Darren Bent joins Fulham on loan (Reply #486)

[danno]

I don't see anything wrong with it.  He's leaving. we're trying to build a close knit group of players.
Players who aren't going to feature, aren't training with the squad.

If we don't get a bid for Bent, Hutton, Ireland then they'll likely be off on season long loans.
Bent isn't going to make a match day squad, as we've just signed Helenius in front of him.

He isn't in the managers plans, so he isn't in the first team dressing room.
I think that's better than making him feel part of things, when in reality he probably isn't going to play for us again.

[Mazrim]

I don't like the fact it's come to this but I can understand it.

[Irish villain]

I'll never forget how excited I was the day we signed Bent.

It is staggering to think just how it has ended up with him everybody's fourth choice striker at villa.

[PeterWithesShin]

I was thrilled when he signed. Now I won't be fussed when he leaves. It's a funny old game innit?

Last match of the season showed me why someone will get a bargain, and why Lambert doesn't want him. Scored a very good goal after 5 mins, then hardly touched the ball for the rest of the match.

And whatever anyone says, we won't be losing a fortune on him, the goals he got under GH and AM that made sure we stayed up are worth what we paid for him in prize money even if he left on a free.

I have to add, unless he has done something to warrant it, which he may well have that we haven't heard about, i'm not a big fan fan of burning all the bridges with him as well as making it obvious to any potential buyer that we can't wait to get rid.

[maidstonevillain]

Very harsh if true. Has not caused any problems as far as I a aware, and not his fault he is not part of Lambert's plans. Has always done what has been required of him. Unlike others.

Seems perverse that Villa consider him to valuable to let him go on the cheap, but then treat him as if he is worthless.

Assuming that the report is not a load of *******

[Toronto Villa]

And whatever anyone says, we won't be losing a fortune on him, the goals he got under GH and AM than made sure we stayed up are worth what we paid for him even if he left on a free.

Made that same point a while back too. Completely agree. He's repaid what we paid for him and then some just by staying up. It's ridiculous to read that we will be selling him at a loss given his initial production. It might seem harsh but he doesn't represent the future. No point him being at the club if the coaches won't be planning anything for or around him.

[Matt C]

I admire Lambert's unwavering determination and belief, I'll say that.

[Percy McCarthy]

It's nice that we've moved on from branding as mentally ill those who think we're a better team without him.

[Mazrim]

^ What a fruit loop ^

[Duncan Shaw]

I have to add, unless he has done something to warrant it, which he may well have that we haven't heard about, i'm not a big fan fan of burning all the bridges with him as well as making it obvious to any potential buyer that we can't wait to get rid.

This for me too.  Could it have been really difficult to keep it out of the Mail, knowing the nationals would pick it up to have a pop at us?  Presumably it has come from his end, but it does reduce the likelihood of us "Holding out for £8million" for him.

As some have said, a shame it has come to this, I too was delerious when we signed him, but I admire Lambert's resolve and am fully behind him in what he is trying to achieve.

[eastie]

Seems a bit harsh on bent making him train away from the squad ana with Ireland and Hutton - the other 2 are wasters but bents attitude has been much better than them and what happens if we don't get an acceptable offer for him ?

Will we be paying him huge wages to train away from the squad , by all means look to sell him but seems harsh ostracising him .

[Gerrin]

I think this is a good move by Lambert, Bent will obviously not be happy and will be telling his agent to get busy sorting something out for him. This is a means of speeding up the process. Also what if he did play in one of the pre-season games and get injured? That wouldn't exactly help the cause would it. Ferguson did similar things to players over the years and he was hailed for it.

[eastie]

I think this is a good move by Lambert, Bent will obviously not be happy and will be telling his agent to get busy sorting something out for him. This is a means of speeding up the process. Also what if he did play in one of the pre-season games and get injured? That wouldn't exactly help the cause would it. Ferguson did similar things to players over the years and he was hailed for it.

Just as much chance as getting injured whilst training - i think its harsh .

[Damo70]

It isn't something I necessarily agree with, but it is Lambert's way. And I believe in the days of Ron Saunders, if you weren't currently in the first team you trained with the reserves.

[supertom]

It's a little harsh. I see the reasoning though. We'll be working on certain things in training I guess. I would think that Lambert will want the squad that he's assembled for next season to gel together. He'll be looking at combinations in every area, team set ups etc. Maybe it'll confuse matters having players among this who will not play any part next season. He's got to get prepping for a pre-season tour.