Source: Daily_Mail
Martin Keown: Darren Bent was wafer-thin when I played, but has bulked up and is a goal machine
Some people are saying Darren Bent is moving to Aston Villa for the money but I think it is also about his self-esteem.[LNB]Bent seems to be a player who can lose his confidence very easily. You need to make a player like that feel loved and that clearly was not the case at Tottenham.[LNB]He was different class under Steve Bruce at Sunderland: he felt loved and was more the centre of attention. That is important for a lot of strikers and Ian Wright was the same.[LNB] The boot's on the other foot: Darren Bent scores with his left for England in Switzerland back in September[LNB]Bent has scored only one goal in his last eight league games. His confidence has been affected, and Villa have made him feel wanted again.[LNB]This move puts him back into the spotlight. But I don't think that is healthy - you can't fill that need for extra confidence by moving every time you feel a bit down.[LNB]When Bent is confident, he is always looking to pull off the shoulder of the last defender; to stretch the opposition defence and pounce on a through ball. He is a goal machine and that is a vital commodity - especially for Aston Villa at the moment. He can play that role on his own up front or in a partnership - as he did so well with Kenwyne Jones last season.[LNB]Bent has improved a great deal technically since his Tottenham days. He has learned to improvise with his finishing, adjusting his body so he is in a better position to shoot. His use of both feet is impressive, too.[LNB] Unhappy days: Bent (right) in action for Tottenham against Sunderland in 2009[LNB]He is more comfortable shooting with his right but he took his goal for England against Switzerland well with his left.[LNB]He is good in the air too, and gets across the face of the defender well. His shots-to-goal ratio is not so impressive but he will always score because he instinctively knows where to position himself.[LNB]His team-mates can trust him more in possession now because he has learned to be more economical with the ball, is much stronger and protects the ball better.[LNB]Bent has bulked up a lot. I played for Leicester against him six-and-a-half years ago when he was at Ipswich. He was wafer-thin and I was worried that it might hold him back. But it has not. [LNB]He might not be the best at tracking back but you never accuse the person who puts the ball in the back of the net of not being a team player. That is what you are all working towards. [LNB] Darren Bent's stunning switch from Sunderland to Aston Villa: Is £24m the price of survival for Gerard Houllier's men?Bent a done deal as England striker seals £24m switch from Sunderland to Aston VillaHell Bent on staying alive: Worried Lerner hands Houllier war chest for Villa's survival mission[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Darren Bent, Ian Wright Places: United Kingdom, Switzerland
