Veteran brings up Boro’s average age

Nov 7 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MARCUS Bent reckons that Gordon Strachan is right to be looking for experience to aid Middlesbrough’s promotion bid.

Thirty-one-year-old Bent – a veteran of Birmingham’s promotion from the Championship last season – was Strachan’s first loan signing as he looked to add more second tier know-how to Boro’s able but raw squad.

Bent is set to make his first start in this afternoon’s game at Crystal Palace with eighth-placed Boro looking to make up lost ground on their promotion rivals after their stumble against Plymouth in Strachan’s first game.

He might not like to be reminded of it – joking that he is feeling “21 again” after training with the Boro young guns – but if he does start at Selhurst Park then the striker will bring the team’s average age up considerably.

That is something that Strachan is keen to do, and a move that Bent feels will only help his side’s battle for a quick return to the top flight.

“The boys here have got quality, Middlesbrough are a club geared for the Premier League and we have to get back there,” he said.

“If you look at Birmingham, the experience in that squad is amazing. You have players who have played in both divisions.

“There's a few youngsters here, they have been given their chance and they are learning quickly. It's a very hard league and its gruelling, so experience is important.

“When I got promoted with Blackburn and Birmingham, we had an abundance of experience in those years. There was a lot of talented players when I was at Ipswich but they had to be sold.

“We also had experience with Sheff United but we fell away towards the end of the season.”

As well as helping a young side to make their mark in the division, Bent’s other motivation for arriving at the Riverside is the chance to play under Strachan.

Boro’s new boss is an intriguing character – a proven success as a manager who is also well-known for his acerbic one-liners. And while Bent acknowledges that there is a definite ‘fear factor’ about the new manager he is delighted to get the chance to play for an “incredible coach” like Strachan.

“He is witty, funny and an incredible coach. So for me to come to a club and work under him at this stage of my career is great for me,” he said.

“He is a good coach, manager. All in all he seems like he can put confidence into the team.

“The players have shown instant respect because they have heard these rumours – just like you lot have!

“Seriously, the players have respect for him because he played at the highest level of the game, he needs to be respected for that and then his managerial career. He is someone to loom up to and when you are asked to do it you do.

“It's the same at any club when a new manager comes in, there's a lot of running to be done while you work the manager out and vice-versa. He is very up front and that's what the boys are finding out.”

Bent is looking forward to a reunion with another manager he has plenty of respect for – the “loopy” Neil Warnock.

“He was loopy. I have an abundance of respect for him because he is another manager who will put your arm around you when you need it,” he said.

“I played with Neil Warnock and at Palace. They will regard themselves as one of the big teams in the Championship, but they will want to beat us. We will have to go there and show composure and come away with something.

“Palace have played in the Championship a while now, so they will know how to play.”