Darren Bent

[Shrek]

The facts are, in the current system, we are a better team without Bent.

How is that a fact? It's a fact that the current manager appears to think so.

As we've seen from previous managers though, they're not always right about everything.

The facts are that the league position, wins total and lack of goals suggest we are not a better team - it's results that count not how well we play.

We are going round in circles here.

[JUAN PABLO]

If Bent had come on for 20 mins against Arse , we might have won that gamel .

And we might have lost it due to the ball not sticking up front.

Arsenal weren't exactly any good dont thou

[Dave]

The facts are, in the current system, we are a better team without Bent.

How is that a fact? It's a fact that the current manager appears to think so.

As we've seen from previous managers though, they're not always right about everything.

The facts are that the league position, wins total and lack of goals suggest we are not a better team - it's results that count not how well we play.

We are going round in circles here.

Well if you're are just going to repeat "it's a fact that we're better without him in the team" with no real evidence to suggest that it's the case, while we are the lowest goalscorers in the whole division then don't be surprised when people asking for a bit more to back it up.

[paul_e]

For me he, and players of his type, are best suited to coming off the bench and exploiting the space in the last 20minutes.

Does it feel right to use our record signing that way?  - Clearly not but I don't think stops it being the best role for him.

I firmly believe that you need 2-3 options on the bench who can change the game, Bent and Nzogbia are great for that (as is holman if he doesn't start), if we can get them to see that it's a good role for them to have.  It's certainly how I'd use them both, neither works hard enough for 90 minutes but late in a game they could be destructive.

[PaulWinch again]

Still left out, madness. He's clearly off.

[PeterWithesShin]

I've said more than once that there may well be something we don't know. The fact he's not making the bench makes me think that can be the only reason.

[Quiet Lion]

Talk Sport reporting he has stormed out of VP.


Edit - sky have just shown him at the ground

[paulcomben]

You see, Darren, it's like this. The people who run Villa hate goals. Despise them. Maybe because they sold Andy Gray then won the league. Beats me, as well as you. The fans do like goals, but what does our view matter. Milosevic, Balaban, Angel, Vassell, Agbonlahor etc

[JUAN PABLO]

well for PL sake . We better not lose tonight .

[Shrek]

The facts are, in the current system, we are a better team without Bent.

How is that a fact? It's a fact that the current manager appears to think so.

As we've seen from previous managers though, they're not always right about everything.

The facts are that the league position, wins total and lack of goals suggest we are not a better team - it's results that count not how well we play.

We are going round in circles here.

Well if you're are just going to repeat "it's a fact that we're better without him in the team" with no real evidence to suggest that it's the case, while we are the lowest goalscorers in the whole division then don't be surprised when people asking for a bit more to back it up.

You know what I meant.

I've just heard a rumour saying that if he plays 2 more games, we have to pay a further 4 million to Sunderland. Anyone heard anything?

[SamTheMouse]

I have massive respect for Lambert over this. Instead of compromising his own beliefs to shoehorn an expensive player into his side, he's picking the team he thinks will do the job best. Kudos to him.

[ROBBO]

Benteke is Lamberts idea of a front man,he's big,he holds the ball well, brings other players into the game, good in the air.Bent is an opportunist,can't hold the ball, doesn't put himself about, doesn't bring others into the game and has half Bentekes work rate.

[paulcomben]

Lots of empty seats.

[Villafirst]

I have massive respect for Lambert over this. Instead of compromising his own beliefs to shoehorn an expensive player into his side, he's picking the team he thinks will do the job best. Kudos to him.

What absolute rubbish!! Leaving a102 PL goalscorer out for an ex Chesterfield rookie!

[Matt C]

I've total respect for Lambert in sticking to his beliefs but I can't say I agree with the decision.