Marcus enigma

Marcus Bent may reasonably be considered something of an enigma.

He's got all the attributes to be a dangerous brute of a centre-forward, but too often punches below his weight.

He was becoming a bit of a target for disgruntled Blues fans. And there is that nagging frustration he could do even more in harnessing his physical attributes.

He's got the size, the athletic ability, the speed. He could, as Alex McLeish remarked a few weeks back, be a real 'beast' in the box.

Funnily enough, we've seen all that against Blues enough times in the past.

Steve Bruce wanted to bring him on board, and his interpretation of the lone striker's role for Everton at St Andrew's was one of the best I've seen in modern times.

He's had a chequered time at St Andrew's so far, but could well be a key player in the next few weeks. Especially in Kevin Phillips's absence.

Now Bent is not going to score one-in-two. But if he imposes himself, runs the channels and provides a focal point of the attack - and Blues need someone to keep the ball high
up the field - he can provide a considerable boon.

It is worth remembering that he wasn't drafted in as a first choice striker.

In the summer, McLeish had a preferred list that included Jason Roberts, Dave Kitson, James Beattie, and Bobby Zamora to go with Phillips. Price tags put them all out of range.

Being left out of the 16 in the wake of Carlos Costly's addition for the Burnley game may well have given Bent more than a little nudge in the right direction.

He seemed to grasp the nettle against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and his goal, however scrappy it may have been, will have helped his confidence.

Make no mistake, regardless of his experience, he felt it when fans got on his back.

And nobody should confuse Bent for a club-hopping mercenary, who doesn't give a jot.

He has been a strong voice in the dressing room and, when speaking to him about his lot and Blues, he comes across as caring, serious and a deep-thinker.

It's interesting to note that Blues have been at their most effective when they have had a big man, little man combination.

Earlier in the season it was the rejuventated Garry O'Connor and Kevin Phillips who did the trick.

Then the Bent and Phillips combination worked.

Of course, the common denominator here has been Phillips, whose instinct and nose for where to be and when has been so crucial.

So without Phillips, it's up to Bent and the others to fill the considerable void.

Costly seems to be a gamble - not a costly one, so to speak - a work in progress to say the least in a country where he has never played.

Bent could and should provide a better bet; and it's up to him to get the best out of himself, as well as McLeish.