Darren Bent - so what now?

[Lucky Eddie]

just to clarify, was the dfinished shorthand for definitely finished? could be a bit harsh if so

Harsh? What he's been accused of is bloomin harsh! I wouldn't have him anywhere near my squad of players if there's an ounce of truth in it.

What has he been accused of?

Don't expect to be presented with any evidence.

Hence I said 'if' there's an ounce of truth in it and that the accusation is harsh.

[Dave]

What accusation?

[Clark W Griswold]

There's always an element of comical opinion on this site, behind Bowery? Behind Holt (fuck a duck!).

Bents record - 54 (9) appearances 21 goals for Aston Villa
He came in half way through a season, he's had 4 different managers if you include McAllister, he's had injuries, he's been in and out of the side under Lambert, he's played with some shite players around him (for most of the time anyway), and he has a goalscoring record like that.
Yes, he didn't look too good with Benteke as a pair and yes he probably earns a lot of money. He also had a poorish season at Fulham, but people really have that little regard for him.

Not sure what he's supposed to have done as per some of the comment above that are almost making him comparable to Rolf Harris, but i'm keen to hear the evidence.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Trying to fathom this one out ... Benteke will probably be out and far from his best until Christmas

So, as it stands our strikeforce will be picked from Agbonlahor, Weimann, Bowery, Kozak (if fit) and maybe Robinson. Oh, and a proven goalscorer called Darren Bent

No contest really

[QBVILLA]

There's always an element of comical opinion on this site, behind Bowery? Behind Holt (fuck a duck!).

Bents record - 54 (9) appearances 21 goals for Aston Villa
He came in half way through a season, he's had 4 different managers if you include McAllister, he's had injuries, he's been in and out of the side under Lambert, he's played with some shite players around him (for most of the time anyway), and he has a goalscoring record like that.
Yes, he didn't look too good with Benteke as a pair and yes he probably earns a lot of money. He also had a poorish season at Fulham, but people really have that little regard for him.

Not sure what he's supposed to have done as per some of the comment above that are almost making him comparable to Rolf Harris, but i'm keen to hear the evidence.

Bowery seems to be getting some plaudits because he runs about. I'll take Darren Bent standing still and sticking the ball in the net any day.

[aj2k77]

Bowery has had 1 good 45 minutes for the club, please, if we are 1-0 down with 15 minutes left and a half chance falls to someone in the area I know who I'd rather have on the end of it.

Bowery should not be playing for a club like ours, Chesterfield fans didn't even rate him.

[supertom]

Bowery has had 1 good 45 minutes for the club, please, if we are 1-0 down with 15 minutes left and a half chance falls to someone in the area I know who I'd rather have on the end of it.

Bowery should not be playing for a club like ours, Chesterfield fans didn't even rate him.

This. It became unfortunately clear in the final two games that Bowery just isn't good enough at this level. A good half against a half-arsed Hull, who gave him and Weimann a lot of time and space doesn't make him Prem standard. I hoped it was a sign he could kick on, but against decent opposition he  was lost.

[Clark W Griswold]

Don't get me wrong, i've got nowt against Bowery. He's always tried hard when picked, didn't cost a lot and if he's still in the squad next season i wouldn't mind too much even though he's pretty substandard at this level. But for people to pick him ahead of not long ago England striker Darren Bent is nothing short of hilarious. And don't get me started on Holt :-)
I'd play Bent up top with either Gabby or Kozak in the absence of Benteke.

[bobdylan]

Front 3 should be Weimann, Bent, Gabby, with N'Zog, Kozak and Benteke to return from injury sooner or later hopefully to compete for those positions.  Robinson, Bowery, Grealish and Tonev aren' really ready yet imo and Helenius is off apparently.

[MoetVillan]

Darren Bent WAS a proven goalscorer.  A bit like Yorke.  He hasnt just got better (Like Nzogbia appears to on these pages) because he hasnt played for us for months and months.  With our current plague of injuries, he is a useful player to have, but his past 18 months of play (remember he could barely get a game at a woeful Fulham despite having the opportunity to appeal to 5 or so managers there puts him below Weimann and Gabby and miles behind Kozak and Benteke.  Bowery and Holt looked more potent in their appearances at VP this season than Bent did at Craven cottage

[bobdylan]

Below Gabby?  Gabby played almost every game last season and scored 4, Bent hardly played and scored 6.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm sorry but I'd rather have a Darren Bent who's on the decline than Jordan Bowery.

[Dribbler]

There are very few players out there, if any, that will shine and be brilliant whatever players they are playing with and in any system. Players have strengths and weaknesses and it is up to managers to try and utlise the strengths and qualities of the players they have at their disposal to maximise the effectiveness of those players as a team.

For me, good managers do this, yes they have an ideal system they would like to play and the players they would like to have at their disposal, but usually when coming in to a club, even with money at their disposal, that takes several years, if at all, to acheive. In the meantime a manager has to work best with what he has to field the best team and get the best results in that period of transition. To me, this has been one of Lambert's failings, even with the mitigating factor of the financial restraints he's had to work under. I wonder how much money has been saved on Bent by his bomb squad treatment and loaning out over the last couple of years?

Darren Bent can do a job for us, if we can utilise his strengths, i'm just not sure Lambert can or will. He will try and shoehorn him into a role in a system that will highlight his weaknesses more than his strengths.

[N'ZMAV]

Bent will do a better job than Holt.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Bent scored regularly for us when he had Young, Downing (ducks) and Gabby (on form) providing the openings for him.
I don't think we have anyone who can open up a defence or deliver a decent through ball anymore.