Darren Bent and England

Ok, I know what you're thinking; a Sunderland fan is going to tell you a Sunderland player deserves an England place... Well you're right. In a way.

He's on hot form for us at the moment, in joint 2nd place in the Premier League goal scoring stakes being above players like Adebayor, his old team mates Keane and Defoe whilst rubbing shoulders with Drogba and Rooney, and only 2 goals behind Torres. It's obviously early days, but it's looking promising for his career in the north east.

He's pretty consistent as well. Always seems to grab in and around 20 goals a season, and he has proved himself at the top level. At Tottenham he was their top scorer in the 2008-2009 season, scoring 17 goals.

However, he's only played for England four times. And what I'm really asking is, do you think if Bent had a good enough season he'd be on that flight to South Africa? Fabio Capello has always said he picks players on their form, but can Bent really force the manager to leave one of two of Bent's former Hotspur teammates, the in-favour Heskey or the world-class Rooney at home?

I personally think Bent is good enough for England, but Defoe is better. And Capello likes to have a big man upfront in either Crouch or Heskey so I shouldn't have thought Bent would fill in their massive shoes. And then we come to Rooney. Let's just not say anything. So as much as Bent is good enough for England, the shame is there are better options.

Yeh i wouldnt mind to see him in englands team, couldnt give a **** about england but he deserves it.

I think Capello is spoilt for choice. See who can remain consistent over the season.

It's hard, Defoe & Rooney & Bent & Crouch & Agbonlahor & Carlton Cole are in or coming into form... hard decision.

At this moment I'd have to say Defoe & Rooney, with Bent hot on their heels - Crouch, Agbonlahor, Cole, and Owen on their tails though IMO.

And for some reason I just get the feeling Capello will pick Heskey... again.

I'm sorry but Rooney shouldn't be allowed near an England team. There's many others I'd rather have than him.

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Originally Posted by thyflux

I'm sorry but Rooney shouldn't be allowed near an England team. There's many others I'd rather have than him.

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Statement of the century, so your saying that we shouldn't have one of the top 3 bests strikers in the world in our national team?

Have you been watching England lately? Rooney has been our best player for the past 5 games.

I disagree and I know it's a bold statement but I think we'd be much better off without him. It'd happen something like this:

Green

Johnson Upson Terry Cole

Barry/Carrick

Gerrard Lampard

Young -------------------- Walcott

Defoe/Bent

I know it's never going to happen but that's how I'd play the field. Obviously Rooney is going to be included because of who he is and yes I know he's a good player but I think the team would be better off without him. Bold statement, just my opinion though.

A large problem with picking a team is that people don't always perform the same internationally as they do domestically (see: Frank Lampard and/or the entire Dutch international squad). That said Rooney really is necessary, I don't "like" him particularly but he's a cracking striker and brings up morale

I always thought Bent was a great player and was suprised to see Spurs let him go, especially since they decided to give him a chance and he was getting 2/3 goals every few games, which was just incredible. Concerning him towards other players in the England squad and it really becomes difficult for him.

Rooney and Defoe should easily be England's main strikers in my opinion, with Cole and Crouch as subs. Only after them four strikers would I say that Bent is able to get into the squad. I don't even understand how Heskey managed to get back in? He's just awful! And doesn't even play for Villa as much anymore. :S

If any of Rooney, Defoe, Cole or Crouch were to get injured, then Bent should easily be on the bench, with a deffinate chance of playing 15-20 mins as a sub, only then can we really see if he would be good enough for the England squad. Never know, he may get a hat trick. :P

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Originally Posted by thyflux

I'm sorry but Rooney shouldn't be allowed near an England team. There's many others I'd rather have than him.

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You've just proved you no nothing about the England team?

I don't see why heskey should be chosen either he can't play at that level any more i would feel better with crouch up there even though i don't think much of him as a player although he is huge (i met him at alton towers once).

As for owen working his way into the squad.. well i like him but i think he would have to have an amazing season for united playing almost in the starting line-up scoring about 12-16 goals.

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Originally Posted by Luccy.

You've just proved you no nothing about the England team?

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Yep, go me :rolleyes:

If bent remains of form like he is now for Sunderland, it's promising that he could get picked to start. He's doing so well for a weak club at the moment and scoring goals for them :)

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Originally Posted by TheWolf

It's hard, Defoe & Rooney & Bent & Crouch & Agbonlahor & Carlton Cole are in or coming into form... hard decision.

At this moment I'd have to say Defoe & Rooney, with Bent hot on their heels - Crouch, Agbonlahor, Cole, and Owen on their tails though IMO.

And for some reason I just get the feeling Capello will pick Heskey... again.

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Could be due to the fact Capello always plays him. :@

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Originally Posted by TheWolf

Statement of the century, so your saying that we shouldn't have one of the top 3 bests strikers in the world in our national team?

Have you been watching England lately? Rooney has been our best player for the past 5 games.

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I can see why he'd say that. Rooney is not the conventional striker like Defoe.

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Originally Posted by FlyingJesus

A large problem with picking a team is that people don't always perform the same internationally as they do domestically (see: Frank Lampard and/or the entire Dutch international squad). That said Rooney really is necessary, I don't "like" him particularly but he's a cracking striker and brings up morale

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Bent should start, maybe just get a run out, like someone said the last 20 minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thyflux

I disagree and I know it's a bold statement but I think we'd be much better off without him. It'd happen something like this:

Green

Johnson Upson Terry Cole

Barry/Carrick

Gerrard Lampard

Young -------------------- Walcott

Defoe/Bent

I know it's never going to happen but that's how I'd play the field. Obviously Rooney is going to be included because of who he is and yes I know he's a good player but I think the team would be better off without him. Bold statement, just my opinion though.

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Even if that was our team, it's still a pretty impressive side, and would be easily capable of maintaining a top 10 spot in the world rankings, easily.

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Originally Posted by Luccy.

You've just proved you no nothing about the England team?

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Yeah, but your opinion is a bit bias, isn't it? and you really have no rite at all to say he knows nothing about the England side, when he obviously does. :P

it's hard. i think rooney and heskey will go just because they've been successful with that. then it's between defoe/crouch/bent for me.

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

it's hard. i think rooney and heskey will go just because they've been successful with that. then it's between defoe/crouch/bent for me.

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Heskey gets the best out of Rooney, for some reason, like he did when it was Heskey and Owen.

I can still see Owen forcing his way back in too though.

yeah, any stiker whos english is in with a shout if they do very well.

That's what I like about Capello. No player's place is guaranteed. (Though you can assume that Capello's squad is pretty much certain, as he'll be wanting them to gel for next summer.)

yeah, it will take drastic improvements/slumps of form for any big surprises. but you just never know with mr. capello.

mr capello is the best thing thats happened for england since bobby robson in italia 90.

he's not a bad old egg

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

he's not a bad old egg

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lol thats sad

Hm.. Bent on Form = great. Bent out of form = sloppy and grumpy. Defoe on form = very good and out of form = still decent. That's the difference imo. On form there equal really, but say if Defoe mucks up, I can see him coming back, if Bent does, I can't. That's just my opinion though. Don't rate Crouch too much, well not for starting for England anyway. Rooney will obviously play. C. Cole is still young and will defo make it to the next world cup, as for this one not so sure but still rate him higher than Crouch and Heskey. Owen = impact sub.

Heskey = no idea what he's thinking. He's an average player but considering the other striking options I have no idea why he's playing.

As for the person above who said no to rooney and posted there own team, I can see why you don't rate Rooney for England because sometimes I don't rate him too but, the rest of your team is mucked up I think. Defence, where's Ferdinand? I rate him much higher than Upson. Also, as for the wings Young plays left, Walcott right you got them mixed up. Besides that I wouldn't play them either.

If I'm honest I'd play:

Green

Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, Cole
Walcott/Lennon/SWP/Beckham, Gerrard, Hargreaves, Lampard, J.Cole
Rooney

And Just play 4-5-1 and 1 striker loool, Well I'd play that against attacking teams and against defensive teams like Italy I'd play 4-4-2. Then if we are loosing, sub off Hargreaves and bring on a striker. With Hargreaves there, It allows Ashley Cole and Johnson to come forward, and Hargreaves to drop off into defence which will even it out and it also allows Lampard and Gerrard to go forward. Lots of options on the right wing and Walcott and Lennon haven't even peeked yet.

well he's better than aggy, owen, heskey and crouch tbh.

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Originally Posted by Andys

well he's better than aggy, owen, heskey and crouch tbh.

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I agree. But when Crouch is on form he can be good, but when Bent is on form he could stand a good chance of challenging Defoe for a spot on the team. That's if he can get as many goals as he does for Sunderland though. :P

i'd say rooney and crouch will be first two strikers on list. crouch is always good for plan b.

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Originally Posted by Immenseman

i'd say rooney and crouch will be first two strikers on list. crouch is always good for plan b.

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now that defoe is a doubt, bent should start the next games.

wonder if he'll tinker much with the side. i think he said he wouldn't too much but it'll be good to trial a few fringe players.

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Originally Posted by TheWolf

now that defoe is a doubt, bent should start the next games.

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Maybe not start, usually Heskey's job, that. But I'd say Bent should get a run out. :D

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Originally Posted by Browney

Maybe not start, usually Heskey's job, that. But I'd say Bent should get a run out. :D

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i hope he'll bag a couple, he's got all the qualities a striker needs tbh... except for maybe in the air... i don't know though, as i don't watch him play week in week out so...

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Originally Posted by TheWolf

i hope he'll bag a couple, he's got all the qualities a striker needs tbh... except for maybe in the air... i don't know though, as i don't watch him play week in week out so...

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bent is class in the air !

WHAT THE. Agbonlahor in ahead of Bent!?! WHATTT.

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Originally Posted by Browney

WHAT THE. Agbonlahor in ahead of Bent!?! WHATTT.

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If it was between the two I'd go for Agonlahor but even still Bent > Cole > Heskey.

Is Cole still in? why Cole and not Bent? crazy... strange decision.

***
agbonlahor, cole, heskey and crouch in but no bent?
he's the second top scorer in the prem ***.
just cause he plays for sunderland tbh.

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Originally Posted by thyflux

If it was between the two I'd go for Agonlahor but even still Bent > Cole > Heskey.

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I'd rather have an in-form Owen than Aggy. But if Aggy is in better form than Owen, I'd take Aggy.

Why has Capello picked 3 "big men?" Carlton Cole, Crouch, and Heskey. Then Rooney and Aggy? I guess he's trying out Cole, Crouch and Heskey to decide who he takes on that flight in summer.