Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert denies rift with Darren Bent

[damon loves JT]

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.

[Brend'Watkins]

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.

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

[not3bad]

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.

[Dave]

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.

[damon loves JT]

Sunderland are crap, is the other reason.

[Dave Clark Five]

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.

[Brian Taylor]

What Liverpool could have done with Darran Bent last night, eh?!

[damon loves JT]

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.

[Rigadon]

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. 

[damon loves JT]

It's almost as if, oh I don't know, they're not paying attention to what's happened in our games this season.

[ciggiesnbeer]

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,

[Brian Taylor]

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.

[KRS]

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.

[Matt Collins]

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?