Lambert Out?

[Dave]

Darren Bent isn't in the side because his style of play doesn't fit within the best set up for Villa at the moment.

But it's a setup that means we never score goals. So if the current setup means we don't score, you change it so that we do. If the Benteke/Weimann/Agbonlahor trio were scoring then I'd have no issue whatsoever.

Do you feel that having Jordan Bowery on the bench over Bent is part of the best setup for Villa at the moment? That it might not even be worth having him as an option?

[pauliewalnuts]

Mat Kendrick last night tweeted that there's no truth in Bent not being played because he's near a number of appearances that triggers another hefty payment to Sunderland.

[Percy McCarthy]

Trouble with Bent is he's a Tory in a team of socialists.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Mat Kendrick last night tweeted that there's no truth in Bent not being played because he's near a number of appearances that triggers another hefty payment to Sunderland.

Thats fair enough - I would not be at all happy if the managers selection was being influenced by such matters.
But I have no problem with Lambert leaving Bent out otherwise. I do not think it is down to arguments or a personality clash between manager and player. I just think he is thoroughly unsuited to our team, which is unforunate for him and us.
It's all very well saying he is a proven goalscorer but if his inclusion leads to a significant reduction in chances created to try and score in the first place then what's the point?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Trouble with Bent is he's a Tory in a team of socialists.

We will be signing some Lib Dems in the window to build a coalition, sorry squad.

[amfy]

Darren Bent isn't in the side because his style of play doesn't fit within the best set up for Villa at the moment.

But it's a setup that means we never score goals. So if the current setup means we don't score, you change it so that we do. If the Benteke/Weimann/Agbonlahor trio were scoring then I'd have no issue whatsoever.

Do you feel that having Jordan Bowery on the bench over Bent is part of the best setup for Villa at the moment? That it might not even be worth having him as an option?

Simply not true. We didn't score against Man City or Arsenal, but we got 2 against Man U, 3 against Swindon, 1 against Sunderland, and we've also failed to score in some of the games he played in. I think the overall style of play looks more likely to produce goals since he's been out of the side, we've created more chances without him, and I think we have other players who will put some of them away, quite possibly with increasing regularity.

I do think he should be on the bench though, as he is one of our best options for changing things around when things aren't working.

[pauliewalnuts]

I can understand Lambert not picking him.

I can't understand how he's not even getting on the bench, when a kid we signed from Chesterfield is.

I am totally behind Lambert on the footballing reasons thing, but him not even being on the bench makes me suspcious more has gone on than we know about.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I saw Kendrick's tweet about Bent.

Can anyone tell me what the actual clause in the transfer was that could potentially push the price up from the initial £18m?

[MarkM]

Mat Kendrick last night tweeted that there's no truth in Bent not being played because he's near a number of appearances that triggers another hefty payment to Sunderland.

If Lambert has decided to sell him in the window / Bent has asked to leave then not playing him now to avoid a hefty payment to Sunderland would make financial sense.

I suppose if he plays more games up to the window then I guess we will know the answer

[JUAN PABLO]

Seems strange we cant score , yet he wont play the most lethal english goal scorer in the Prem.

[JUAN PABLO]

Bent and Benteke could be awesome

[saunders_heroes]

It's pretty obvious the reason Bent isn't being picked and that's because he's on his way out the door. We're crying out for goals yet we keep one of the league's best goalscorers out of the team. It's madness. 10 goals in 13 games and still Darren Bent can't get a look in.
Randy wants him out because of his big wages. Meanwhile we fire blanks in front of goal week after week.

[JUAN PABLO]

Baggies have more points this season then we have had all year .   Thats depressing.

[Risso]

Houlier bought Darren Bent post austerity cuts. At the SCG Faulkner said that one of the reasons for signing him was that they were excited to learn that a striker of this quality fitted within the wage structure they were implementing. Villa can afford Darren Bent - that's why they bought him when they did. I would imagine the extra payments to take his fee from 18-24million are triggered by more exciting things than simply making 50 appearances (I think we are in that ball park of outings).
Darren Bent isn't in the side because his style of play doesn't fit within the best set up for Villa at the moment. It is a shame for him and us that he came here to link with Young & Downing & everything has changed since then. I am happy enough with what we are trying to do, and having wanted a 20 goal a season striker like him for so long, I am sad it isn't working, but think we can make better use of the money than him at the moment.
He kept us up when he arrived. I wish him well, but I don't see his future here now.

Well, the "best Villa set up" has delivered an absolutely abysmal start, hardly any goals and a bottom three presence, so it clearly isn't working.   Bent and Benteke have only played a few minutes together, so it's hard to argue that it's been given time to work in any case.

[Risso]

Mat Kendrick last night tweeted that there's no truth in Bent not being played because he's near a number of appearances that triggers another hefty payment to Sunderland.

And General Krulak said the same thing about Curtis Davies, even when it was crystal clear what the game in town was.