coming to Villa Park most premiere league clubs would snap your hand off at Ireland and N'Zogbia.
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Gabby should have been loaned out at the start of the season.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
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In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
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Gabby should have been loaned out at the start of the season.
Gabby should be loaned out to the championship now. Would suit him.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
Personally I'd play Benteke upfront on his own. Our midfield isn't good enough to not put 5 in there.
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In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
ffs , cascarini can f**k off with thoughts . any way what was Bent suppose to do , coming on with ten men. If I was Bent , I would want out of the team quick . I could understand PL If we were winning games and half way up the table but we look dire and cant belive he is not using Bent in the right way , but thats alright PL , you keep using super scorer Gabby.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
Personally I'd play Benteke upfront on his own. Our midfield isn't good enough to not put 5 in there.
In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
ffs , cascarini can f**k off with thoughts . any way what was Bent suppose to do , coming on with ten men. If I was Bent , I would want out of the team quick . I could understand PL If we were winning games and half way up the table but we look dire and cant belive he is not using Bent in the right way , but thats alright PL , you keep using super scorer Gabby.
Gabby did - of course - set up Benteke's goal on Saturday.
Just sayin', like.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
Personally I'd play Benteke upfront on his own. Our midfield isn't good enough to not put 5 in there.
In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
ffs , cascarini can f**k off with thoughts . any way what was Bent suppose to do , coming on with ten men. If I was Bent , I would want out of the team quick . I could understand PL If we were winning games and half way up the table but we look dire and cant belive he is not using Bent in the right way , but thats alright PL , you keep using super scorer Gabby.
Gabby did - of course - set up Benteke's goal on Saturday.
Just sayin', like.
I thought it was Holman who crossed the ball in to Benteke?
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I thought it was Holman who crossed the ball in to Benteke?
It was, but it was Gabby who pulled down the ball and played Holman in.
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In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
Bloody hell - talk about pots, kettles and black - that lazy twonk hardly pulled up any trees whilst playing for us
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
Personally I'd play Benteke upfront on his own. Our midfield isn't good enough to not put 5 in there.
In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
ffs , cascarini can f**k off with thoughts . any way what was Bent suppose to do , coming on with ten men. If I was Bent , I would want out of the team quick . I could understand PL If we were winning games and half way up the table but we look dire and cant belive he is not using Bent in the right way , but thats alright PL , you keep using super scorer Gabby.
Gabby did - of course - set up Benteke's goal on Saturday.
Just sayin', like.
so he held the ball up for a few seconds before he gave it to Holman , big deal. Hes a striker , hes about as potent as my 103 year old grandad.
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I just get the feeling that Bent is not really helping himself when reading the headline "DARREN : PLAY ME AND CHRIS - Villa striker insists he can partner ace Benteke" in today's Evening Mail. Of course the quotes attributed to Bent in the article don't quite have the sensationalism of the headline, but I would have thought such a story is the last thing he needs at the moment.
Saying that, I still think Benteke and Bent is potentially our best forward partnership and it is one that should be given an opportunity.
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We have so many attacking players (Ireland, N'Zogbia, Gabby, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Albrighton and Bannan at a push) and yet we are shocking at both creating and in scoring.
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Benteke would probably respond with a 'PLAY ME AND GABBY', were he daft enough to share his opinions with the press.
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I'd go Bent and Benteke with Gabby in a midfield position.
I'd go for Bent and Benteke with Gabby nowhere near the team if Lambert insists on playing this system. If not an he sees sense then I'd rotate Bent and Benteke as lone striker.
Personally I'd play Benteke upfront on his own. Our midfield isn't good enough to not put 5 in there.
In 'The Game' in the Times today, Cascarino hammers Bent's attitude on Saturday....
ffs , cascarini can f**k off with thoughts . any way what was Bent suppose to do , coming on with ten men. If I was Bent , I would want out of the team quick . I could understand PL If we were winning games and half way up the table but we look dire and cant belive he is not using Bent in the right way , but thats alright PL , you keep using super scorer Gabby.
Gabby did - of course - set up Benteke's goal on Saturday.
Just sayin', like.
so he held the ball up for a few seconds before he gave it to Holman , big deal. Hes a striker , hes about as potent as my 103 year old grandad.
Potent or impotent??? ;)
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As potent. It means the same.
Not that I agree like. It might not be that big a deal holding the ball up for a few seconds and laying it off, but it seems beyond Bent. And they've both got three goals this season.
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Anyone notice Christian Benteke on Young Apprentice last night - obviously filmed before he joined us.
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No, did he have any ideas on how Villa can raise investment?
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Anyone notice Christian Benteke on Young Apprentice last night - obviously filmed before he joined us.
Looked more like chris Eubanks to me.
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We have so many attacking players (Ireland, N'Zogbia, Gabby, Bent, Benteke, Weimann, Albrighton and Bannan at a push) and yet we are shocking at both creating and in scoring.
I would say that is because some of those attacking players are playing well below their capabilities and some aren't good enough. It also doesn't help that the more experienced and talented players in that list are also the least reliable when it comes to putting in effort and performances. Out of those listed, I would only like to see us keep Benteke, Weimann, Bent and possibly Gabby going forward.
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Benteke would probably respond with a 'PLAY ME AND GABBY', were he daft enough to share his opinions with the press.
There is no chance that we will see a - Gabby: 'Play me and Darren' headline, not unless someone twists Gabby's words.
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So I hear.
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Anyone notice Christian Benteke on Young Apprentice last night - obviously filmed before he joined us.
I said it as soon as i seen him (David) I then had to get a picture up on the net to show the missus why i had said it several times at which stage she (out of boredem) went for a struggling enthusiastic "0h ye" :-)))
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No rift. Bent has not even travelled to Sunderland !!
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No rift. Bent has not even travelled to Sunderland !!
Foot injury picked up in training yesterday
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No rift. Bent has not even travelled to Sunderland !!
You know the press will make a meal of it though
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If Benteke scores today..Bent is bye byes!
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If Benteke scores today..Bent is bye byes!
Brilliant, just what we need. >:(
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Gabby did it and that is fine by me. Christian can do it another day! Up da Villa..that is the important thing!! UTV!!
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From the ever reliable Mirror.
Aston Villa are already looking at replacements for Darren Bent – and are ready to chase Saint-Etienne striker Pierre Aubameyang, writes The Sunday People.
Boss Paul Lambert has frozen Bent out of the first-team picture at Villa Park and looks certain to flog him in January, with Fulham interested.
Aubameyang is believed to be one of the strikers Lambert has earmarked as Bent’s replacement.
The 23-year-old began his career with Milan but moved to France last year.
He has been in good form for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 this term and Villa scouts believe he would adapt quickly to the style of play in England.
Aubameyang, who once said he would love to play in the Premier League, represented Gabon in the London Olympics, scoring once in three appearances.
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Starting to think Bents departure is inevitable. As long as PL gets to spend the proceeds I have no issues with it.
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It's really up to Bent himself isn't it? No one has a devine right to a place, so he'll have to fight to get into the side whether he wants to leave or not.
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Doesn't strike me he's a fighter, more a moaner / feel sorry for himself play the victim type.
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I have full confidence in Lambert,and if he wants to ship him out,then fair enough. I just wonder who's got the cash to give us most of what we spent on him,i could see Liverpool wanting him,but they're skint.
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I can cope with the loss of Bent as long as all of the money is reinvested. Randy has enough credit in the bank for me to trust that he will do this.
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We dont have the time, money or the players currently to build a team around Mr Bent......sell him and re-invest mainly in the midfield
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I have full confidence in Lambert,and if he wants to ship him out,then fair enough. I just wonder who's got the cash to give us most of what we spent on him,i could see Liverpool wanting him,but they're skint.
Doubt we would get close to what we paid , when we signed him he was banging the goals in , the longer he's out of the team the more his valuation will suffer.
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I have full confidence in Lambert,and if he wants to ship him out,then fair enough. I just wonder who's got the cash to give us most of what we spent on him,i could see Liverpool wanting him,but they're skint.
Doubt we would get close to what we paid , when we signed him he was banging the goals in , the longer he's out of the team the more his valuation will suffer.
It was £18m wasnt it and then various add ons..........We wont get more than £10m I would reckon
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Yep,i was thinking we'd do well to get £12 million or so.
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Yep,i was thinking we'd do well to get £12 million or so.
If QPR come sniffing id swap him for Granero and some cash :-)
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We'll get between £10-15million for him depending on who goes after him. Which overall will still leave us in profit from having him as a Villa player.
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Liverpool will offer us Downing for him.
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Liverpool will offer us Downing for him.
They can do one.
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We dont have the time, money or the players currently to build a team around Mr Bent......sell him and re-invest mainly in the midfield
Got it in one!
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I just don't see how he can be good for dressing room morale ambling around on 80k a week while others sweat blood & tears on the pitch for a fraction of that
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Isn't Given supposedly on around £70K a week and sits on the bench? How is that any better for morale.
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Isn't Given supposedly on around £70K a week and sits on the bench? How is that any better for morale.
I think the difference is that Given has not put a transfer request in.
I think Given is on much less which is why he was given a 5 year contract, to compensate the difference.
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Isn't Given supposedly on around £70K a week and sits on the bench? How is that any better for morale.
I think the difference is that Given has not put a transfer request in.
I think Given is on much less which is why he was given a 5 year contract, to compensate the difference.
I think it was widely reported at the time that given was on big wages , I wouldn't be surprised if he's on £60000 a week or so.
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It was widely reported that Given is on £50k a week.
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I seem to remember the figure of £63,000pw being bandied about for Given.
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It was widely reported that Given is on £50k a week.
Not bad for 90 minutes sitting on a bench.
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50k or 60k. It's fucking obscene.
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Agreed. And a bit stupid of us as well I reckon.
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Given may leave in January himself if he can found someone to pay his wages, might even go on loan somewhere if maybe it's a 50:50 wage split?
He could've just sat on the bench at Man. City if he was content to be back up.
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I seem to remember the figure of £63,000pw being bandied about for Given.
Nah, that was our Emile.
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Worth every penny.
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That Pierre bloke of St. Etienne seems quite good when I saw him play last season.
22 goals in 56 games since 2011 and 8 in 26 for Gabon.
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I reckon there are plenty more Dutch and Scandies out there who'd love to play for us.
The ghost of Sleeuvenhoek is still here.. We need another 'Tulip'!!
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'Bent out of shape: Why more and more Villa fans are starting to see the method behind Lambert axing his £24m striker' http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/why-more-and-more-aston-villa-fans-1424913
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'Bent out of shape: Why more and more Villa fans are starting to see the method behind Lambert axing his £24m striker' http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/why-more-and-more-aston-villa-fans-1424913
tsk tsk, been reading the forums again.
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Any chance of a copy and paste? I'm not exactly snowed under here at work.
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You will be hard pushed to find a fall from grace in the Premier League as dramatic as Darren Bent's under Paul Lambert this season.
Since signing for a club record £24m nearly two years ago, Bent could expect to be the first name on the Villa team sheet and even started the season as skipper.
Now his complete absence from Saturday's squad to play Sunderland did not even come as a major shock.
It might have been an injury which kept the forward off the bench for the trip to his old club.
But, if recent matches are anything to go by, a cameo role is all the striker could have expected anyway.
Do not expect him to be restored to Villa's starting XI to face Manchester United this weekend either.
Nor would a January departure come as a surprise despite both player and manager playing down a breakdown in their relationship.
There was initially some sympathy for Bent at his axing - when he was first dropped for the game with West Brom in September he had scored in his previous start at Southampton.
However, the lion's share of supporters are right behind the manager's decision and there is starting to look like some method in what, at one time, looked like madness from Lambert.
When Bent played in the same team as Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, he had the service suited to his predatory game based in and around the six-yard box.
Without those two wing wonders, Villa have to play a different way.
The job for Lambert has been harnessing an attack still worth in excess of £40m.
As Alex McLeish will testify, doing so is easier said than done with players like Gabby Agbonlahor, Stephen Ireland and Charles N'Zogbia all blighted by inconsistency.
It is early days and it will take more than wins over Swindon and Sunderland to prove Villa have turned the corner - how far they have come will be tested in their next three fixtures against the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal.
But there are at least finally a few signs Lambert has found a formula.
The blistering pace of Agbonlahor and tireless industry of Andreas Weimann has combined promisingly with the creative guile of Ireland, while Christian Benteke, the spearhead, already looks a very sound investment at £7.5m.
It is worth noting Benteke is a regular starter for Belgium ahead of Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku, who have both made good starts to the season in the Premier League with Everton and West Brom respectively.
You would not put your house on him with a chance quite like Bent, yet the Belgian is a muscular mountain of a man with a tidy touch and can bring others into play, as he did with the knock-down for Agbonlahor's winner on Saturday.
That made it two goals apiece for the pair from their last two matches.
Lambert's summer business proved he is not interested in superstars, with the Dutch league and lower divisions the main sources for his recruitment drive.
Price tags and reputations count for nothing - he said it himself - and he has stuck to his word by freezing out household names like Stephen Warnock and Alan Hutton and leaving the likes of Shay Given, N'Zogbia and Bent warming the bench.
The big criticism of Bent is he lacks a creative dimension, nor he is the type to run the channels. What he is, of course, is a deadly finisher.
One seasoned Villa observer recently remarked that the problem with him is it is like playing with 10 men if he doesn't score.
Right now, it is a risk Lambert seems unwilling to take.
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Cheers Spangley, much appreciated.
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Cheers Spangley, much appreciated.
glad I could help :-)
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Out 'for the foreseeable future' with that injury, according to the BBC
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Beeb news just reporting Bent's ankle injury will keep him out for the foreseeable future. Not on the website yet
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Let me guess. Would Jan1st be the date in mind. Darren will be off to a club that appreciates his goals. Our loss.
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With Bent being injured Benteke is all the more important to us. An injury to Benteke now would be bad news indeed.