[Confirmed] Bent signs

[Ollessendro]

Found the old thread.

Fjortoft 37 (6) --------23 ----1.6
Blake 59 (15) -------- 35 ---- 1.7
Beattie 60 (5)---------34 ----1.7
Marcelo 60 (20) ------ 32 ---- 1.9
Peschy 41 (54) ------- 20 ---- 2
Lester 31 (19) -------- 14 ---- 2.2
Bent 56 (0) ---------- 24 ---- 2.3
Gray 61 (2) ---------- 26 ---- 2.3
Asaba 60 (17) -------- 24 --- 2.5
Taylor 69 (36) -------- 26 ----2.7
Shipps 34 (5) -------- 11 ----- 3
Hendo 58 (7) --------- 17 ---- 3.4

Perhaps you are right Rev. I saw he's been oout on loan and not rerally done much. However, would you argue that he is not significantly better than what we've got? You don't lose goals coring tocuh over night and this may be exactly what he needs to get his goal scoring touch back.

 

[Revolution]

Micky Adams has worked with him before. He was at Leicester, and bagged 10 in about 30 games.

Seven seasons ago...

---------- Post added at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 PM ----------

Perhaps you are right Rev. I saw he's been oout on loan and not rerally done much. However, would you argue that he is not significantly better than what we've got?

Believe me, I am no fan of our forwards, but I don't think that Bent has played enough recently to enable you to say that he's definitely better.

Also, on the basis that we will only bring in one person (if anyone at all) on big money, I would prefer a Defender, myself.

You don't lose goal scoring touch over night

The form of Cresswell, Ward and Bogdanovic would suggest otherwise.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I still haven't forgiven him for that terrible miss at Hillsborough in the League Cup in 2000...

We have precious few options up front at the minute - discounting Hendo, the 4 currently available have not been performing consistently. Bent knows the club, knows what is expected, and has been in precisely the same scenario with us before. He should be hungry for game-time, and I think he'd be useful to play. It would also mean that we could shift Ward back to the wing if necessary and not lose out on pace up front. Even if he has lost pace, Bent will surely be quicker than Ched, Cresswell & Boggy.

 

[Ollessendro]

Believe me, I am no fan of our forwards, but I don't think that Bent has played enough recently to enable you to say that he's definitely better.

Also, on the basis that we will only bring in one person (if anyone at all) on big money, I would prefer a Defender, myself.

That's a good point. However Adams brought in 2 new defenders last week. His comments after the game (if you don't concede you don;t lose games) suggest that he values clean sheets and if we go for a big eanring player then he would bring in an exprienced defender.

You don't lose goal scoring touch over night

The form of Cresswell, Ward and Bogdanovic would suggest otherwise.

Touche.

I guess this falls down to Adams. He will meet Bent and judge his attitude. If he is training he will be able to make a judgement on form, hunger, sharpness and the like. This is where it will count and we have to trust Adamns judgement. If he is signed I would presume that he has been flying in any training sessions and has convinced him that he can fire us out of trouble.

 

[Yossarian]

That about sums it up Ollie. We've just got to trust Adams' judgement. And at this moment, I trust it a damn sight further than KB's. It's refreshing the way we're going about business during this transfer window. It seemed previously to be a case of trial and error, whereas this time it seems more professional and considered.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

It's 50/50 for me. We definitely need presence up front, presuming Hendo is out for the foreseeable and Bent certainly provides that. I also think he would fit into MA's style of play and, dare I say, could be a decent partner for Chedders. However, his fitness has to be taken on trust and I wouldn't be spending a large slice of our budget on him, particularly if it meant missing out on other targets such as Reid.

It's one of those, I wouldn't be against it if he did sign and wouldn't be bothered if it didn't happen. As others have said, he could be another HMS Shipperley, probably one of the signings I was most against in the last 20 years !

 

[Revolution]

That about sums it up Ollie. We've just got to trust Adams' judgement. And at this moment, I trust it a damn sight further than KB's. It's refreshing the way we're going about business during this transfer window. It seemed previously to be a case of trial and error, whereas this time it seems more professional and considered.

All I see so far is signing a lot of random kids with little or no experience at or above our level.

 

[beechblade]

All I see so far is signing a lot of random kids with little or no experience at or above our level.

Some of those signings were done prior to his appointment. As for the ones he has signed, maybe he hasn't found the right player with experience, by the right player I mean a player with the desire and attitude for a dog fight, Adams also said he wouldn't take others teams problem players and if those are the players being offered to him then he may have seen a better attitude in the youngsters. Experience is great but lets face there are alot of players out there with experience but who have the wrong attitude and would rather sit in reserves cashing in large pay checks.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

All signings for the development squad have little or nothing to do with MA. This is Pembo's baby.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Once again I agree with Olle on this. Its a good signing and he will add much needed experience and strength to the squad. People who say he hasnt scored for a while are countering their own argument by stating his lack of games. How the fuck is he supposed to score if he's not playing?!!!

He is indeed a lot better than anything we have and with regular games there is no reason why he cant score some important goals for us. An experienced pro with a good pedigree is exactly what we need to get out of this mess. Bent is a clever move by Micky IMO and if he does start regularly I firmly believe he will prove the doubters wrong.

I'm not saying we can totally hang our hat on Marcus Bent but he will bring something to the table that we dont have. The lad has kept himself in good condition but he needs regular football and we can give him that. He will cost us sod all in terms of a fee and will be playing for a manager who is more than capable of getting the best out of him.

 

[Revolution]

People who say he hasnt scored for a while are countering their own argument by stating his lack of games. How the fuck is he supposed to score if he's not playing?!!!

Unlike you, I have actually looked at his record.

The last time Bent did play regularly, he was no goal machine. He was no Ched Evans, for that matter. He managed 3 goals in 33 appearances for Birmingham 2 years ago.

 

[beightonblade]

we've got a gud un in Micky and McCabe who has given up .......... miricles do happen don't they ?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

People who say he hasnt scored for a while are countering their own argument by stating his lack of games. How the fuck is he supposed to score if he's not playing?!!!

Unlike you, I have actually looked at his record.

The last time Bent did play regularly, he was no goal machine. He was no Ched Evans, for that matter. He managed 3 goals in 33 appearances for Birmingham 2 years ago.

How do you know I havent looked at his scoring record? Perhaps I'm looking at a different isolated period of his career to what you are, as a means of judging his potential/ability.

You're doing the typical Blades supporter thing.....write a player off before he arrives. A lot of people did the same with Cresswell before he scored a number of goals for us.

We're in a position where we dont have money to spend on transfer fees and we're not an attractive move to players in form. We therefore have to look at players who are desperate to play and will step right down to revive their careers. We have to get the best out of what we can get. What kind of players are you expecting us to sign in our predicament?????

 

[beechblade]

What kind of players are you expecting us to sign in our predicament?????

I'd say thats the true problem for some answering that question.

I stand with Jim that I'm 50/50 on Marcus Bent, there are other players I'd rather see, but when I think about fees and wages, that lists rapidly shrinks.

 

[Revolution]

What kind of players are you expecting us to sign in our predicament?????

Defenders and people who don't have a terrible injury record. Both will be of more use than Marcus Bent and some will presumably be available notwithstanding McCabe giving up, sorry us not having any money to spend. Also Andy Reid, who did sign for us in our predicament.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Defenders and people who don't have a terrible injury record. Both will be of more use than Marcus Bent and some will presumably be available notwithstanding McCabe giving up, sorry us not having any money to spend. Also Andy Reid, who did sign for us in our predicament.

Wasnt playing and needed games. Has now told Micky Adams he would rather go somewhere else.....my point stands.

We've just signed two defenders, both on loan so there cant be a great deal of money available at the moment.

I'll keep an open mind regarding Marcus Bent. The manager is no fool and if he brings Bent in he clearly believes he's up to it. If he comes in and scores/sets up some important goals.....I couldnt give a toss what his recent scoring record is or how many games he has played. He was a good servant to the club last time he was here and we made a fair bit of profit on him when he was sold. He will probably be coming on loan/free.....win, win as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Revolution]

If he comes in and scores/sets up some important goals.....I couldnt give a toss what his recent scoring record is or how many games he has played.

Neither will anyone else, so what's your point? Do you think we should sign people without considering their recent track record at all?

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Neither will anyone else, so what's your point??

I think your acknowledgment of that inevitability clearly shows that you know exactly what my point is.

Do you think we should sign people without considering their recent track record at all?

No, I'm saying we shouldn't write them off because of it.....which is the crux of my point, as you know.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

If he comes in and scores/sets up some important goals.....I couldnt give a toss what his recent scoring record is or how many games he has played.

Neither will anyone else, so what's your point? Do you think we should sign people without considering their recent track record at all?

I think your acknowledgment of that inevitability clearly shows that you know exactly what my point is.

No, I'm saying we shouldn't write them off because of it.....which is the crux of my point, as you know.

A lot of it is definitely pre-conceived ideas though. I would hazard a guess that signing Kevin Phillips would be greeted with euphoria on here yet he's had the same injury problems and lack of starts as Bent and is a few years older. OK, his goal scoring record is probably 2nd to none but there'd be several potential problems with signing him which most would be happy to overlook.

 

[Yossarian]

I'd actually be even more skeptical with Phillips. He's 37, for Christ's sake. Like I said, why not Brian Deane? At least he's a Blade.

 

[Bladesman]

A lot of it is definitely pre-conceived ideas though. I would hazard a guess that signing Kevin Phillips would be greeted with euphoria on here yet he's had the same injury problems and lack of starts as Bent and is a few years older. OK, his goal scoring record is probably 2nd to none but there'd be several potential problems with signing him which most would be happy to overlook.

Phillips despite injury can still score goals unlike Bent who has not been able to find the back of the net for 2 years. True his goal scoring record before joining us last time round was nothing special but the difference back then was he was 22 years old.

If he signs as always most of our fans will back him but I just find it very hard to see how he can turn his career around.

 

[j j]

Hasn't Bent has played much of his recent career in midfield rather than as centre forward? That would do much to explain his lack of goals.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

A lot of it is definitely pre-conceived ideas though. I would hazard a guess that signing Kevin Phillips would be greeted with euphoria on here yet he's had the same injury problems and lack of starts as Bent and is a few years older. OK, his goal scoring record is probably 2nd to none but there'd be several potential problems with signing him which most would be happy to overlook.

Its a good point well made Jim and without picking on rev's argument specifically, most opinions on players are based on perception or in some cases on a player's image.

Marcus Bent is seen as a journeyman striker (cant argue much with that) but one that cant score, simply because he's moved around a lot and hasnt settled anywhere long enough. Perhaps if he had dropped down a division a long time ago instead of moving to PL clubs, he might be viewed as a proven second tier striker? I have no doubt that his abilities are up to being one.....I've seen him play more times than I can remember.

With Kevin Phillips, you have a player who has made the right moves to the right clubs at the right time for most of his career. All credit to him for that and he's done a magnicificent job for many of them. But people forget his time at Aston Villa, when he wasnt so prolific.....perhaps if he had moved around PL clubs to be a squad player, he would have been another Marcus Bent.....we'll never know.

I just dont see how anyone can turn their nose up at Marcus Bent with the current squad we have

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Phillips despite injury can still score goals unlike Bent who has not been able to find the back of the net for 2 years. True his goal scoring record before joining us last time round was nothing special but the difference back then was he was 22 years old.

If he signs as always most of our fans will back him but I just find it very hard to see how he can turn his career around.

When was the last time he started games as No.1 choice or at least as part of a regular strike force though ?

As I said earlier, take him or leave him but if he's injury free then it's not a bad signing at this level providing he's shown enough at Shirecliffe. If he hasn't then surely the transfer wouldn't be going ahead.

 

[Bladesman]

Hasn't Bent has played much of his recent career in midfield rather than as centre forward? That would do much to explain his lack of goals.

I don't think that is true but its a good excuse for his lack of goals.

 

[beechblade]

Phillips despite injury can still score goals unlike Bent who has not been able to find the back of the net for 2 years. True his goal scoring record before joining us last time round was nothing special but the difference back then was he was 22 years old.

If he signs as always most of our fans will back him but I just find it very hard to see how he can turn his career around.

Honestly I don't find it hard, any footballer can turn their career around but its up to them, they've got to sure the desire and passion to play games, also to play and train to the best of their ability, if he has kept himself in good shape and is hungry enough to rekindle his career then he can, but managers can also help with this, Warnock did to a few players lets hope Micky can to MB if he signs.

 

[Linz]

Until it is confirmed as FACT, this content of this thread remains a rumour.

So it's shifted to the Rumour Mill.

As soon as we have confirmation either by official text or on the OS, please keep "FACT!"s in the relevant forum.

 

[Bladesman]

Honestly I don't find it hard, any footballer can turn their career around but its up to them, they've got to sure the desire and passion to play games, also to play and train to the best of their ability, if he has kept himself in good shape and is hungry enough to rekindle his career then he can, but managers can also help with this, Warnock did to a few players lets hope Micky can to MB if he signs.

Now you see had he not already been loaned out to so many clubs in the last few years Id concede that he may really want to turn his career around. Although he seems to have been given a fair chance at championship and premeirship level and not really grasped it.

 

[beechblade]

Now you see had he not already been loaned out to so many clubs in the last few years Id concede that he may really want to turn his career around. Although he seems to have been given a fair chance at championship and premeirship level and not really grasped it.

That comes down to his attitude, but it can also be affected by many other factors in the other clubs managers or coaching, or maybe it was himself, lets just hope if it's the latter he's changed and that he realises there won't be too many chances left. But if he hasn't got the right attitude I think I have enough faith in Micky that he won't sign him.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Paul Walker has just tweeted that Marcus Bent has signed on loan till the end of the season