Cestriamackem among others is saying quite rightly that the DB sale was the single most important (and wrong) decision that's been taken by SAFC in the last 10 or so years. It turned a probable top 7 finish into a desperate escape from relegation and ensuring we are among next seasons favourites for relegation with e.g. Norwich, QPR, Blackburn, Wolves or Blackpool. Even when out of form he scored, even when injured he attracted good players to the club. When DB went to the infamous Birmingham hotel, we should have let him come back and said "OK that's interesting your are going nowhere at least until end of season". "We hold your registration and what ever Houilier says we are not signing anything (unless maybe AV give us ã35m in the bank tomorrow - not next season - plus Carew/Agbonlaho)" Anyway, I agree with the nature of the crime but not Cestriamackem's guilty party, if you dont mind me saying. SB was an accomplice but couldn't have done the deed himself. Even if he did suggest the sale then SNQ and especially ES would have veto on what is the company's biggest ever sale of its biggest asset. (And lets not forget DB and GH/RL as co-participants) The last equivalent was Peter Reid's correct but ultimately poorly judged attempt to bring in a replacement for (not yet S) NQ before he retired. The failure of Lilian, Torre, Marcus ultimately lead to Peter's demise. Its not (quite) too late for SB to make an inspired signing along the lines of DB/SKP and, actually come to think of it, Sess. A recent post listed the success of his signings and he shows promise. And most of his exits have been correct (except KJ and DB - which brings us back to the beginning!)
DB had been ****e & not trying for 2 month prior to his exit. Personally I think it must have been a very, very difficult call to make but they made it. To be fair when he left the 1st 3 or 4 games we played fantastic football and scored goals and only when the injuries kick in we slumped massively. Think where the mistake was made was apparently he had requested being away the previous summer, if this was the case wtf were the scouts doing in not having a possible replacement lined up. DB was class and done what he was paid to do and your right think a top 7 would have been attained with his goals if his attitude changed.
To answer your question, it definately involved Steve Bruce and Niall Quinn, because they both appeared seperately on tv interviews admitting to the fact. Steve Bruce has said on many occasions that every player has his price, therefore, we can only assume that Steve Bruce gave the green light to Niall Quinn, to commence negotiations with Aston Villa on the transfer.
Can I just say there were an awful lot of people on here and at the SOL starting to get on Darren Bents back for lack of commitment long before January. When he was sold 99% of people said they did not want someone who had obviously lied to the club and fans by saying how much he loved the club. Then we found out he wanted to go in the close season and was persuaded not to by NQ / SB. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it seems to me alot of fans on here have very short memories.
Well said Scatty. I well remember all the comments at the time, 24mil, snap their hands off! He did not want to play for us anyway!That solves Brucies problems we can now have what we all wanted, Gyan/Welbeck up front! Like Scatty says, hindsight is wonderful. Add in the,"Its all Brucies fault", 5 months down the line knowing what happened and how much Caroll was sold for and yes it was a disaster but all down to one man for me, Mr D Bent.
found this comment in one of todays papers from bruce. Brucie said: “I don’t have any *regrets over *Darren Bent. It was very *difficult at the time but the boy wanted to go. Obviously we’ve missed him. We have also had the problem of Welbeck, Campbell and Gyan *being injured.
Spot on Scatty Moo: There are Loads on here who seem to have selective memories.. For the record: I blame nobody but Bent for what happened, and I hope he gets slaughtered off the fans next time he plays at the SoL.
DB going was one thing; he didn't seem too enthusiastic at the time, so it may have made sense. But not having a replacement lined up was very foolish. He didn't get crap in the transfer window and if a departure was imminent, why didn't they have someone in the pipeline? The money was decent and if DB gets bored next season, he may start playing them the way he played us. Another move for "football reasons" anyone......?
