Squad Numbers 2013-14 (#19 retired for the season)

[olaftab]

Darren bent put this on twitter a few minutes ago

"@DarrenBent: Gutted to lose my No 9 shirt. Unfortunately one of those things I have to deal with. KTF"

To be honest, it is a little disrespectful - especially as it's not been given to Benteke, but an unproven youngster.

Bent doesn't deserve to be put in the same category as Ireland, Hutton and N'Zogbia.

Oh I think I could handle this sort of disrespect at circa £60k a week.

[Matt C]

This is the same Darren Bent who was telling supporters yesterday that 'I'll be out of here soon'? Quite right he hasn't got the number 9 shirt.

[eamonn]

Well he's only saying it cos it's the truth. His wages are really going to mean we're going to struggle to get any decent fee unless a Ukranian or Russian team fancies him.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Albrighton must be in last chance saloon by now. It shouldn't be a case of either N'Zog or Albrighton. N'Zog needs to be moved on because he doesn't justify being the top earner (he would be if we got rid of the bomb squad). Albrighton needs to find the form that he showed when he first broke through or be shipped out.

He was extremely over rated in that season anyway, I think fan morale was so down that fans just needed a local hero

He did ok, but his crossing in general was absolutely awful. He certainly could do no wrong, so it didn't surprise me that he got found out ever since.

I'd be more inclined to give Carruthers or Grealish run outs in front of Albrighton, and I think talent wise, he's closer to the Bannan & Delfounesos, rather than the top prospects

I'm not a huge fan of N'Zogbia but i'm gobsmacked Lamberts ostracising him as well as Bent. Both are options that are too valuable to just disregard like that in my opinion.

Newcastle are paying big money for Remy and Fulham have apparently decided against Bent, so theres a chance he could stay.

Have we ever seen Benteke & Bent up top together? I know it's not Lamberts preferred formation but having them two up top seems a mouthwatering combination for a team barely surviving relegation

WestHam. Bent and Benteke played well together. We won and Bent chipped in defensively.

[UK Redsox]

Retiring No19 for one season will but a whole lot of pressure on whoever gets the shirt in 14/15.

Lionel Messi can handle the pressure

[IFWaters]

I would rather we keep Bent. And I think he like playing for us as well, likes the club. I mean he hated Redknapp and Spurs and that's always a good start.

[tricky dicky]

I wonder if Benteke prefers number 20 or if this is a very mild punishment?

Assuming he still has the fans backing the club will undoubtedly make more money from selling name sets of players with 2 numbers on the shirt as opposed to those with single digits, if numbers cost £3 each there's a lot of money to be made

Or maybe Benteke just prefers the number 20 shirt.

This could be due to the fact that the club have sold lots of the new home shirt with Benteke's name on and don't want a load of returns or exchanges

[Richie]

Albrighton must be in last chance saloon by now. It shouldn't be a case of either N'Zog or Albrighton. N'Zog needs to be moved on because he doesn't justify being the top earner (he would be if we got rid of the bomb squad). Albrighton needs to find the form that he showed when he first broke through or be shipped out.

He was extremely over rated in that season anyway, I think fan morale was so down that fans just needed a local hero

He did ok, but his crossing in general was absolutely awful. He certainly could do no wrong, so it didn't surprise me that he got found out ever since.

I'd be more inclined to give Carruthers or Grealish run outs in front of Albrighton, and I think talent wise, he's closer to the Bannan & Delfounesos, rather than the top prospects

I'm not a huge fan of N'Zogbia but i'm gobsmacked Lamberts ostracising him as well as Bent. Both are options that are too valuable to just disregard like that in my opinion.

Newcastle are paying big money for Remy and Fulham have apparently decided against Bent, so theres a chance he could stay.

Have we ever seen Benteke & Bent up top together? I know it's not Lamberts preferred formation but having them two up top seems a mouthwatering combination for a team barely surviving relegation

WestHam. Bent and Benteke played well together. We won and Bent chipped in defensively.

I know what your saying, but its nowhere near as effective as the front 3 formation of Gabby - Benteke - Weimann.

This is obviously Lambert's preferred formation as well.

By the looks of it, the only reason Bent isn't a Fulham player is because they won't pay him anywhere near as much as he is earning at Villa.

[UK Redsox]

I've no problem with Bent losing the Number 9 shirt.

However, it should have been left vacant rather than being given to Helen straight away.

That way, if Benteke stays for 2014/15 he can have the shirt if he wants. If he doesn't want it (or leaves) and if Helen/Bowery proves worthy, one of them can have it.

[Monty]

Albrighton is an out-and-out winger, a type of player we don't really have any others of. He's a different option and, if he can get himself back on track, has showed he can be a very good and useful player. Last chance at the Villa, though.

[supertom]

Alby deserves another shot. I disagree on his crossing too. When he first broke in his crossing was very good. Whether it's a confidence thing or not, in the last couple of seasons it's been bobbins.
But when Houll was here, Albrighton made goals, and chipped in with a few too. He had good awareness making goalward runs from the right flank. I also think he has to play on the right. Sometimes Eck had him on the left and he doesn't look right there.

[Olneythelonely]

Benteke DOESN'T WANT the number 9 shirt. Helenius probably did. Bent won't be here next season. What's the issue?

[ADVILLAFAN]

No Siegriest, Burke, Grealish, or Donacien in the squad officially then.

good, they should be awarded when the players get into a proper matchday squad

May be that they are planning on loaning them out to get some experience of first team action!

Would like us to loan more youngsters out, playing reserve team football is no substitute for proper matches I think.

[bobdylan]

No Siegriest, Burke, Grealish, or Donacien in the squad officially then.

good, they should be awarded when the players get into a proper matchday squad

May be that they are planning on loaning them out to get some experience of first team action!

Would like us to loan more youngsters out, playing reserve team football is no substitute for proper matches I think.

Quite, I'd add Johnson, Webb, Robinson and Drennan to that list also.  If Albrighton is on one last chance I'd also let Gardner, Bowery and Carruthers out on loan as the squad looks pretty full now.

[dave.woodhall]

I wish we could keep Bent. It's about time we had an "Oh shit, they're bringing HIM on" player.