Spurs have the PERFECT £16.5m solution for losing Keane and Berbatov!
by Mr Comfort on July 31st, 2008Recent events at White Hart Lane have rightly concerned Tottenham supporters. Just how will they manage to cope without the goals of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov? Maybe the answer to allay these worries is already at the club?
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Before any non-Tottenham fan scoffs at the following suggestion, and they will, it’s worth noting that the man who could solve the crisis has a very healthy scoring record in the Premier League and is scoring for fun as the north London club steamrollers the pre-season opposition. Yes the man in question is none other than Darren Bent.
Outside N17, the former Charlton man has become something of a comedy figure. Indeed, some fans of the club itself may also chuckle at the England international, but the truth is that Bent hasn’t been a flop at the club and the 24-year-old is constantly having to apologise and justify his price tag, something he obviously has no control over. For the record, Darren started 15 games last season and scored eight times, which is hardly a horrendous failure!
He has managed two successive hat-tricks in recent days and, whilst the opposition were not the strongest, it does show that the striker is going about things in a professional manner knowing that now could be the chance to impress Juande Ramos and persuade him that he need look no further than the club’s number 23 to fill the massive void at the club.
Darren Bent has proved first at Ipswich, and then more spectacularly at Charlton, that he can score goals in the Premier League. He managed an incredible 31 goals in two top-tier seasons with the south London club, and that is no mean feat given that the club struggled and inevitably were relegated.
Would it be too far fetched to think he could manage a 20-goal haul at a club pushing for a top six finish? I think he is capable of being the club’s saving grace this coming season, but only if Ramos has faith in him and the Tottenham fans back him 100%, which i believe they will.


Phil - July 31st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I think you make a good point, i hope Bent gets the chance. He has not moaned about not getting starts and has just got on with his job
Brad - July 31st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
A well considered piece, i think Bent has done enough to deserve a run in the starting eleven and if Berbatov goes then he is sure to get it!
Ben - July 31st, 2008 at 4:11 pm
totally agree. Above two comments spot on! commitment is still there and when he was told last season that he wasn’t starting, but on the bench, he didn’t moan- like a colleague of his did at Norwich- but accepted it and got on with it. Mature footballer that deserves his chance.
Philip - July 31st, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I totally agree that he may benefit from a pre season where he can play regularly and who’s to say he won’t beat Keane or Berba’s tally. Good luck to him he seems a top lad!!
COYS
GUILDFORDYID - July 31st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I CANT SEE WHY NOT HE HAS TALENT, PERHAPS IT IS FINALLY TIME FOR HIM TO SHINE.WHAT HAVE WE GOT TO LOSE.
Frank - July 31st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Mr Comfort your spot on. I think that it’s better to have a good player with a desire to play for the club than a great player who wants to leave. I think if Bent started 30+ games next season then he would get around 12-15 goals and maybe even more.
peter - July 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
he has become a comedy figure because he played like a comedy figure last season. I know he didn’t have an extended run in the team, and 8 goals in 15 starts last year does sound good. But you know what they say, there are lies, damn lies and statistics.
I was at every game at WHL last season and watching him run around aimlessely and without a clue was, at times, funny. He did look like a terrible terrible player - we’re talking raziak quality here.
Bent is never, ever going to work in a 4-4-2, he has never scored goals in that formation. Ipswich and Charlton both had 4-5-1’s built around him which is why he did so well there. That is why I thought it was a terrible signing last season, as I thought hell would freeze over before spurs played 4-5-1!
However, Ramos’ dealings in the transfer window certainly suggest that he is looking to do just that so I think, if he is given the chance, that he could do exceptionally well at the front of a spurs 4-5-1.
And I hope he does - we’ll see!!
Bobby - July 31st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I agree. I’m sure he will grab the bull by the horns once he gets the chance. One of the egos has gone and the other will follow shortly. Ramos would have found it hard to leave either of them out of the starting line us last season but I’m sure he realises Bent’s potential and will give him every chance this season. I’m looking forward to it.
Woody - July 31st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
give him a chance next season and he will be scoring 20+ trust me
Jimmy Mac - July 31st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The lad has scored goals where ever and when ever he has played regularly…..i have always said to some fellow yids, that i would rather have him in my team than keane anyday, and they have always mocked, but as skillful as robbie was, he was not a goal threat to the opposition, especially away from home, he dropped far too deep and never got on the end of half of berbs’ flick ons, (Liverpool away aside), so give him a run Juande, if he plays 35/40 games next year, in all comps, he will get you 20/25 goals….COYS
kirit - July 31st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Absolutely spot on…Benty will score goals for fun. Benty now deserves his chance to prove all the critics wrong. The style of play and the creative talent behind Benty = 25 plus Benty specials in the Premiership this season.
Billiospur - July 31st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
nice problem to have for ramos
SpursFromDay1 - July 31st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I agree fully. Bent is a goal machine IMO.
He can score goals as a loan striker and has a pretty good assist record also. All we need is an understudy to Bent in case he gets injured and we should be able to play 4-5-1 no problem. And what Bent doesn’t score, the other creative midfielders will. We’ve also seen Bent perform well with a strike partner so if we do bring in the likes of Arshavin or Pavlichenko he should be able to adjust.
Harry - July 31st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Without a doubt he is capable of securing a regular start in the team, whether Berbatov leaves or not.
We still need another striker or two though, to cover for injuries and suspensions and the long season in all competitions.
markyid76 - July 31st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
absolute nonsense
if we want to break the top 4 , we need better strikers than bent.
he’s a £16 mill flop simple as!
keane go’s and suddenly he’s good again, get a grip of yourselfs HE’S SHITE. 7 goals against crap opposition and he can do the job again.
for fuck sake
lol
markyid76 - July 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
u lot r bandwagon idiots
Benny - July 31st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Darren Dent IS NOT and NEVER will be as dangerous a player as Berbatov. He is an average striker….yes he can score goals but Berbatov is CLASS, as we know. He can make something out of nothing….BUT my main worry about selling him to Manure is that, in case nobody noticed, MANURE are our prime competitors….and UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should we EVER consider improving their chances of retaining the EPL. IF we sell to this, or any other competitor…I will have to seriously consider my allegiance to the WHL outfit (after 44 years approx). Levi may be working wonders BUT selling to ANY of the other TOP teams is tantamount to downright treachery of the lowest type.
Selling Keano to Pool was the first stupid move….so move 2 will confirm that all is not as rosy as we think in ‘Leviville’…..? What do you think?
Bent is a good player and may score a bucket load due to our midfield class….but he will never rise to the class of our recent strike force COYS!
Jimmy Mac - July 31st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
And you are a COCK…..the proof will be in the pudding MARKYID76 you fookin Gooner luvin scumbag…get behind the players
andy wade - July 31st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I just think the guy should get a fair chance to show what he can do and that means an extended run without everyone calling for his head if he goes two games with out scoring .
coys
Adam - July 31st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Bent can be a decent player for us next season, gus said he was the best striker in pre season and Ramos’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 formation will suit him down to the ground, he is good in the air so will be able to get on the end of Bentley’s crosses and is strong with good footwork so will bang em in as long as Gio or Lennon can get it to his feet, not to mention Modric and possibly Arshavin coming from midfield firing in from long range Bent could be in for more than a handful of tap-ins. Im backing Bent next season just need a backup CF and a Backup CB and were set for more mid table glory COYS!
Harry - July 31st, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Well said Jimmy Mac, Bent is an asset to the team and right now we need players that want to play and proove their worth, but he can’t be soley relied upon we still need to replace Keane & Defoe and poss Berba.
bruce - July 31st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
We will back anyone who shows determination and love for the shirt,
Spurs Dude - July 31st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Bent has been the ultimate professional since he signed for us. He hasn’t whinged about not starting, has tried his best when he has come on and has started pre season very well.
I haven’t been privy to seeing any of the pre season games, so I don’t know what the formations have been, but they seem to be working for him.
Gio, from what I have red, seems to be the dog’s furry bits, excellent buy by the sounds of it.
With Bentley sealed and Arshavin to follow, we seem to be building a strong squad.
Just red a really stupid article saying that, because we’ve given up on MILITO, BERBA could be set to STAY. How the f**k do they come to that conclusion?????? just means we’re after someone else surely?
By the way, can anyone tell me what the limit for posts is on this site, I usually put 1 or 2 on a day and I keep being told that I am posting too much. WHAT’S THE LIMIT???
michael - July 31st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I’m a liverpool fan and i think we can come 2nd to chelsea hope ye knock man u out of the top four
Mikw - July 31st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Benny, flash and class Berbatov maybe but he hasnt got heart. He hasnt got determination. We shouldnt sacrifice results for class. As for our midfields making Bent look good, Bent has to first get the ball from the midfield doesnt he? Bent also needs to finish it right? Strikers are suppose to score goals, Berbatov and Keane are just not clinical enough and are forced to score ‘nothing for something’ goals. As gifted as Berbatov is, Bent will score more goals than him.
markyid76 - July 31st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
jimmy mac when is your brain coming back!
u hav’nt got a fuckin clue ,u piece of shit.
i’ll give you gooner lover you fuckin arsewipe
u write total shit moron .
write something sensible instead of shite u read about
bandwagon boy
JT - July 31st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Markyid76, why are you saying Bent is a flop? Last season he was injured and he couldnt break the partnership (KEYWORD partnership) of Berbatov/Keane. Keane is preferred as he is the cleverest striker that can match Berbatov’s creativity hence why people say it’s almost telepathic when they link up. NOW… system has changed, the partnership is broken, it’s Bent’s chance and you can’t deny the boy has taken his chances! Why do you say we need better strikers than Bent, he goal scoring record with Charlton says it all… He is a goalscorer even with a crap team! I’m not saying he will be worldclass or anything, Bent still has a lot to prove, but what people are saying is, give him a chance! You can only beat the team given and he certainly has done that.
MALCOLM - July 31st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I DON’T THINK WE WILL MISS KEANE, BUT WE WILL MISS BERBI UNLESS WE GET ANOTHER WORLD CLASS STRIKER. HE WAS THE CREATOR AND SET UP KEANE IN MOST OCCASIONS.BENT WILL BE OKAY,BUT WE MUST GET A GOOD REPLACEMENT IF BERBI LEAVES
Borat - July 31st, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Personally, with the midfield and system that Ramos is putting in place, I think my 86 year old grannie would have trouble not scoring goals in a CF spurs shirt. What we do need however is a striker capable of making that special piece of magic that wins goals against the very best. Bebs without a doubt has that ability IF he chooses to use it. Bent dosnt.If he goes we will replace him with quality as we will need it for exactly those occasions. We will also need the bents of this world to bag us hat tricks which he will against the not so good opponents and to also rest others when they need it. THAT is the difference between a good club and a top4 club. Players with ability to win those crucial games
Ashlley - July 31st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
all bent has to do is score 15+ for spurs nxt season and has more than berbatov its achievable
Anonymous - July 31st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Berbatov belongs at Man Utd, if not at Spurs he is an all time great player, he has the skill of a Rolls Royce
Did not a load of Spurs fans go to Scotland to see Klinsman after he left Spurs..would it not be great to see him week in .
As for Bent he is crap, like Defoe hes a headless chicken who does not have the class to trouble good teams good defences lacks the temperament
Show me your Spurs - July 31st, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Just give him a chance to play in a 4-5-1 formation and he’ll do amazing and I think that’s what Ramos is planning.
dave from HK - August 1st, 2008 at 12:10 am
bent is a great pro
he didn’t whine, did not moan on the bench and was willing to fight for his place. a modest lad also, seems he’s got his feet on ground.
i’m banking on him to deliver given injury free and a run of games but it also hinges on how he will partner berbi. maybe he will leave windows still open. maybe even 4-5-1
anon - August 1st, 2008 at 8:01 am
i hope bent plays every single game for tottenham