Darren Bent joins Fulham on loan (Reply #486)

[eastie]

Lambert was pretty clear about it , the player can go if a club agrees terms - no secret about that - he was clear that as yet no bid had been recieved , the more clubs in for him the better it would be for us .

[PeterWithesShin]

Where was he clear about it?

[eastie]

Where was he clear about it?

On the radio interview on Monday .

[PeterWithesShin]

Fair enough, but the points still stand that
1) We, and Lambert, aren't exactly well known for talking about transfers, in or out, before they happen
B) No bid doesn't mean that clubs aren't in contact with us
III) I need to be more consistent

[eastie]

Fair enough, but the points still stand that
1) We, and Lambert, aren't exactly well known for talking about transfers, in or out, before they happen
B) No bid doesn't mean that clubs aren't in contact with us
III) I need to be more consistent

I'm surprised there isn't a clutch of clubs after him to be honest - goalscorers with his record at that price are rare - could probably do a job for half of the premier league clubs.

I know his wages are high but if his goals keep you up its worthwhile.

[Monty]

I think the fact that he struggled so much to get into a very down-in-the-dumps Villa side last year shows you exactly how much his type of player is worth these days. Football has left him behind - to play him properly you have to give up the midfield, and nobody does that anymore.

[supertom]

I think the fact that he struggled so much to get into a very down-in-the-dumps Villa side last year shows you exactly how much his type of player is worth these days. Football has left him behind - to play him properly you have to give up the midfield, and nobody does that anymore.

Think he'd do well at Stoke, Fulham (if Berbatov gets itchy feet and wants to move, or they rotate). One of the promoted clubs may give Benty a go. I'm thinking maybe Steve Bruce who's fairly old school in his approach to football. Newcastle are very backward at the minute so that seems the most logical destination. They may look at Bent to be their new Andy Cole.
I don't see him having many takers in a top end club. As we've seen, forwards like Bent are dying breed now. Fergie had realised this 7 years ago when he shipped RVN on. Michael Owen struggled a hell of a lot in his back in England after Spain. Not just because of injuries but because when he did play he didn't have anything to his game other than good movement in the box and an able finish.
Much like Owen in his latter days too, Bents injuries over the last couple of seasons have affected his pace. So where once you could play him on the shoulder against a high line defence, he doesn't have that ability to break clear against a high line (unless he's playing against Dunne and Collins). When Owen lost that, he lost a big part of his game. I think Bent's losing that part of his game too. Meaning he's now mostly effective finding space in the box.

Again, because there's probably only 3-4 clubs who'll carry him in the top flight. Of those clubs, I think fortunately, clubs like Newcastle, Fulham and Stoke all appear happy to fork out bigger wages on high profile players. I'm not sure wages would be the issue so much.

[eastie]

Personally I think he would score goals for everton  and most teams outside the top 5 - if those teams give him the service he will provide the finish .
Would certainly score more than jelavic.

[Villafirst]

Bent is still contracted to us for another 2 years, so we're still paying him a fortune per week. He should be involved with the first team squad. What with being stripped of the captaincy, dropped and now banished from the squad - the treatment is pretty poor. He's not exactly kicked up a fuss or been disruptive has he? If he's not sold, we might just need him at some point - all you'll get now is someone who will not be motivated and their confidence will be shot to pieces.

[john e]

Bent is still contracted to us for another 2 years, so we're still paying him a fortune per week. He should be involved with the first team squad. What with being stripped of the captaincy, dropped and now banished from the squad - the treatment is pretty poor. He's not exactly kicked up a fuss or been disruptive has he? If he's not sold, we might just need him at some point - all you'll get now is someone who will not be motivated and their confidence will be shot to pieces.

just a thought, and i'm not saying this is correct because I've no idea really,

but if Lambert was to include Bent in the first team training etc, Bent might well think it might not be to bad sticking around waiting for his chance,
 whereas with him being banished it leaves him in no doubt about what he'll be doing for the next two years if he sticks around,

Bent surely will more desperate to leave which is all Lambert wants,  anyway that's my thoughts on Lamberts cunning plan

[Phil from the upper holte]

He wasn't stripped of the captaincy, he had it temperarily, lambert at the time felt it affected his game, as it does with a few players

[andyaston]

Would like to know what will happen to Beneke first. Bent's record speaks for itself although to work within our system you have to be more than an off the last man type of strker.

[adrenachrome]

Bear in mind that one of Lambert's biggest jobs this summer will be to integrate all of the new players into the squad and get them to form a bond with all of the existing squad players.

If he has players who he's actively trying to move-out of the club, it could be counter-productive to have them training with the 1st-team, and pointless him getting to know the new guys or vice-verse.

Aside from that, he could be playing for one of our rivals in the next couple of weeks, so the less he knows about our training-drills, formations, etc. the better!

It is very hard-nosed of Lambert, but it's in no way 'despicable'!

Good point. We can't have Benty seeing the big board.

[barrysleftfoot]

 Never let us down, or shown a bad attitude imho.A goalscorer, probably not a good footballer, so i can see why PL has'nt got him in his plans.

 I think he will go, but teams are just waiting for his price/wages to drop, a bit of gamesmanship.Would prefer he goes abroad tbh, but for me could be a goalscorer at any level, i think he would be ideal for Arse or Chelsk because of the way they play.

[sirlordbaltimore]

I can't help feel this will come back and bite us on the arse.

Even if Benteke stays there are no guarantees he'll have another great scoring season. Weimann and Gabby could go either way too

All the best Darren