Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert denies rift with Darren Bent

[eastie]

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.

[Boz]

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.

[brontebilly]

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.

[JJ-AV]

Yeah, I think Bent starts at Spurs with Gabby and this is all forgotten about.

[silhillvilla]

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 ?

[Risso]

Bent hasn't complained publicly

Apart from all the interviews reproduced in newspapers today you mean, in which he quite clearly is complaining publicly.

[eastie]

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.

[silhillvilla]

I'd play him at spurs and if he's not putting a shift in or sulking, haul him off on about 40mins

[Mister E]

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.

[Risso]

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.

[Percy McCarthy]

Can't blame the press for this one. Saw the interview after the game and he quite clearly came across as a sulky tit.

[Shrek]

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.

[eastie]

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.

[Risso]

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?

[Tom_Mc9?]

I think Bent should shut his pie hole and score a few more goals.