Source: Team_Talk
Bruce lauds Black Cats hero Bent
Bent took his tally for the season to 21, 20 of them in the Premier League, with a quickfire double in the Black Cats' victory over Blues at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.[LNB]The former Tottenham man, whose total fee is dependent on appearances and goals, eloquently stated his case once again for inclusion in England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.[LNB]Bruce said: "He has done fantastically for Sunderland and he is worth every penny.[LNB]"It just shows you that a bit of quality, playing every week, he has flourished with the chance we have given him. He has been terrific.[LNB]"Where would we be without him. But that's the difference.[LNB]"You pay £10million, £12million - he will probably end up costing us £14million or whatever it is, but that's the difference.[LNB]"It's the next step."[LNB]Bruce was once again diplomatic when asked about Bent's chances of forcing his way into Capello's plans.[LNB]He said: "He must have an outstanding chance because the one thing he has got is he is a natural goalscorer.[LNB]"We have got very good strikers, but he gets into the box and he gets it on to his left foot, you know, you say 'goal'.[LNB]"That's what he has done for us repeatedly, so he must have a chance.[LNB]"Whether he will go, who knows?[LNB]"I haven't spoken to him, but come on, it's a World Cup - playing for England in a World Cup? He's got to be [desperate to go], I would have thought. But I haven't had a conversation with him."[LNB]Sunderland looked to be cruising when Bent fired them 2-0 head inside the opening 11 minutes.[LNB]He was first to react when strike-partner Benjani Mwaruwari's fifth-minute effort was blocked, firing confidently past keeper Joe Hart.[LNB]But there was real quality about his second six minutes later when he collected Steed Malbranque's crossfield pass and cut inside Scott Dann before thumping a low drive past the keeper.[LNB]However, City rallied and after Craig Gordon had tipped a Christian Benitez header on to the bar and blocked Cameron Jerome's effort with his leg, Jerome finally got there better of him on the hour to pull a goal back.[LNB]Gordon made another fine save to claw away Liam Ridgewell's goalbound header and it took an 88th-minute strike from Fraizer Campbell to kill off the game and calm the frayed nerves inside the Stadium of Light.[LNB]Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was hugely impressed with Bent.[LNB]He said: "He's a handful. He is quick, he is exceptional, but you have got to hand it to him on his finishing because you can have all the speed in the world and not be a good finisher.[LNB]"Twenty-one goals is a fantastic return and he looks a real threat. But I feel my defenders will look at it and feel they made it too easy for him today."[LNB]McLeish, who worked with Gordon during his time as Scotland manager, was also left to bemoan the £9million man's contribution.[LNB]He said: "He was outstanding. He was every inch an international goalkeeper today.[LNB]"He made some fantastic saves, as did Joe Hart in the first half - Kieran Richardson could have had us dead and buried.[LNB]"If Sunderland has gone three up, it would have been hard for us, but at 2-0, you have always got a chance."[LNB][LNB]
