MagicMushroom

Hand on heart, I am beginning to see Benteke as the victim here. The only thing he is guilty of is putting all his faith in an agent whom sees his player as a meal ticket. Everything I am reading (from what the club has said to Pete Colleys quote earlier) points to the agent. Im pretty cool about this situation now, and can see this backfiring big time on Kismet and his team. He comes across as a little man trying to be the big man in a big pool, but deep down he knows he is out of his depth. Lambert is chipping away at this with the player as we speak, you can be sure of that. I can still see him staying.

Im with you on that, however...it wont happen. Bents attitude has seen to that, and its something that has followed him around at clubs. On the plus side, Lambert must be pretty confident in having a replacement for Benteke lined up if his prepared to lo lose both players, and despite whats reported, I think he will not be an unknown.

Same with me. Credit due to the man in standing up to this weasels agents demands. And yes, I think those quotes in the Sun are 100% correct.

I don't think he is interested anymore. He will keep investing to keep the club ticking over, but its all about trying to claw the club back to a level for when the opportunity comes to sell up. The club is just drifting, and we will always be struggling to hold on to players when they can see we are heading nowhere. Seems our only strategy is to sign players on the cheap and pay them peanuts then hope we get lucky. Its nice to think we can succeed with that, but in the real world, its a pipe dream.

Hopefully we also play hard ball on how we are paid. Cash straight up front and no installments, and any deal includes a sell on clause. His agent can just sod off.

Spurs fans with half a brain are crying out for him. More chance of seeing a naked yeti dancing down harborne high street than finding a Spurs fan with any type of Brain cell.

you are not seeing something that is not there! Then theres hope he could still be with us until next summer Maybe theres a few more twists in this saga to come?

Having just re-read the clubs statement together with Paul Lamberts comments, im beginning to think the words are aimed at the agent rather than the player. It reads as if the Agent has been pushing for this, or am i seeing something thats not there?

Might be a good idea on trying to fix the relationship between manager and Bent. Lets face it, he will still score goals and a replacement for Benteke is going to be inflated due to the money we will receive. DB is the safe option.

Thats the flip side of all this, clubs knowing we have cash to burn. Even the price of relative unknowns will go up when we come calling. The ideal situation would be to get his replacement(s) in now. And if he remains, lets see how he does with a bit more competition. I think Helinius is a massive prospect, but is not the immediate answer.

I still believe its Chelsea thats behind all this, and i also believe that all this started around the time that Lukaku opened his gob. I thought it bit odd back then, and im convinced of it now. Im sure his mates were busily working on him whilst he was away with them with the Belgium team, and im sure his agent has been pretty active behind the scenes aswell. Also, this has Mouriniho written all over it. I'd actually prefer it be Chelsea out of all the teams in the UK that was in for him Lets admit it too, he would probably be a big hit there.

I still believe its Chelsea thats behind all this, and i also believe that all this started around the time that Lukaku opened his gob. I thought it bit odd back then, and im convinced of it now. Im sure his mates were busily working on him whilst he was away with them with the Belgium team, and im sure his agent has been pretty active behind the scenes aswell. Also, this has Mouriniho written all over it.

Must admit, i think the club statement is dead on the button and setting a deadline is pretty shrewd. If the player is still here after that deadline passes, and he or his prick of an agent play up, then Mr Greedy bastard is going to look like a right greedy bastard to any future buyers. Basically, we could be watching his career going down the pan. Always thought that Mr Greedy Bastard was taking the wrong advice and his agent will ruin him. He also comes across a little dim, so sod him. However, If he remains and wears our shirt for another 12 months then i will back him on the pitch, but my respect for him has totally gone.

What's Lerner got to do with it? Turned the club into the new Bolton..... This will keep happening until he decides what he wants to do with the club. We will see, but if Lambert does not get the whole amount, then its obvious to me that all the cost cutting, the low wages, the cheap players, is all about him selling up than any clever football strategy. Im pissed off at the moment, so im just hitting out at everything and everyone, so my view may change in the days to come. One thing I will add though.... Im pretty certain that hes been tapped up whilst with the Belgian squad, and im also pretty certain its Chelsea behind it. Remember, one of their players actually used the press to state that Benteke should consider leaving whilst he was on loan at the baggies So I think we have every right to quote them the same fee Newcastle received for Andy Carroll. If they don't like it, **** em.....sell him to spurs for less if we have too. But sell to Chelsea? Never. What are you on about? If you don't understand, fine. I think I see where your coming from. Make an example of him etc etc. Good in theory, but impossible in practice. It ultimately boils down to a question of economics. We will sell ultimately, spite or no spite. He's gone, that's the bottom line. Once you realise this, everything becomes a lot more easier to accept. I share your disappointment & admire your vindictiveness because ultimately a kick in the bollocks hurts. You just have to get over the pain & move on in the hope that one day what goes around comes around. Everything you say there is right. But I think the reason this feels bad, is the knowledge that this is how its always going to be from now on. Just selling our better players every year and just making up the numbers in the league. Its not what we are used to, because this is Villa. Its the growing realization that unless we get very lucky or very rich......then its this. Ive got my Crewe tickets already...was very excited about the future, just feels so very mundane. Were Villa & we'll come again. One glance at the history book will confirm that. What will happen to Chelsea & Man City once the big Buck backers disappear? They'll just fall back into the pack & be never was's like they always were. Form is temporary, Class is permanent. We will survive & be stronger for it. In the meantime Dream & don't let any nightmare spoil it. Thought I would highlight those words of yours for everyone else to see. Benteke who?

True. And there is past history here when we look at how Benteke behaved at Ghenk. Should of seen it coming I guess.

What's Lerner got to do with it? Turned the club into the new Bolton..... This will keep happening until he decides what he wants to do with the club. We will see, but if Lambert does not get the whole amount, then its obvious to me that all the cost cutting, the low wages, the cheap players, is all about him selling up than any clever football strategy. Im pissed off at the moment, so im just hitting out at everything and everyone, so my view may change in the days to come. One thing I will add though.... Im pretty certain that hes been tapped up whilst with the Belgian squad, and im also pretty certain its Chelsea behind it. Remember, one of their players actually used the press to state that Benteke should consider leaving whilst he was on loan at the baggies So I think we have every right to quote them the same fee Newcastle received for Andy Carroll. If they don't like it, **** em.....sell him to spurs for less if we have too. But sell to Chelsea? Never. What are you on about? If you don't understand, fine. I think I see where your coming from. Make an example of him etc etc. Good in theory, but impossible in practice. It ultimately boils down to a question of economics. We will sell ultimately, spite or no spite. He's gone, that's the bottom line. Once you realise this, everything becomes a lot more easier to accept. I share your disappointment & admire your vindictiveness because ultimately a kick in the bollocks hurts. You just have to get over the pain & move on in the hope that one day what goes around comes around. Everything you say there is right. But I think the reason this feels bad, is the knowledge that this is how its always going to be from now on. Just selling our better players every year and just making up the numbers in the league. Its not what we are used to, because this is Villa. Its the growing realization that unless we get very lucky or very rich......then its this. Ive got my Crewe tickets already...was very excited about the future, just feels so very mundane.

Its just gone 2 AM in the morning Mantis. Please forgive me if my post is all over the place...... It was not supposed to read like that. No hes not to blame for the state the game is in......that goes to sky. But the state our club is now in, then he certainly shares part of the blame. Like I said, im just hitting out since this feels like a kick in the munchkins On a positive note, this could again prove to be our Peter Withe moment!!!!!! (I can dream!)

What's Lerner got to do with it? Turned the club into the new Bolton..... This will keep happening until he decides what he wants to do with the club. We will see, but if Lambert does not get the whole amount, then its obvious to me that all the cost cutting, the low wages, the cheap players, is all about him selling up than any clever football strategy. Im pissed off at the moment, so im just hitting out at everything and everyone, so my view may change in the days to come. One thing I will add though.... Im pretty certain that hes been tapped up whilst with the Belgian squad, and im also pretty certain its Chelsea behind it. Remember, one of their players actually used the press to state that Benteke should consider leaving whilst he was on loan at the baggies So I think we have every right to quote them the same fee Newcastle received for Andy Carroll. If they don't like it, **** em.....sell him to spurs for less if we have too. But sell to Chelsea? Never. What are you on about? If you don't understand, fine.

Looking at it with whats happened in the past, It seems that he has upset Lambert in some way rather than the club. It would not surprise if he has had an hissy fit over not being picked, and Lambert has sent him on a one way ticket out of the club. Also, im pretty certain that Bent has been known to have a little sulk in the past.

my understanding is ....he has a replacement lined up. Im intrigued

What's Lerner got to do with it? Turned the club into the new Bolton..... This will keep happening until he decides what he wants to do with the club. We will see, but if Lambert does not get the whole amount, then its obvious to me that all the cost cutting, the low wages, the cheap players, is all about him selling up than any clever football strategy. Im pissed off at the moment, so im just hitting out at everything and everyone, so my view may change in the days to come. One thing I will add though.... Im pretty certain that hes been tapped up whilst with the Belgian squad, and im also pretty certain its Chelsea behind it. Remember, one of their players actually used the press to state that Benteke should consider leaving whilst he was on loan at the baggies So I think we have every right to quote them the same fee Newcastle received for Andy Carroll. If they don't like it, **** em.....sell him to spurs for less if we have too. But sell to Chelsea? Never.

At least 60% youd hope. I bet you, that if he does not get the full amount, we may be looking for another manager. Hes got an eye for a player, but hes not a miracle worker, and he may start wondering whether he is just banging his head against a brick wall.

Personally, I would let the ungrateful shit rot. Its about time clubs made an example, and I nominate this treacherous leech for just that. As for Footballl, well im watching just how much Chelsea give us and how we invest it. If its not to my liking, then im off. They can stick football. This is im afraid, the last straw for me, and I refuse to pay whatever little money I have into it anymore. I mean, whats the point??????????????? Way to go Randy!

There is something quite perverse in selling a carthorse for 35m and then picking up a proven premiership goalscorer for 5-6m quid!

What happened after Gray left? We bought a donkey to replace him