CAN you imagine the furore from Sunderland fans had Kevin Phillips left Sunderland in a similar fashion ten years ago? Yes, he left under something of a cloud, but the cloud was not of his making. It was laid at the feet of Peter Reid’s mishandling of a potentially “best ever” Sunderland squad. Perhaps the lack of real angst from Black Cats fans says everything.

Bent has gone and good riddance. At best he is a goal poacher who can score at a ratio of 1/5 chances; the remainder of his game is average at best.

He can’t head, his control is poor and he can’t play with his back to goal to save his life. Shearer, Quinn, Crouch could, or can do, all of these and still score goals.

He’s obviously had his nose pushed out since the arrival of Gyan and Welbeck and perhaps he’s realised that he was third best “allround” of the threesome. It’s time for Steve Bruce to look for a big, bustling centre forward to play alongside Gyan, Welbeck or Campbell.

Sunderland have been too easily knocked off the ball all season and the season before with Jones in the team.

Capello and Redknapp can’t both be wrong about Bent and £24m for a onedimensional, limited player has got to be the best deal SAFC have ever done!

If he starts another game for England I’ll wear a black and white hat and if he scores I’ll eat it!

Alan Jackson, Waterhouses, Durham

AS a lifetime Rokerite and (every) season ticket holder at the Stadium of Light, I say good riddance to Darren Bent. Money, money, money!

How old is Bent, 26? How many clubs has he played for, four? At less than two years each I may be too old for the modern game but where are the Jim Montgomery, Michael Grays, or Julio Arcas? They all had passion with loyalty to SAFC.

Is it finally time for me to support The Northern League? Come on Norton & Stockton Ancients!

J Sheraton, Stockton

DARREN Bent receiving a lecture on club loyalty from Steve Bruce…Steve Bruce?

Club loyalty? This must be the first time those words have appeared together.

D. Reed, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees.