What more can Darren Bent do?

England striker Darren Bent continued his remarkable start to the season as Sunderland recorded their second Premier League win over a top 4 club this season. The Black Cats beat Arsene Wenger’s side 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, with Bent scoring the only goal of the game after reacting quickest to an Andy Reid corner, sending a strike into the roof of the net.

The victory continues to underline the progress that Steve Bruce’s side have made this season. Sunderland have gained 7 points from a possible 12 against last year’s big four and were incredibly unlucky not to come away from Old Trafford with all three points. Their rise up the Premier League table has been largely due to the form of their talisman Darren Bent, who has recorded 9 Premier League goals so far this season.

Bent recently received an England call up for the friendly against five-times world champions Brazil and was handed a start by manager Fabio Capello, yet things did not go as well as hoped. Bent was widely criticised for his performance in Doha and question marks were raised over his World Cup place. In my eyes this raises the question;  when will Darren Bent get the recognition that his ability truly deserves?

Bent currently lies third in the Premier League golden boot standings, two behind Jermaine Defoe, who flew to the top after an incredible five goals against Wigan yesterday. The ex-Spurs man is just one behind Fernando Torres and equal with Didier Drogba, I think that therefore Darren Bent has every right to feel a bit confused at the moment. Drogba and Torres are undoubtedly two of the world’s greatest strikers, both of which have been on top form this season. With all the respect in the world to Sunderland, it is safe to say that their teams are not of the calibre of Liverpool’s and Chelsea’s. Bent’s goal scoring record is currently on par with these two great strikers, a fact that I believe is not getting the credit that it deserves.

Admittedly Bent did not put the best performance of his career in for England against Brazil; however it must be noted that both him and Wayne Rooney lacked service from an under-strength midfield. Bent has the right to feel a little hard done by, it is almost as though he must work exceptionally hard to earn his chance, yet must then provide instant results when he receives it.

Darren Bent’s goal scoring ability throughout his career has proved that the man has potential to compete on the highest stages. What therefore must Bent do to receive the credit that other top strikers receive? Given more opportunities I have no doubt that Bent will succeed at international level – however it seems as though this is the big step in which he needs to take. On top of this Bent may always be haunted by his supposed failures at Tottenham. It may take a successful move to a bigger club at a later point in his career for the Sunderland ace to receive a status as a top class striker, to prove that he has no problem playing and succeeding on the bigger stage. However for the time being, if Bent keeps scoring for Steve Bruce’s men at the rate that he currently is, he will do himself and his reputation no harm, and who knows, Sunderland could soon also be destined for big things if they continue to beat the big boys.