Darren Bent

[Ozzjim]

So, would you start him at the moment  - will add a poll. This is one of the biggest topics on the board, spilling into several other threads at the moment. Lets give it some space...

[eastie]

Natural goalscorer and we need goals- I'd bring him in for gabby.

[glasses]

I'd sell (If the price is right) and improve the team in other areas. Particularly midfield

[Summers]

Be on the bench for me til Jan, then I'd sell him and use all the cash to strengthen the squad.

[Mazrim]

All things being equal, yes, without doubt. Although I am resigned to thinking that there is a problem with him now and that he will be off very shortly.
He arrived at Villa 5 or 6 years too late and certainly 2 years too late.

But we need goals and so I'd play him although if he isnt putting the effort in, its a no brainer, he shouldn't play. Nobody should.

[pedro25]

No, Ireland, Holman, Given, Lichaj, Baker and N'Zogbia are more unfortunate not to be in the starting line up right now imo.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Tough one. I can't see how he can fit into PL's preferred formation. Benteke is the sort of player you want as the main striker and I don't think Bent can do the role being asked of Gabby and Weimann.

So, maybe as a sub to bring on if we need to get something out of the game and change things around. However, that's an expensive sub.

Up until relatively recently, I'd always thought he's a definite starter, now I can't see it.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Get rid!

Goalscorers are boring. How DARE anybody question Lambert's decision to snub him anyway.

Stick him in with the youth team!

[Merv]

I can understand why Bent is not a guaranteed starter these days, but at the very least he should be involved in certain games and coming off the bench with 20-30 mins to go... surely he's the kind of guy you want to make the breakthrough when you're pushing Arsenal?

The fact he's not means I can't think anything else other than there's an issue here - despite what PL says - and he's off soon. Which is a shame.

[tomd2103]

He just doesn't fit into the current formation, so I can see why he's not playing at the moment.  I would personally like to see Lambert switch to a formation that could incorporate two forwards without weakening the midfield (I've posted before that I would like to see him try 3-5-2) and give Bent a run in the team alongside Benteke.   

[Ads]

I think he'll start tonight.

[Percy McCarthy]

I wouldn't pick him as the one up front, and certainly not in either of the wide positions. However, if we're still in the shit in a couple of weeks time, I'd be tempted to go 4-4-2 with him and Benteke up front and a midfield of (left-to-right) Gabby, Westwood, KEA, Holman.

[not3bad]

Needs to more time to see if he can combine with Benteke.  All the stikers, Bent, Benteke, Gabby & Weiman have their place, whether starting on the bench or in the first 11.  But as has been mentioned it does appear there is a problem between Bent and Lambert, despite PL's insistence otherwise.

I do think it would give the fans a lift if Bent started tonight though.

[Eugene Fraxby]

I'd only start him if we play 4-4-2. Which I don't see us doing for now.

Bench.

[silhillvilla]

10 goals in 12 league goals suggests we have a problem.
Play him.