Home > Football > How the 'Harry Factor' has been the making of Spurs misfit Darren Bent
The former Charlton striker has hit a rich vein of scoring form since Redknapp took charge. Could the new Tottenham boss be putting together another lethal strike team at the Lane?
by Luke Durkin on 21 November 2008
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After a club-record move to White Hart Lane from former Premier League strugglers Charlton Athletic, it was obvious that Darren Bent would have much to prove - not only to his critics but to everybody involved with Tottenham.
After an impressive pre-season under Juande Ramos, Bent has netted an impressive 11 goals in 18 games this season, which earned him a call-up into Fabio Capello's England squad.
He played a pivotal role in the 2-1 midweek victory over Germany in Berlin and nearly scored early in the second half following a fine defence-splitting ball from Gareth Barry that would have given England a 2-0 lead. But it's his form at Spurs under new boss Harry Redknapp that has finally shown fans and critics alike why the club paid such a high fee to secure his services.
Already known for his pace and awareness, Bent has the potential to create a goal-scoring opportunity out of nothing, which has been effective in Tottenham's Premier League and UEFA Cup campaigns.
It was thought, under Juande Ramos, that Bent would not fit in alongside either Roman Pavlyuchenko or loanee signing Fraizer Campbell. But this has proved not to be the case, and if Redknapp can find a way of improving each individual partnership then I feel that we could witness a similar strength and effectiveness to that generated by our old strike force of Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, and of course Bent.
Having lost Berbatov, Keane and Defoe, the current form of our squad suggests that this is no longer a valid performance issue. Spurs now definitely look like a side that can build in order to reach the level of consistency and performances needed to compete with the best teams in Europe.
The 'Harry Factor' has obviously had a profound effect on the overall squad. I am surprised with his decision to bring both Kevin Prince Boateng and Hossam Ghaly back into the squad, as well as French starlet Adel Taraabt. Redknapp definitely has a talent for bringing out the best of his squad, without neccessarily splashing the cash, and his 'wheeler dealer' attitude will be put to the test once more come January, when Spurs will be looking to strengthen the sqad.
The fluidity and type of football looks to have improved, having reverted to a more traditional style, compared to what we saw under Ramos. A completely British backroom set-up has most certainly helped particular players who struggled to communicate with their previous coaching staff.
What can we expect from Tottenham for the rest of the season? I think they have already proved that the sky's the limit. I just hope they can put previous misfortune behind them and prove really just how far they can go.
Come on you Spurs!
Comments (2)
by ph on November 21, 2008
i really do not agree with the misfit title given to diggler bent! he was behind an awesome partnership of Keane and Berba and also had injuries - this in his first season at the club! we also did not play to his strengths and he suffered being asked to play a role he was not used to! Harry has done what he does and got in his ear told him he is the best at what he does - england need a striker etc etc.
by Essexian76 on November 23, 2008
The fee was ridulous, of that there is no question Also you have to ask why we bought him the first place?.A year on you can only say thank heavens we did. Long term I really dont think he's a Spurs player, but he takes what little has been offered, and his commitment and work ethic is unquestionable.For me both he and Pav are pretty immobile and cumbersome, and I think thats why Poyet said about the pair of them playing together. My worry however is Campbell, as he seems to offer the movement both the other two lack, and if he's going back?. Midfield arent creating the chances or contributing regarding goals, and I still feel thats our achilles heel, both attacking and defensivsly.
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