Darren Bent, can he keep us up??

[ktvillan]

So Again Bent is being blamed for not performing in the first half against Newcastle.  Yet there was no service to the forwards because there was no bleeding midfield.  He isn't, and never has been the kind of player to create his own chances.  How did Benteke do in that first half? Any better with the same service?  Bent is a certain type of player, one who gets on the end of chances regularly and consistently, and puts a good percentage of them away.  If you are going to play him you need to set your team up to provide chances for him, otherwise don't bother.  But don't blame him for failing to put away non-existent chances.  That's really not his fault, and only a moron would say he's not interested when he's got nothing to be interested in. 

[Monty]

Seriously, how badly and anonymously does Bent have to play and how clearly better do we have to look with Benteke and Weimann in the side before people see how overrated Bent is? Seriously, I thought the Newcastle game would have been the clincher. I can't believe this debate is still happening.

It's football, people can't see through their own prejudices.

I like players that adapt to the teams they play for myself.

Oh I agree, players should adapt not the other way around (most of the time). I was just a bit surprised at the reaction to the Newcastle game when he went off and we were better.

[supertom]

Seriously, how badly and anonymously does Bent have to play and how clearly better do we have to look with Benteke and Weimann in the side before people see how overrated Bent is? Seriously, I thought the Newcastle game would have been the clincher. I can't believe this debate is still happening.

It's football, people can't see through their own prejudices.

I like players that adapt to the teams they play for myself.

Oh I agree, players should adapt not the other way around (most of the time). I was just a bit surprised at the reaction to the Newcastle game when he went off and we were better.

Weimann's better from the bench than Bent, who struggles to click into the pace of a game IMO. I'd play Bent and Benteke for the remainder with Andy to come on if Bent's struggling to get involved.

We've got to go for it now.

[Monty]

Seriously, how badly and anonymously does Bent have to play and how clearly better do we have to look with Benteke and Weimann in the side before people see how overrated Bent is? Seriously, I thought the Newcastle game would have been the clincher. I can't believe this debate is still happening.

It's football, people can't see through their own prejudices.

I like players that adapt to the teams they play for myself.

Oh I agree, players should adapt not the other way around (most of the time). I was just a bit surprised at the reaction to the Newcastle game when he went off and we were better.

Weimann's better from the bench than Bent, who struggles to click into the pace of a game IMO. I'd play Bent and Benteke for the remainder with Andy to come on if Bent's struggling to get involved.

We've got to go for it now.

Weimann's just better than Bent for us though, from the bench or the start. Whatever the reasons for that, that is the reality of this season.

[supertom]

Seriously, how badly and anonymously does Bent have to play and how clearly better do we have to look with Benteke and Weimann in the side before people see how overrated Bent is? Seriously, I thought the Newcastle game would have been the clincher. I can't believe this debate is still happening.

It's football, people can't see through their own prejudices.

I like players that adapt to the teams they play for myself.

Oh I agree, players should adapt not the other way around (most of the time). I was just a bit surprised at the reaction to the Newcastle game when he went off and we were better.

Weimann's better from the bench than Bent, who struggles to click into the pace of a game IMO. I'd play Bent and Benteke for the remainder with Andy to come on if Bent's struggling to get involved.

We've got to go for it now.

Weimann's just better than Bent for us though, from the bench or the start. Whatever the reasons for that, that is the reality of this season.

True, but I'm going on the blind hope/gamble that Bent suddenly recaptures his best form at the right time. Same goes for N'Zogbia and why I'd give him a good run in the side, out wide.

[django]

Doesn't surprise me Paul_e.

I'd argue that the side that played second half against Newcastle (with Bannan making way for Sylla if he's up to it) would be the way to go.

It might be hard to make a statistical case for Gabby as his goalscoring record is so poor these days, but we hold onto the ball far far better when he plays.

So Bannan will make way for Sylla, leaving Westwood to be playmaker?  Then we will see how little he contributes and fans will have a new 'Bannan' to pick on!

No I guess we wouldn't really have a 'playmaker' as such. Certainly not a deep sitting
'quarterback'. The front 3 (Benteke up front, Weimann inside right ish, nzog linking midfield and Benteke, will make things happen if we can get some sort of width. Like I said Gabby holds the ball up pretty effectively, meaning our full backs have more opportunity to come up the pitch, offering more width and meaning we don't invite pressure as much. I'd prefer him to Holman because although willing he turns over possession to often.

Sylla (again if he's up to it) & Westwood give us more solidity in theory, and can sit giving a defensive screen while picking out the more creative players up front. I'm not in the attack Bannan at every opportunity camp, but feel he could do wih a break anyway.

I'd see us picking up a few points playing like this, whether it will be enough to keep us up im not confident but think it would give us a chance.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

No idea if Bent can keep us up. I care about him as much as he cares about Aston Villa.

[django]

I meant to add to my previous post, playing Bent while acknowledging he isnt a player who can crete for himself seems crazy. Benteke and Weimann can, as well as being able to finish other people's work.

Playing Bent you are having to hope that he and his supply line will improve in order for him to score goals, and we lose the hard working prescence of Weimann/Benteke and their ability to create for others.

I'm honestly amazed that anyone would play Bent unless the others are I'll/injured. It's the one bit of he team we have been getting right

[LeeB]

I meant to add to my previous post, playing Bent while acknowledging he isnt a player who can crete for himself seems crazy. Benteke and Weimann can, as well as being able to finish other people's work.

Playing Bent you are having to hope that he and his supply line will improve in order for him to score goals, and we lose the hard working prescence of Weimann/Benteke and their ability to create for others.

I'm honestly amazed that anyone would play Bent unless the others are I'll/injured. It's the one bit of he team we have been getting right

Yes.

[manic-road]

Bent could keep us up, unfortunately Ash Young and Downing havn't been replaced. So little service = little goals.

[Ron Manager]

I'd pick Weimann over Bent, every time. The best finisher at the club by a mile, but he also works his backside off and he clearly wants it. The hunger is obvious.

Bent just looks like he's coasting to me.

Our best bet is to play Benteke and Weimann together as a front two, IMO. N'Zogbia in that roving attacking role just behind, or getting out to the left to give us width.

The best finisher at the club is Darren Bent. He is a renowned goalscorer....without any service under this manager who is not fit for purpose.
Yes Weimann has impressed everybody and Benteke obviously. Perhaps Dawkins has been taken on as a provider of chances for them I certainly hope so.

The centre backs are at the moment not up to it either physically or lacking in application.

Sylla played for a club in the lower reaches of the French second division but he will be a useful addition I hope.

I don't mean to pick on you Ron, but the bullshit people keep spouting about Bent is getting right on my tits.

He's done fuck all for the best part of eighteen months now. It's about time he started making things work for himself.

He's rapidly slipping into Stephen Ireland mode of being a hugely expensive chocolate fireguard.

No offence taken Lee. You are quite welcome to your opinion and I am entitled to mine.

[LeeB]

I'd pick Weimann over Bent, every time. The best finisher at the club by a mile, but he also works his backside off and he clearly wants it. The hunger is obvious.

Bent just looks like he's coasting to me.

Our best bet is to play Benteke and Weimann together as a front two, IMO. N'Zogbia in that roving attacking role just behind, or getting out to the left to give us width.

The best finisher at the club is Darren Bent. He is a renowned goalscorer....without any service under this manager who is not fit for purpose.
Yes Weimann has impressed everybody and Benteke obviously. Perhaps Dawkins has been taken on as a provider of chances for them I certainly hope so.

The centre backs are at the moment not up to it either physically or lacking in application.

Sylla played for a club in the lower reaches of the French second division but he will be a useful addition I hope.

I don't mean to pick on you Ron, but the bullshit people keep spouting about Bent is getting right on my tits.

He's done fuck all for the best part of eighteen months now. It's about time he started making things work for himself.

He's rapidly slipping into Stephen Ireland mode of being a hugely expensive chocolate fireguard.

No offence taken Lee. You are quite welcome to your opinion and I am entitled to mine.

Quite right , Ron.

[Jockey Randall]

Bent could keep us up, unfortunately Ash Young and Downing havn't been replaced. So little service = little goals.

Exactly. Bent is a luxury we can't afford in the team at the minute. Benteke, Weimann and Gabby do far more for the team and can all create chances of their own making.

[JUAN PABLO]

I meant to add to my previous post, playing Bent while acknowledging he isnt a player who can crete for himself seems crazy. Benteke and Weimann can, as well as being able to finish other people's work.

Playing Bent you are having to hope that he and his supply line will improve in order for him to score goals, and we lose the hard working prescence of Weimann/Benteke and their ability to create for others.

I'm honestly amazed that anyone would play Bent unless the others are I'll/injured. It's the one bit of he team we have been getting right

we are losing every game we play thou


I noticed we had no width first half against Magpies and all the strikers were rubbish and then second half we had width but he took Bent off , strange . 

[paul_e]

I meant to add to my previous post, playing Bent while acknowledging he isnt a player who can crete for himself seems crazy. Benteke and Weimann can, as well as being able to finish other people's work.

Playing Bent you are having to hope that he and his supply line will improve in order for him to score goals, and we lose the hard working prescence of Weimann/Benteke and their ability to create for others.

I'm honestly amazed that anyone would play Bent unless the others are I'll/injured. It's the one bit of he team we have been getting right

we are losing every game we play thou


I noticed we had no width first half against Magpies and all the strikers were rubbish and then second half we had width but he took Bent off , strange . 

I guess it depends if you think Bent was a victim or a big part of the cause of the problems in the first half.  I'm not sure either way, I just know that, based on this season Bent should be 3rd choice for us.