Bent blast’s Dowie & Reed

Bent has been a stand-out under new gaffer Alan Pardew. His effort and work rate has improved massively and he says: ‘It’s been a difficult season for me, one of pure frustration.

‘Iain Dowie was in first and he had his favourites and I never really got a run in the side. Then Les Reed came in, the less said about that spell the better. He only picked me for a few cup games, and it’s hard to get form without a decent run in the side.


‘But Alan Pardew’s been honest with me. He’s shown a bit of confidence in me and has given me a run, and I’m happy with how I’m playing now.

‘I think the amount of work I’ve done in the past few games shows what it means to me to play here and be a success.

‘My whole Charlton career, even with a few injuries taken into account, has been a big frustration.

‘I’ve not really shown what I can do – or really had the chance to show it. When I moved from Everton I was playing like I am now, chasing everything and giving it my all week in, week out.

‘All I need now is a few goals. That’s what I’ll be judged on. In fairness, I’ve been playing up front on my own in the last few games and it’s hard to hold the ball up, bring others in and create chances for yourself at the same time.

‘But, as cliched as it sounds, I don’t mind if I don’t score for the rest of the season as long as we win games and get ourselves out of trouble.

‘Still, this is definitely the happiest I’ve been in my Charlton career so far.

‘I just hope I can keep playing and keep producing a good level of performance.’


With Darren Bent set to return from injury next week it looks set for both Bent’s to be running the front line in Pardew’s preferred 4 4 2 formation.