Hail-Bent

I keep having this recurring nightmare about our central midfield, but I will sleep easier tonight knowing that Darren Bent will be leading the line again next season. Ever the diplomat, he even suggested there would be some doubt who might be partnering him up front, "I'm really looking forward to the new season. Whoever I'm playing with up front - Jimmy-Floyd, Marcus Bent or Kevin Lisbie - I just can't wait to get underway."

A large part of my job involves judging people's characters, often based upon just a few minutes of interaction (and no, I'm not a perennial speed-dater). And pleasingly, it's pretty obvious to me that our most valuable asset comes across as an intelligent, modest and all-round good egg. Danny Murphy aside, we have a good record of buying players who appreciate they are not bigger than the club, and it's reassuring to know that we signed another last summer.

It's also a good career move for him - had he joined Spurs for example, he'd have faced competition from Defoe, Keane, and Berbatov. At Charlton, he'll hopefully partner JFH, and then face competition from, erm....Marcus Bent and Kevin Lisbie (as he helpfully pointed out). Whether or not he will be a Charlton player in four years time is a moot point, but it shows some ambition and will improve our bargaining position should he continue to find the net on a regular basis.

As Charlton fans, we're used to the idea that our best players eventually move on. It's not unreasonable to ask however that they do so on the club's terms, not theirs. If Bent continues to improve and moves to a bigger club, then we should remember his humility today and wish him the best. Reassuringly, the two players whose selfish actions most rankle from recent seasons (the aforementioned Murphy and Scott Parker) have seen their careers amount to virtually nil since their move.