Topic: Darren Bent

[Bob Loblaw]

Definitely an option. A much better option than Owen IMO. He has a touch, is quick, can finish, team player. Ticks all the boxes for me!!

[Redrider]

Charlton trying to pump up interest in Bent by saying LFC are interested at £15m!!:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=455257&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

[Reds Turkish Delight]

The same thing happened in the summer and in January. I suppose it's a proven technique, say a big club has come in and the price shoots up. I can't see him coming myself and I think he will go to Spurs and partner Berbatov next season.

[jackh]

The same thing happened in the summer and in January. I suppose it's a proven technique, say a big club has come in and the price shoots up. I can't see him coming myself and I think he will go to Spurs and partner Berbatov next season.

Perhaps we good steal Robbie Keane of them in that case

[Reds Turkish Delight]

Robbie Keane is a good goalscorer but I don't think he would fit in. Could see him going to Villa to join Martin O Neil

[xabialonso05]

NO!!!

bye

[Georgi_Angelovski]

12 million at most

[Derrick May]

12 million at most

He's worth what someone is prepared to pay, and it will be a lot more than 12 million.

[TheRedBull]

He's worth no more than Andy Johnson. 8M to 10M sounds about right.

[Wyl]

He's worth no more than Andy Johnson. 8M to 10M sounds about right.

Similar goal scoring but wouldn't the fact that Bent is 3 years younger put his value above that of Andy Johnson?

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

No thanks. I'd much rather give Bellamy another season as apposed to signing a Premiership striker from a struggling club.

[toshi]

No thanks. I'd much rather give Bellamy another season as apposed to signing a Premiership striker from a struggling club.

what he said

[Gaz123456]

No better than Andy Johnson - and he plays for a small club

[Cusamano]

There is no way he will go for less then £12 million.

Charlton rejected a £17 million bid from West Ham FFS

[a partridge in seat_5c]

Overall stats:
200(176 starts) matches - 86 goals.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=28055

And remember, he is still young, only 22 years and he has scored goals constantly during his career,

86 in 176 starts, less than 1 in 2, for teams that aren't exactly the cream of the Premiership (I know not all those goals are in the Prem but it's still a good record)

the lad looks to me like one of those players that technically isn't the best, but is quick enough and good enough in the air to score goals throughout his career. A no-nonsense finisher.

We had one before in Ian Rush and he turned out OK. So did John Aldridge.

Andy Sir Andrew of the Cole is another one that Bent could seek to emulate. Slag Cole off all you like, and everyone did, but his goalscoring record spoke for itself. So did Les Ferdinand's.

Make a run, stick it in the net. Simple as that.

This may be heresy to some but Samuel Eto'o isn't exactly Ronaldinho either. But he can make a run and stick it in the net.

Bent would be a cheaper option than Eto'o. But would he be cheap enough to make him worth going for instead of just going for Eto'o himself ? It's very difficult to gauge how realistic the prices being bandied around are. Would Eto'o really cost £40m ? If he did, how much have we REALLY got in the bank once you take away the bluster from Tom Dick and George about money being no object if Rafa wants someone ?

I'd say Bent is a possibility, but it's difficult to be too confident about any potential signing because I've lost any notion I may once have had that I could understand what Benitez wants from his stikers. I woulkd never have predicted any of our current lot. Signing Crouch was a shock. So was Kuyt. So was Bellamy. So was Fowler. So was Voronin. That's 5 out of 5.

So even if "evidence" suggests that he must surely be interested in eg. Tevez, latin player, proven talent, Javier's mate, proven (now) in the Prem, blah blah blah, just watch Benitez go and sign someone completely different. Again.

[Hightown Phil]

I've not convinced that Bent has exactly what we need. I certainly don't think he's a £12m player anyway. Decent player, but I think we could do better.

[Mal]

86 in 176 starts, less than 1 in 2, for teams that aren't exactly the cream of the Premiership (I know not all those goals are in the Prem but it's still a good record)

the lad looks to me like one of those players that technically isn't the best, but is quick enough and good enough in the air to score goals throughout his career. A no-nonsense finisher.

We had one before in Ian Rush and he turned out OK. So did John Aldridge.

Andy Sir Andrew of the Cole is another one that Bent could seek to emulate. Slag Cole off all you like, and everyone did, but his goalscoring record spoke for itself. So did Les Ferdinand's.

Make a run, stick it in the net. Simple as that.

This may be heresy to some but Samuel Eto'o isn't exactly Ronaldinho either. But he can make a run and stick it in the net.

Bent would be a cheaper option than Eto'o. But would he be cheap enough to make him worth going for instead of just going for Eto'o himself ? It's very difficult to gauge how realistic the prices being bandied around are. Would Eto'o really cost £40m ? If he did, how much have we REALLY got in the bank once you take away the bluster from Tom Dick and George about money being no object if Rafa wants someone ?

I'd say Bent is a possibility, but it's difficult to be too confident about any potential signing because I've lost any notion I may once have had that I could understand what Benitez wants from his stikers. I woulkd never have predicted any of our current lot. Signing Crouch was a shock. So was Kuyt. So was Bellamy. So was Fowler. So was Voronin. That's 5 out of 5.

So even if "evidence" suggests that he must surely be interested in eg. Tevez, latin player, proven talent, Javier's mate, proven (now) in the Prem, blah blah blah, just watch Benitez go and sign someone completely different. Again.

Football has moved on since the 80's. Comparing strikers from different era's is ridiculous.

Bent is a decent forward in the same way that Louis Saha is, all pace & power, not enough technique & finesse to be able to link play & hold the ball up effectively.

Actually those characteristics ring a bell, I'm sure we signed someone like that a few years ago, french bloke........ Cisse, that's his name, what happened to him? Oh yeah, the manager shipped him out quick-sticks, not his type apparently...

Look, I'm sorry for the sarcasm  you might well be right, Benitez may well go and sign someone that's a surprise, it's just that I'd be fucking astonished if that surprise was Darren Bent, he'll go to Aston Villa or 'Boro or somewhere like that.

[BazC]

I've not convinced that Bent has exactly what we need. I certainly don't think he's a £12m player anyway. Decent player, but I think we could do better.

We could do better. But for £10m I think he's worth a shot because he's a finisher, and a pretty good one at that. Anything more (£17m is laughable) and Charlton can fuck off. The only clubs who could pay that much money for him would rather spend it on someone else, or, they just don't need him.

[The dude abides]

I never fancied Bent at any time.

Indeed this season he has been pretty awful.

If Charlton can get 15 million for him, then good luck to them.

[The dude abides]

Andy Sir Andrew of the Cole is another one that Bent could seek to emulate. Slag Cole off all you like, and everyone did, but his goalscoring record spoke for itself. So did Les Ferdinand's.

excellent post, mate.

just wanted to highlight the andy/andrew cole bit.

I always wondered why in recent seasons commentators refer to him as 'andrew' cole.

I did wonder if jonathan pearce was just being his usual pillocky self.....but I have since heard others also refer to the lad as 'andrew'.

Why/when did he change from 'andy' to 'andrew'?  Anyone know?

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

Why/when did he change from 'andy' to 'andrew'?  Anyone know?

He just decided a couple of seasons back, he was at Blackburn at the time.

[The dude abides]

cheers, Bill.

It sounds funny/odd hearing commentators use 'Andrew Cole' now.

I think Andy would have been better leaving it well alone.

[Finn Solomon]

Bent and Defoe are like clones. They're not really what we need at this point in Rafa's plans.

[The dude abides]

I agree, mate.

[a partridge in seat_5c]

think you'd be surprised at what Bent could do for us, lads. He'd finish chances, no question. None of this finishing 1 chance out of 4 fucking about shit that some of our current strikers are playing at, naming no names (OK, all of them).

as for Defoe, what happened to him ? The lad is a really talented player, really talented finisher. I saw the goals from his Bournemouth run where he scored about a dozen games on the trot, headers, left foot, right foot, the lot. But that was a long time ago now. Just seems to struggle to get into games these days. Is it his size or lack of it ?

Think his Spurs career has finished any chance he may once have had of ending up at a top 4 club now. Manchester United ? Having a giraffe, shirley ?

Can't see Bent's career going the same way as he is just too physically imposing.

[The dude abides]

to be honest I can picture him leading the line at Anfield, mate.

And Rafa is full of surprises, like you said in that excellent post earlier.

It would, by this point, not surprise me if Rafa moved for him this summer.

re defoe - yes, I think he's just too small and easily hussled off the ball.  When you're that small, you need a special trick or two - e.g. like owen's once electric pace. Defoe has no major trick.

[Hightown Phil]

think you'd be surprised at what Bent could do for us, lads. He'd finish chances, no question. None of this finishing 1 chance out of 4 fucking about shit that some of our current strikers are playing at, naming no names (OK, all of them).

as for Defoe, what happened to him ? The lad is a really talented player, really talented finisher. I saw the goals from his Bournemouth run where he scored about a dozen games on the trot, headers, left foot, right foot, the lot. But that was a long time ago now. Just seems to struggle to get into games these days. Is it his size or lack of it ?

Think his Spurs career has finished any chance he may once have had of ending up at a top 4 club now. Manchester United ? Having a giraffe, shirley ?

Can't see Bent's career going the same way as he is just too physically imposing.

It wouldn't surprise me if he did well if we were to sign him, I'm just not entirely sure he's got exactly what we need. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure he'd be able to make the step up to a top 4 side.

And Defoe, please God no.

[a partridge in seat_5c]

to be honest I can picture him leading the line at Anfield, mate.

And Rafa is full of surprises, like you said in that excellent post earlier.

It would, by this point, not surprise me if Rafa moved for him this summer.

are you humouring me ?
 

this has all the feel of a new tactic to get me to shut the fuck up. Just agree with him and he'll go away
 

[abetts]

Bascombe of the Echo hints that we'll move for Bent:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0400matchreport/tm_headline=liverpool-2%2D-charlton-athletic-2-%2Decho%2D%26method=full%26objectid=19101002%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

"By then, Liverpool were fighting to preserve a proud home record. As one legend departed, Darren Bent staked his claim to fill Fowler’s number nine shirt.

Bent is clearly too good to begin next season outside the Premiership, and the manner in which he thumped Charlton into the lead may have been an appropriate taste of what’s to come.

While the supporters still dream of £30m bids for Samuel Eto’o, Benitez has shown in the past he’s more inclined to spend much less on players with the hunger and desire to take the step up.

The Anfield boss will be grateful the sitters wasted by Zeng Zhi didn’t fall at the feet of Bent, otherwise a heavy defeat was on the cards."

[The dude abides]

are you humouring me ?
 

this has all the feel of a new tactic to get me to shut the fuck up. Just agree with him and he'll go away
 

sorry, only after seeing this post now.

no, I'm serious.  I can see Rafa being interested in Bent. 

Rafa has no history of paying megabucks for established primadonnas.

We can see this with his signing of forwards like crouch, fowler, Voronin, kuyt, etc.

Bent is used to the english league.  He may well excel with the chances that he'd get when playing for Liverpool.

He wouldn't be my first choice this summer, to buy...but heck what do I know? - I was aghast and laughed off stories that we were keen on buying crouch! lol

[Darren G]

sorry, only after seeing this post now.

no, I'm serious.  I can see Rafa being interested in Bent. 

Rafa has no history of paying megabucks for established primadonnas.

We can see this with his signing of forwards like crouch, fowler, Voronin, kuyt, etc.

Bent is used to the english league.  He may well excel with the chances that he'd get when playing for Liverpool.

He wouldn't be my first choice this summer, to buy...but heck what do I know? - I was aghast and laughed off stories that we were keen on buying crouch! lol

 Isn't that mainly due to the fact that Rafa has never had megabucks to spend though?  No telling what he'll do at this point I would think.

[The dude abides]

true mate

but i tend to think that Rafa is thrifty when it comes to spending money

he likes value for money

mind you, i hope he pushes the boat out for Tevez.

[Darren G]

true mate

but i tend to think that Rafa is thrifty when it comes to spending money

he likes value for money

mind you, i hope he pushes the boat out for Tevez.

 Seconded.  I feel in short that he could potentially add more to our side overall than any other forward in the world at present.

[The dude abides]

i agree

if we only sign one player, i hope it's tevez.

[shangtsung]

I wouldn't mind Tevez and Bent coming in to supplement our strikeforce. However, I do not entirely want Bellamy to go, and I do question Bent's aggression during games.

[The dude abides]

same here, mate

I have always been a major fan of Bellamy, from his early career.

I hope we hold onto him.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Voronin has played in midfield at times, perhaps that is where Rafa sees him? I think the fact that he is versatile appealed to Benitez. I definately see Crouch and Kuyt here next season. If Voronin has been signed to play in midfield, that would leave two spots open upfront.

[xavidub]

In my dreams, we will sign Tevez and Torres but I'd settle for Tevez and Bent because they are both proven in the Premiership.

[BazC]

In my dreams, we will sign Tevez and Torres but I'd settle for Tevez and Bent because they are both proven in the Premiership.

Tevez and Eto'o for me... but Tevez and Bent still sounds very good.

[TheoRacle]

think you'd be surprised at what Bent could do for us, lads. He'd finish chances, no question. None of this finishing 1 chance out of 4 fucking about shit that some of our current strikers are playing at, naming no names (OK, all of them).

I'd be very surprised. As has been mentioned before, Bent is a player in the Bellamy mould sans agression.

According to ESPN he's had 78 shots this season of which 40 have been on target a ratio of 20:39.  His 13 league goals and 1 assist represent a whopping 28.6% of Charlton's total goal for the season suggesting that pretty much everything goes through him. He played all but 15 minutes of 32 league games this season suggesting he also was given a good run in the team despite going through a barren spell of 9 games during Nov and Dec of last year (including matches against Wigan, Reading, Sheff Utd, Everton and Blackburn, Wycombe Wanderers (Carling Cup) and Middlesborough I might add!)

In contrast, Bellamy made just 27 league appearances for us. Bellamy's longest baren spell was 10 games which include 2 FIFA friendlies and 2 games against Chelsea (most miserly defence in the league).  Craig had 59 shots of which more than half ie 39 were on target (roughly 2:3 vs Bent's 1:2). Bellamy scored 7 league goals and made 4 assists contibuting 14.7% of our league total. A point of note is that Bellamy's other goals and assists came as significant contributions in our wins over Chelsea in the Community Shield and Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League.

Quite why people think that Bent would out perform Bellamy and therefore justify a 15million spend when in all likelihood Bent would not record the same kind of stats when faced with the challenges that a Liverpool striker faces each week is frankly, beyond me.

I can only assume that being English with a double digit goal return in a weak team has persuaded people subconciously in to thinking that he's better than he actually is.

Hopefully, Rafa is not fooled and we spend our money on someone who can offer a significantly better option upfront to either compliment Bellamy or completely and demonstrably outclass him.