Boring Bent talk needs to end
Written it on numerous occasions, but there are few Villa players that polarise opinion like Darren Bent. Regular readers of this blog will know I’m firmly in the pro Bent camp, but there are plenty of others who see things very differently.
When a few press reports came out on the weekend linking Bent with a move away, the usual arguments came out, both in favour and against whether we should sell him. The thing is we’ve heard it all before, and I think Bent has been linked with a move away every window since we first bought him here. Now Villa have come out and denied there is any truth in the Bent sale rumours, with a spokesman saying the following:
“There is not a problem,”
“The manager has explained why he has not selected Darren for the last two games and has said his door is open if the player wants to discuss the matter.”
Hopefully that puts an end to the matter (well until the transfer window anyway) but we all probably know it won’t. I personally think it would be a massive mistake to sell the player, because even though I rate our other strikers at the club, I just can’t see them scoring enough goals. People continually cite Bent’s lack of all round game, but the only figure that should matter with him is goals, and a record of nearly 1 in 2 goals per game is a terrific figure.
Gabby runs around a lot, but you can’t rely on him for goals, and I think it’s approaching a year since he last scored at Villa Park. Benteke, Weimann and Bowery are all young, relatively unproven and may blow hot and cold. You’d hope that if Bent were to go we’d replace him, but you could be 99% certain they wouldn’t be a recognised Premiership goal scorer like Bent is. I have concerns about where goals will come from with Bent still a Villa player….these concerns would only increase should he leave.
I don’t believe the talk that we’ll be happy to take a loss on the player either. Randy has proven that when it comes to our star names, he usually drives a hard bargain. The top clubs wouldn’t be interested, so that only leaves a few realistic candidates. Liverpool clearly need a striker, but would they want to go in for another expensive, older player? QPR have money but look a shambles, and besides those there aren’t many teams that spring to mind.
I hope that Lambert finds a starting place for Bent, and I hope the constant speculation and the petty arguments between fans also come to an end soon.
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Probably all press nonsense anyway. Personally I’m happy with the forwards we’ve got at the club but would like to see a bit more steel and creativity in midfield.
Probably mate. I am as well, good mix of styles, just need to utilise them better, and as per, improve the service.
Totally agree, defensive midfield is an absolute priority for me. I say wingers as well but Lambert doesn’t really seem to use them in the traditional sense. We wrote the other day but we drastically need to improve the amount of goals from midfield.