Darren Bent

[glasses]

Bent isn't our best player. He is our best finisher, our biggest asset, our most valuable player, our highest paid player (allegedly, granted), but not the best player.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Why would anyone want to sell their best player?

You are aware that you support Aston Villa :-)

But the fans wanting to sell their best players? That's not Aston Villa, surely?

[Dante Lavelli]

If we sell him in January, I am cutting up my season ticket.

Can I have it instead?

Does anyone know a good free website that records distance covered and average positions, number of touches etc of players?

[Concrete John]

I don't think we need to shape the whole team around him, just play players and a formation to create chances, which he'll then put away.  I don't think his all round game is as poor as some make out, but we do get more out of Gabby, goals aside, when he plays upfront.  That's why I think 4-4-2 is he best system for us.  Between Petrov, Clark and Herd I think we have a midfielders who can for a central 2, with Petrov being the one to get forward more.  One reason I'm for this is that I can't see Ireland's form lasting, so ultimately I think this is what we'll need to shape up like. 

[monkeyboy]

Why would anyone want to sell their best player?

You are aware that you support Aston Villa :-)

But the fans wanting to sell their best players? That's not Aston Villa, surely?
[/quote

agreed

[Dante Lavelli]

Bent isn't our best player. He is our best finisher, our biggest asset, our most valuable player, our highest paid player (allegedly, granted), but not the best player.

Definitely.  I'd say Gabby is better than Bent which is why I can understand if (not saying he is) he's getting pissed off with the Bent adulation.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

If we sell him in January, I am cutting up my season ticket.

Can I have it instead?

Does anyone know a good free website that records distance covered and average positions, number of touches etc of players?

Not sure, but does anyone know a good free website that records the amount of goals players have scored over the last few years?

Oh, and no you can't have it.

[Dante Lavelli]

That's why I think 4-4-2 is he best system for us.  Between Petrov, Clark and Herd I think we have a midfielders who can for a central 2, with Petrov being the one to get forward more.  One reason I'm for this is that I can't see Ireland's form lasting, so ultimately I think this is what we'll need to shape up like. 

I do not like the 442 formation but as you say the enigma that is Ireland could make it an easy option for us to adopt.  I'd say Ireland deserves as few more games though yet as Bent and Ireland could work brilliantly if they can form an understanding.

[Dante Lavelli]

When was Bent's best form and what formation did they play?

Ipswich - no idea but I think most of it was in the championship.
Charlton - Didn't he play alone up front, with the team playing a counter attacking 351.  More wingbacks than wingers (rommerdhaal on the right?)
Spurs - A largely unsuccessful period being first reserve within a 442, either partnering crouch or defoe
Sunderland - Did he form a decent partnership with Jones?  If he did, I do not remember them having stand out wingers.  Henderson or a converted rightback playing on the right and Malbranque on the left?

Maybe we should be concentrating on sliding more passes between the CBs rather than wingers.  Does any one have a better memory than me?  When was his best form?

[Concrete John]

That's why I think 4-4-2 is he best system for us.  Between Petrov, Clark and Herd I think we have a midfielders who can for a central 2, with Petrov being the one to get forward more.  One reason I'm for this is that I can't see Ireland's form lasting, so ultimately I think this is what we'll need to shape up like. 

I do not like the 442 formation but as you say the enigma that is Ireland could make it an easy option for us to adopt.  I'd say Ireland deserves as few more games though yet as Bent and Ireland could work brilliantly if they can form an understanding.

I totally agree they could, but I'm not convinced that he's turned over a new leaf and if this form brings a half decent offer during the January window, then I'd take it.

[Villafirst]

He looked totally uninterested against Swansea, and on that evidence I would sell him to free up money to buy the players who are going to give 100%

[ktvillan]

It seems to be a trait of some Villa fans over the years to favour players who put a lot of graft and effort in over those who are more languid but maybe offer more in terms of technical ability.  I don't care if Bent doesn't do all the other stuff and run around that much as long as we get the ball to him regularly in the box and he provides us with those precise finishes that have given him an excellent goals to games ratio throughout his career *.    But then I was one of the few who enjoyed watching Ginola in a Villa shirt.   

* figures from Wikipedia show appearances, goals, games per goal
Bent
2001–2005   Ipswich Town   122   48      2.541666667
2005–2007   Charlton Athletic   68   31      2.193548387
2007–2009   Tottenham Hotspur   60   18      3.333333333
2009–2011   Sunderland   58   32      1.8125
2011–                  Aston Villa   32   15      2.133333333
               
Total                                 340   144      2.361111111
            
Gabby for comparative purposes               
               
2005–   Aston Villa             194   53      3.660377358
2005   → Watford (loan)                2   0      
2005   → Sheffield Wed (loan)         8   0      
               
Total                              204   53      3.849056604

[TonyD]

He clearly is not a happy bunny at the moment.  He is not getting the service.   Now we have Clark to strength the midflield I would bench the Zog and play with one winger i.e. Marco and then bring Bannan into the side - for a long spell. 

Don't be suprised if he goes this month though.  AM still has Emile as back up.

[Rick_avfc]

He looked totally uninterested against Swansea, and on that evidence I would sell him to free up money to buy the players who are going to give 100%

So because he looked uninterested in his 1st game back from injury we should sell him?  Am a bit miffed by that comment. 

[NeilH]

I honestly cannot believe what I am reading on here. Given the myriad of problems that we currently have right now (not least the tense relationship between the fans and board), do you honestly think that the board would sanction the sale of our key goalscorer one year after laying out for him? In addition, if they were stupid enough to hit the club self-destruct button, do you honestly think we’d get anyone in remotely of his calibre?
He needs service that’s all and if anyone thinks that getting rid and replacing him with some sort of sticky plaster solution involving Championship players and or Zamora is a solution, then frankly they need their head examining.