Darren Bent

[VillaAlways]

It's bloody depressing that we're looking to get rid of him given the precarious situation we're in. But I'm actually boring myself saying it,so whatever

[supertom]

Lambert is sending out a clear message that he believes Bent is not good enough for our below par side, yet it's believed he wants £18m for him. Confusing.

I don't think football is ever as black and white as that. He just doesn't fit into what Lambert wants.
I see no reason why we can't get a decent fee for him. We've no chance of getting back what we paid, but 12-15 mill isn't unrealistic. Plus it would seem (but you never no), that we're financially stable again. If no one stumps up the cash, then we keep hold of him till the summer window and try again. Better to take a lower fee then than in January. We sell on our terms this window or not at all.
If Bent's still here on Feb 1st, then it's down to him to work his bollocks off and force himself back into the side, and make sure he's got plenty of potential suitors come the summer window.

Lamberts playing a very dangerous game, but I do appreciate the ballsiness. It's a gamble, but I'll take that over how godawful we were under McLeish. We were just resigned to everything. No fight, no determination. We never went out to win games. It was pathetic.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think one of the reasons Lambert dropped Bent a couple of weeks back was to make sure that, by the time the window opens, we'd all be so bored to tears by talking or thinking about the situation, nobody would complain when we sold him.

We'd just be glad it was over.

[Rigadon]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

[Eugene Fraxby]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Agree totally but it doesn't account for Bent not even making a bench of 7.

That is what has caused the rampant speculation.

[Rigadon]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Agree totally but it doesn't account for Bent not even making a bench of 7.

That is what has caused the rampant speculation.

Yeah but let's say he plays, ineffectively in a team not suited to his talents, gets injured and we can't rebuild?  Is it worth the risk? 

[pauliewalnuts]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Agree totally but it doesn't account for Bent not even making a bench of 7.

That is what has caused the rampant speculation.

Yep, entirely agree.

It's easy to see reasons for not starting Bent, but not having him on the bench when our squad is so short of goals and experience is the clincher that says something (whatever it is) more is going on in the background.

[danlanza]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Is it fact or rumour that he shagged a team mates wife ?
If it is fact then he should be shown the door without any doubt.
Who was the team mate in question ?

[PaulTheVillan]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Is it fact or rumour that he shagged a team mates wife ?
If it is fact then he should be shown the door without any doubt.
Who was the team mate in question ?

Chris Herd was mentioned, but it was rubbish. The photo of Bent with her was taken at a photo shoot the year before.

I heard a rumour about Holman, but I reckon that's just shit too.

[danlanza]

So the shagging thing is just hearsay really.
This whole Bent thing should be moved to the conspiracy thread, it is turning into one more and more. I wish somebody from the club would just come out and tell us what is going on.

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

I've read a lot of theories on this thread as to what's happening with Bent and why he's not playing / going to be sold.  He's shagged his team mates wife, he's disruptive, Villa don't want to pay any further money to Sunderland.  I honestly think it's because Daren Bent is a one-dimensional player who is very, very effective in a certain type of team (not us anymore) and he is most saleable asset and we need experienced players in key roles so need the money from his sae to balance the books.  Of course, that's just my opinion but it does seem the most obvious one. 

It says much about what we've put up with over the past couple of years that we need to put the whole thing under the microscope so much.

Agree totally but it doesn't account for Bent not even making a bench of 7.

That is what has caused the rampant speculation.

Yep, entirely agree.

It's easy to see reasons for not starting Bent, but not having him on the bench when our squad is so short of goals and experience is the clincher that says something (whatever it is) more is going on in the background.

I agree. There are a couple of quotes I've seen that make me put two and two together and make five but nevertheless. One quote about Benteke "I think he (Benteke) has really good manners and he's really humble which is a great thing for a footballer," which i saw on 442 and the one was about attitude in training thats appeared in several places that Lambert had to then go on and deny was directed at Bent. I'm speculating that there has been some kind of bust up and Lambert's waiting for an apology or change of attitude from Bent.

I also think Lambert's answers to the press are often open to interpretation which encourages media interest. I suppose Lamberts under more scrutiny now than at any point in his career so he does need to be more effective with the media - not necessarily being matey with them but giving clearer and more concise answers.

[LeeB]

I think he's handled the situation really well.

It's nobody else's business.

[Risso]

I think he's handled the situation really well.

It's nobody else's business.

Nobody knows what the real issue is, so how you can judge that he's handled it well is baffling.  All he's done is drop Bent for reasons unknown.

[Percy McCarthy]

Well, he keeps explaining it but people choose not to believe it.

Maybe he should just make something up that people will fall for.

[LeeB]

I think he's handled the situation really well.

It's nobody else's business.

Nobody knows what the real issue is, so how you can judge that he's handled it well is baffling.  All he's done is drop Bent for reasons unknown.

And those reasons are nobody else's business.