Darren Bent

[Concrete John]

To those saying he 'must' play, what sort of team would you pick around him?

[VillaAlways]

To those saying he 'must' play what sort of team would you pick around him?

I'm not saying he must start but he should be on the bench

[Brend'Watkins]

On the bench to start with and if Gabby or Benteke aren't doing the business on he comes.

If he doesn't get a game then they are doing it.

[levico]

On the bench and then see where we are by January and consider selling him then - unless he has made a number of 'super sub' appearances.

[PaulWinch again]

He's got to be in the squad at the very least.

[itbrvilla]

One of the most potent goal scorers of the last 10 years, ridiculous not playing him, especially as noone else is scoring.

[Jimbo]

He has to be on the bench at the very least. If we're not scoring goals in a game, it's clear the system we're playing in that game isn't working. Lambert should be flexible enough to change the system accordingly, so that Bent can come on and play within a system that'll get the goals HE can score, and the goals WE need.

Let's face the facts, the system we're playing at the moment isn't exactly chalking up many in the 'goals for' column. Although there are plenty in the 'goals against' chart. I understand Lambert needs time with it, so I am happy for him to persist. But if it's not working in a game, we need to change things around. Bent gives us that opportunity for a 'plan B'. Otherwise we'd be cutting off our nose to spite our face.   

[Sexual Ealing]

If there's anything in the Liverpool rumours and anything again in the previous rumours that they still owe us for Downing (two very big ifs) then I don't know that I'd be that happy with helping them out with a cashflow problem and throwing them a 20-goals-a-season striker to boot.

[MonsXI]

On the bench to start with and if Gabby or Benteke aren't doing the business on he comes.

If he doesn't get a game then they are doing it.

Spot on!

[ASHTONVILLA]

I would play him against Reading (main striker with Benteke and Weiman in support), and see if he gels with Benteke. If it isn't happening then back to the bench, but with the paucity of goals lately I do think it is worth a try fitting him into the formation before deciding to sell.

Can see him scoring against Reading, as Benteke and Weiman will create space for him.

[adrenachrome]

Alf Ramsey, replying to Jack Charlton's question of why he was first choice over other more obviously talented players, replied that his job was to select the best team. For my own part, I trust PL's judgement, although I can see why many people are concerned.

[Dave]

To those saying he 'must' play, what sort of team would you pick around him?

Standard back five, two of Westwood, El Ahmadi or Bannan in front, two of Ireland, Gabby, Holman or N'Zogbia playing wider but not in touchline-hugging winger sense, then Bent and Beneteke up front, with Weimann in reserve behind them. Hopefully working the same way that Bent and Kenwyne Jones worked so well at Sunderland.

If Kenwyne Jones could form a great partnership with Bent managed by Steve Bruce, one would hope a better player like Benteke should be able to manage it and a better manager like Lambert should be able to help develop it.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

On the bench but look to sell him in January.
Darren Bent is a square peg in Aston Villas round hole.

[Sexual Ealing]

On the bench but look to sell him in January.
Darren Bent is a square peg in Aston Villas round hole.

I believe Mrs Ridgewell says something similar.

[Total knob-head]

£24m for a bench player is ridiculous. Start him, he guarantees goals.