Could Bent surprise us next season?

[dannythomas]

Perhaps you should watch a re-run of Berbatov firing the ball straight at Cudicini in the dying seconds at the Lane when he had all the time in the world (or at least all the time a top-class finisher should need) to place it beyond his reach. Or maybe against the Barcodes at the Lane the season before last when Ghaly cut the ball back to him and he got it tangled up in his feet. Or the CC SF first leg, when we should have been 4-0 up and the Scum dead and buried by the time he went off if he and Defoe hadn't screwed up several good chances.

But by all means slag off Bent. You were willing him to fail before he'd even concluded the deal last summer, so why change your tune now?

I don't will any of our players to fail. I just don't happen to think he is in the same class as Berbatov and therefore it is perfectly reasonable for me to disagree when people say it doesn't matter if Berbatov leaves because Bent can take over. I suspect I am not alone in that view. Berbatov's contribution goes far beyond his goals in terms of his link up play. Just like the great Alan Gilzean who we both remember. Bent's contribution pretty much relates to his goals - he adds not a great deal to our team shape.

I was indeed against the deal last summer but if he surprises me and scores 30 goals next season I will be delighted. I will equally be delighted if Zokora suddenly becomes a top class midfielder and the answer to all our DM needs. But I must admit to being sceptical on both counts.

In fact my observation about Bent missing that opportunity in the NL derby ( in fact he missed 2 chances within a few minutes of each other ) was simply to point out that he might have had that confidence boost of a vital goal and it could have kick started his spurs career and silenced the " what a waste of money " chants from the Scum fans.. Contrary to what you might think I was willing him to put the ball into the net at that moment , just as I was willing Zokora to score the winner when clean through in the final against the mercenaries . Sadly neither succeeded.

 

[Kendall]

While you're right Berbatov is in a different class to Bent sometimes you need good players on the bench. Do you really believe that we could get someone better as a 3rd choice?

Bent could score more next season as he has supply, he could play like an Eto'o-like player with the likes of Modric/Dos Santos supporting him.

He has all the attributes to be a consistent scorer for us, I just hope he gets the chance now that we have identified a problem with our midfield supply.

Eduardo isn't in the same class as Henry, but the emergence of Fabregas and Flamini last season meant he was able to score goals to a consistent level.

 

[dirtydave]

england really need bent to start shining, no matter who he plays for.

 

[Bobbins]

Good point DD, the England squad is crying out for a quick, strong, direct goal-scorer, which is exactly what Bent is, when at his best.

 

[paulspursman]

why everyone hate bent so much?? its not his fault we signed him for £16m and he hasnt had much of a chance to play yet. when he did play he near enough every time scored or at least had a few chances. its not like he is the most useless striker a premiership team could have. he got almost as many goals as rooney last season

 

[talkshowhost86]

Give him a midfield who can pass and he'll score goals. He really didn't miss many chances last season he's just not the sort of striker who creates things for himself like Keane and Berba.

 

[ultimateloner]

Bent looks average. He has good physical attributes including pace, stamina etc. Not at all technical. Best deployed in the last 15mins of a game to out muscle tired defenders.
He doesn't have the class to carry us. We need much better for a STARTING striker..

 

[seneca]

bent is a natural goal scorer, good in the air, with pace. if played he will always score and do a decent job. he is nowhere near as good a footballer as berbs or keane. actually nor was lineker. or clive allen... different players for different roles. i'd love to have the squad working where all three get to play regularly, to suit the situation.

 

[SpurSince57]

Bent looks average. He has good physical attributes including pace, stamina etc. Not at all technical. Best deployed in the last 15mins of a game to out muscle tired defenders.
He doesn't have the class to carry us. We need much better for a STARTING striker..

Do we want a striker to carry us? I certainly don't want us o be a one-man band. Do you?

We signed him as an out-and-out striker to replace Defoe, not as a playmaker.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

bent is a natural goal scorer, good in the air, with pace. if played he will always score and do a decent job. he is nowhere near as good a footballer as berbs or keane. actually nor was lineker. or clive allen... different players for different roles. i'd love to have the squad working where all three get to play regularly, to suit the situation.

But is the day of the old out-and-out striker yet another part of the game that's sort of become defunct, bit like the sweeper? :shrug:

The offside rule and just the way teams play now doesn't really lend itself to the old goal-hanging snipers we watched a few years ago. The only way that type of player can be effective is with a pin-point delivery or knock on through the defence to pounce on and that is something we've lacked in a looong time. Huddlestone showed that kind of awareness and passing, but it's waned for whatever reason. We're not alone - i can only think of maybe two or three players in the prem right now that could really make use of playing with an old fashioned striker in front of them.