The New Charlton

cafcdan18

Watched highlights of Sunderland v Hull. All goalscorers for Sunderland used to play for us and look as though they could form the nucleus of a very good Premiership side. Am I the only one asking what if Reid and Bent were fully fit for longer in 2006/07.
Even though I doubt he will go to the World Cup (and who am I to tell Capello who to take), Bent should be given a chance in England next two qualifiers away in Ukraine and at home to Belarus, to see if he can repicate club form. Capello knows what Rooney, Heskey etc can do so these games should be a chance for the fringe sqaud players to stake a claim. Bent imo would be better than Defoe as he is a better all round forward and even Turner could spring a surprise, saw Upson against Croatia and am very unconvinced by him if JT or Rio get an injury

Salad

Two assists and a goal for Reid who was motm in the indy and 'outstanding' in the telegraph.

According to The Guardian, "Darren Bent's attacking performance was flawless. All of his passes (11) found a team-mate, and both of his shots ended up in the net."

Exiled_Addick

I've long said that Benty should be in the England team, or at least deserves a run of 2 or 3 starts. I don't think he's top international class, but neither are Heskey, Defoe (maybe as a finisher but not the rest of his game) or Crouch. Benty is the closest we have to a player who can hold the ball up like Heskey and finish like Defoe.

As for Reidy, he apparently lost about 15lbs or something stupid and looks very well for it. I'd have loved to see him and Benty get a proper run in the same Charlton team - they could have complemented each other just as well as Murphy and Bent did but without the Murphy sulking. Pardew was never going to get him fit enough for him to show his best at premiership level though - full marks to Bruce for getting him off the pies because many other managers have failed to do that.

SE7

Altough I may be slightly biased I have also stood by the opinion that Bent has more to offer in attack than Defoe. He has better accelaration to brake away from opposing defenders and IMO is more clinical in front of goal. He may not have the shooting range but he certainly offers more from set pieces aierailly.

Totally agree that he should be given a start against Ukraine. Perhaps partnering Defoe. As for Andy Reid, now he has cut down on the pies I see him having a great season and was always far to good for the CC. As Dan says, if they were both fit for the majority of 06/07, we may still be applying our trade in the Prem finishing mid table. But who wants that when you can have the ups and downs of Parkinsella's Red n White Army

BlackForestReds

Defoe I think is a better player/goal scorer-poacher than Bent, but his form goes in fits and starts. When he's motivated and hungry, as right now, Defoe will score goals, but will he be that hungry in November/December? Typically his bursts of form don't last that long.

Bent though is far more flexible - he can play in just about every formation and with any other forward, Defoe isn't that flexible. As regards who goes to the WC...England need to take someone to fill every available contingency and in any case Bent is one of the top five English strikers.

razil

Bents prob is he hasn't taken the limited chances he's been given at top level, can't help thinking those two misses in the cup at boro didn't help his cause - agree tho that he offers more than defoe, and would probably benefit from an England team who now seem to be playing as a team each time.

WSS

Over the past 4/5 seasons Rooney is the only English player has scored more goals than Bent. Speaks for itself.

BlackForestReds

As we saw at the last WC, there's a lot of politics involved in who does and doesn't play for England.

Elthamaddick

not many better players than Bent as a lone front man, quick, strong, good in the air and will run all day long.........sadly I can't see him getting a look in for England, unless Heskey, Crouch and C Cole all get serious injuries

Ketman

Bent will never play for England regularly unless he plays for one of the Big clubs & get regular European experience, sadly for him.

cafcdan18

Defoe will score all day long against Andorra and Slovenia but in the knowckout stages of World Cup against Brazil or Spain, I am unconvinced he can cut it. Bent is not in Rooneys class but is a better all round player than Defoe and will score consistently over the season as opposed to Defoe's bursts.
No way should C Cole go to S Africa in place of Bent. Bent can do everything Cole can do and score regularly.
Strikers for W Cup: Rooney, Crouch, Heskey, Owen and Bent

dabos

[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]Bent will never play for England regularly unless he plays for one of the Big clubs & get regular European experience, sadly for him.

I don't think Fabio cares about this as much - Upson/Green are now regulars in the first team (albeit because of injury). I'd be amazed if Capello didn't call him up to the squad soon. As others have alluded to, Carlton Cole isn't in the same league as Benty - as a person or a footballer.