Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Clampy]

Surprised Bent has'nt started as well. Let's hope he comes on and does the business again.

As for Spurs, Daniel Levy must have had a word in Villas-Boas ear and asked him why he's not playing that new goalkeeper he bought for him.

[danlanza]

I know that it has been said that there is no problem between Bent and Lambert, but i find it strange to have him on the bench instead of on from the start.
Oh well, in Lambert we trust.

[supertom]

Perhaps a really fired up Bent coming off the bench (if needs be) would be a very potent weapon. I see the logic in going for the big man, and pace combo though. Think both Gabby and Benteke could have some joy today.

[hipkiss92]

Hope the fans get some good chants going at Lloris 'you're just a shit Brad Friedel' etc., be nice to see him gift us a goal on his league debut.

[Richard Richard]

I think its a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation with Gabby and Albrighton out wide to help counter the Spurs wingers threat, so playing a target man up front who can hold the ball up is probably the best option.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think its a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation with Gabby and Albrighton out wide to help counter the Spurs wingers threat, so playing a target man up front who can hold the ball up is probably the best option.

Makes sense, proof is in the pudding etc.

Early days, but I really like the look of Benteke.

[Risso]

I know that it has been said that there is no problem between Bent and Lambert, but i find it strange to have him on the bench instead of on from the start.
Oh well, in Lambert we trust.

It makes no sense.  Benteke was crap, Bent came on and scored, and yet finds himself on the bench again.  I'd have thought the point was made last week, if there was any point to be made.    We're getting sucked back down towards the bottom 3 rapidly, we can't afford to have a player of Bent's quality not playing.

[Irish villain]

Surprised to see Bent on the bench. I hope he comes on fired up and scores.

Kind of confirms me in the views I expressed in the 'Bent thread' earlier.

[Toronto Villa]

It'll be a good decision as long as Benteke doesn't do his impression of a baby carthorse again, with the first touch to match.

He's 21 and learning that he has to quick and precise with his touch at this level. I've seen far more experienced players that have cost much more be as careless or inefficient with the ball. Just as I've seen forwards sky the ball instead of chipping the keeper as he did vs Swansea. He does good things and not so good things. I don't think Gabby or Bent are any different.

[Lee]

I agree with Risso. I thought Benteke was poor last week and Bent did enough at the end to justify his place. We have to trust that Lambo knows what he is doing

[danlanza]

I know that it has been said that there is no problem between Bent and Lambert, but i find it strange to have him on the bench instead of on from the start.
Oh well, in Lambert we trust.

It makes no sense.  Benteke was crap, Bent came on and scored, and yet finds himself on the bench again.  I'd have thought the point was made last week, if there was any point to be made.    We're getting sucked back down towards the bottom 3 rapidly, we can't afford to have a player of Bent's quality not playing.

Totally agree with that-100%

[Yossarian]

I know that it has been said that there is no problem between Bent and Lambert, but i find it strange to have him on the bench instead of on from the start.
Oh well, in Lambert we trust.

It makes no sense.  Benteke was crap, Bent came on and scored, and yet finds himself on the bench again.  I'd have thought the point was made last week, if there was any point to be made.    We're getting sucked back down towards the bottom 3 rapidly, we can't afford to have a player of Bent's quality not playing.

Totally agree with that-100%

Me too

[Toronto Villa]

I agree with Risso. I thought Benteke was poor last week and Bent did enough at the end to justify his place. We have to trust that Lambo knows what he is doing

That's the thing Lee, we have to trust the manager that he is showing to treat everyone the same. Once you start showing you have favourites how do you ever get past that? Bent would have been wise to have said publicly that he understands that it is a squad game and he's doing his bit and spoken to Lambert privately. Irrespective of how Lambert tried to blow it off it has to have got his back up a little. Still you hope that he's still picking the side to best play this game.

[Risso]

It'll be a good decision as long as Benteke doesn't do his impression of a baby carthorse again, with the first touch to match.

He's 21 and learning that he has to quick and precise with his touch at this level. I've seen far more experienced players that have cost much more be as careless or inefficient with the ball. Just as I've seen forwards sky the ball instead of chipping the keeper as he did vs Swansea. He does good things and not so good things. I don't think Gabby or Bent are any different.

At this stage, Gabby and Bent are both easily superior.  That isn't to say that Benteke won't come good, but he doesn't deserve to keep starting just because Lambert paid big money for him.  Weimann looks a far, far more complete and skilful striker than Benteke in my opinion.

[Rigadon]

It might well be the case that Lambert is making another point with regards to Bent. That is to say, don't talk to the press so candidly in the future.  I must say that he has every right to do so. 

Or, he might just have seen Gabby and Benteke link up well in training all week. 

Just a thought on Bent.  Is Villa the only place he could get £85k a week?  If so, I wouldn't imagine to hear him repeating his comments to reporters after today.