Bent out for rest of season

[littlevillain]

The fact is we are a much more balanced side without him.

[curiousorange]

There is a silver lining for Bent at least - it's probably the last time he'll ever play under McLeish, one way or another.

[Legion]

In what way?

[old man villa fan]

The fact is we are a much more balanced side without him.

Is that a fact or just coincidence that the 3 or 4 games he missed was at the same time N'Zogbia and Ireland started to find some form having being played in their best positions and Clark came back into the team.

If Gabby was not a local kid come good would we be having this discussion.

The fact remains that it is a sad indictment of the management that a formation and method of play cannot be used that gets the best out of a £20m international.

[Ian.]

Our last good spell of playing a better style of football came when Bent was out. During that period a lot of people suggested  the tactics and team play was dictated to AM because of the circumstances rather than him trying a different approach.

It will be interesting to see what happens now for the rest of the season with this Bent dilemma.

[curiousorange]

In what way?

Bent will either be sold or McLeish will not be at the club.

[Greg N'Ash]

In what way?

Bent will either be sold or McLeish will not be at the club.

yep. even if mcleish gets the shove i can't see Bent being here in September

[ktvillan]

The fact is we are a much more balanced side without him.

Is that a fact or just coincidence that the 3 or 4 games he missed was at the same time N'Zogbia and Ireland started to find some form having being played in their best positions and Clark came back into the team.

If Gabby was not a local kid come good would we be having this discussion.

The fact remains that it is a sad indictment of the management that a formation and method of play cannot be used that gets the best out of a £20m international.

I agree OMVF.  Gabby's a good honest hard working player who will always get a few goals but the local lad made good connection does seem to sway some Villa fans to elevate his ability way above what it actually is.  I have my doubts that we'll be better balanced with Gabby replacing Bent, I think that's a myth, but even if we do I suspect we'll be a nicely balanced side with the cutting edge of a blancmange.

[London Villan]

Only Villa can sign a 20 goal a season striker then not play to his strengths...

[itbrvilla]

Only Villa can sign a 20 goal a season striker then not play to his strengths...

I have to Agree.  He'd score 20+ anywhere else if played regularly but as soon as we appoint McCleish his goal ratio drops.  Alarm bells ringing?!?!

[Concrete John]

The fact is we are a much more balanced side without him.

Is that a fact or just coincidence that the 3 or 4 games he missed was at the same time N'Zogbia and Ireland started to find some form having being played in their best positions and Clark came back into the team.

If Gabby was not a local kid come good would we be having this discussion.

The fact remains that it is a sad indictment of the management that a formation and method of play cannot be used that gets the best out of a £20m international.

I agree OMVF.  Gabby's a good honest hard working player who will always get a few goals but the local lad made good connection does seem to sway some Villa fans to elevate his ability way above what it actually is.  I have my doubts that we'll be better balanced with Gabby replacing Bent, I think that's a myth, but even if we do I suspect we'll be a nicely balanced side with the cutting edge of a blancmange.

The only way you can play Bent and Gabby in the same team and get the best from them is in a 4-4-2, but we're too weak in central midfield to do that against all but the weakest tems.  Our wins at home to wigan and away at Bolton demonstrate this.  And AM seems to be too scared to drop one, hence imbalance and rarely having both our actual wingers on the pitch at any one time.  The brave and correct answer is for gabby to be the 'big hitter' on the bench, and Bent simply carries more goal threat.  However, Gabby up top while Bent is out also addresses the balance issue, even if we may lose some cutting edge. 

[Merv]

I agree, John. Pre-season, I had a front three of MA - DB - CNZ down as my first choice, with GA (off the back of a poor season) on the bench. That would have allowed us an extra man in midfield, which I thought (and still think) we needed/need.

We moved away from that formation firstly because Gabby showed some great form and demanded selection, and because McLeish seemed adamant about starting with Heskey. Occasionally, we've played that 4-3-3/4-5-1 and looked better for it. I think it will suit us again, and although it would work better with Bent as the centre-forward, Gabby can, and has, played that role.

Hence my starting X1 in the pre-match Blackburn thread, and incidentally, in the piece I have just written for my ESPN column.

[ktvillan]

I don't think Gabby and Bent would work together in a 4-4-2, I can't see how they would interact or play off each other, I think there's more chance they'd get in each others way.  Aside from the fact that hardly anyone plays 4-4-2 these days which means even with much stronger midfield players, a midfield four would get overrun.  Has to be one or the other for me, and Bent gets more goals - when we play to his strengths.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

From the O/S
Darren Bent underwent surgery tonight to repair ruptured ligaments in his left ankle.

The operation in a London clinic was a complete success.

It is expected that he will be able to resume full training in around 12 weeks.

Bent injured himself in the clash with Wigan at the DW Stadium.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Do we reckon he'll be fit in time for the Euros?