Tom Oldfield
Kevin Phillips played 207 games for Sunderland, earning himself legendary status on Weirside with 113 goals. He helped the Black Cats gain promotion to the top flight and pushed his way into the England squad in the process. But relegation in 2003 saw Phillips move to Southampton – and Sunderland have struggled to replace him ever since.
Therefore, the arrival of Darren Bent from Tottenham has been met with particular excitement on Weirside. It was a lengthy chase but new Black Cats boss Steve Bruce finally got his man in a £15M deal and Sunderland may have their new goal machine. Whether this transfer represents a changing viewpoint among players about moving to the city remains to be seen but there is plenty to look forward now for supporters.
Bent, who left Tottenham in doubt over his thoughts on the transfer via Twitter, told the media: “I’m over the moon. It seemed like a long time coming but I can’t wait to get going.” At the press conference to announce his arrival, he appeared motivated and confident – all good signs for the campaign ahead.
But it has not been an easy patch for the striker. When a transfer seemed imminent, Bent was hauled off the plane prior to Tottenham’s trip to Beijing but it was around two weeks before Sunderland finally got their man, leaving everyone biting their nails. The striker, who kept in shape through workouts with his personal trainer, explained: “It was a bit of a frustrating time. I couldn’t get on the training ground and was in limbo – but I’m ready to move forward.”
Bruce struggled to hide his own delight about the deal, telling reporters: “He’s something different. He’s got pace, power, he’s young, he’s English and he gets goals. It has not quite happened for Darren at Spurs but he has 50 goals in 100 Premier League starts and that speaks volumes about why we are bringing him in.”
Though Bent played down his England hopes, it is hard not to think back to Phillips, whose form for Sunderland earned him eight international caps. Could history repeat itself? Bent, who showed little interest in possible moves to Stoke and Hull, will now be a real focal point for the Black Cats and the striker seems to relish such responsibility. At Charlton, he handled the pressure of being the star act superbly, scoring nearly a goal every two games. And, though he was rather erratic at Tottenham, if he gets among the goals early in the season, England boss Fabio Capello will surely take note.
The prospect of Bent’s partnership with Kenwyne Jones is also mouth-watering. Jones brings the aerial prowess and muscle while Bent provides the pace and clinical finishing. Supplied by the likes of Steed Malbranque and Andy Reid, the front men ought to fill their boots. Bent refused to rule out a bid for Europe and, if he rediscovers his best form, there is an outside chance that the Black Cats could achieve that goal. But, with Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham looking strong, it will not be easy.
Led by Ellis Short, Sunderland’s American owner, the club are desperate to make their mark among the league’s big boys. Obviously, this will take time. While City went out all guns blazing during the summer, Bruce appears keen to build gradually. His predecessor Roy Keane, who earned the club promotion in 2006/07, set the ball rolling by acquiring talent such as Malbranque, Jones and Anton Ferdinand but, arguably, the arrival of Bent is the biggest coup yet.
And Bruce has a good track record of getting the best out of his strikers. He helped Emile Heskey find a second wind and unearthed Amir Zaki, who proved a big hit initially before tailing off. Bent has wasted little time in pointing out Bruce’s man-management skills and the contrast with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who never seemed to rate him.
Taking a final look back at his Tottenham career, the striker told The Mirror: “It was the worst two years of my career, even last year when I was their top scorer at Spurs I never actually felt wanted. I didn’t feel he (Redknapp) wanted me to be there. There’s nothing worse as a striker than seeing your club linked with every other striker.
“It’s massive to have the support of your manager. It’s not been the case for the last two years. There’s nothing better. Even when you have missed a chance and your manager comes out and supports you rather than criticises you, that’s going to help two-fold.” Now, though, things are looking up.
Bent has proved over the past five years that he is capable of leading the line to devastating effect in the Premier League and there is no reason to think that this will change at Sunderland, where he will undoubtedly be a first team regular. Phillips etched his name into the club’s history books with his predatory instincts and it would take a brave man to suggest that Bent cannot do exactly the same.
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