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13:54, Sunday 16th January. As Asamoah Gyan bundled the ball home in the 94th minute of the Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland had restored some of the pride lost during the humiliating 5-1 defeat at St James Park 77 days earlier. The team had strengthened their grip on 6th position in the Barclays Premier League, with a squad of young, hungry players combined with the experience of players who had point to prove, marshalled excellently by theirrepre sible Steve Bruce.Add into the mix an England international striker with a Premier League strike-rate that compares with any of the best and the recipe was surely one for succe s. However, by Monday lunch-time news had emerged that the very same forward had handed in a transfer request and seems now destined for a move to a club hovering just above the Guillermo Heredia Jersey drop-zone. Where will the goals come from now for the Black Cats? Will others follow Bent out of the door? And what does this say for the future of a side who are forced to sell one of its top talent?The decision by Bent itself seems, at best, strange and at worst, greedy. A player worshipped by some of the best football fans in the country at Sunderland, he has symbolised all that has been good in Bruces reign so far. Hard-working and consistent, Bent made a mockery of the 10 million Sunderland paid and showed those who had doubted him in his awful spell at Spurs that he could still score goals at the highest level. He was unfortunate not to go to the World Cup and having scored his first England goal in September, he seemed destined to play a bigger role for Capellos men. He talked at length Mallex Smith Jersey about his love of the area and cited his desire to take the club into Europe and become a Sunderland legend.The rumour mill has gone into over-drive as everyone has a stab at gue sing the reasons behind one of the potentially surprise deals of a relative moribund transfer window. Many believe that Bent Ricardo Sanchez Jersey wanted increased terms on his contract in the summer and even the captaincy, and when it was refused, he wanted out. Others claim that since the talents of Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan have been added to the front-line, Bent became disenchanted with his new role. Forever the hero of the Stadium of Light, many fans say that playing in a front three rather than as the lone striker has only had a negative effect on the Tooting-born front man. It is likely that we will only find out the truth after the deal is completed, but it seems that ,unlike the Tevez and Rooney sagas that ended in amiable circumstances, this scenario will end with anything other than Bent leaving the club ; the Sunderland fans are likely to be a much le s forgiving bunch.Bent, it should be recognised, is making a sideways move. Sunderland have a bigger stadium, a squad at a much more advanced stage than Villa and a manager who is unlikely to be sacked any time soon, which isnt guaranteed giving the terrible start made by Gerard Houllier. Although the potential fall-out between Bruce and Bent is a po sibility, it seems that unfortunately the best po sible answer to Bents decision is money. The papers suggest Bent could make double his wages at Villa Donnie Walton Jersey Park and again he could be the main man at the club, with only Emile Heskey and an out of sorts Gabby Agbonlahor providing competition.So, when Bent goes what next for Sunderland? The first priority would be signing another striker. A swift move for another Spurs misfit Roman Pavyluchenko could prove popular, with Jay Boothroyd, Craig Bellamy and even Charlie Austin of Swindow Town mentioned. But if they cannot tie up a deal this window, all will not be lost. The midfield core of Lee Cattermole and particularly local lad Jordan Henderson are perhaps even more important than Bent and if they can retain these players then Sunderland can prove they are not just a selling club and continue their march towards Europe. After all, Sunderland have been succe sful so far this season without Bent being anywhere near his best. A place in next seasons Europa League would be a deserved reward for a club and a region that deserves succe s given its pa sion for the game. And if Brandon Brennan Jersey the Black Cats achieve that in May while Villa are gearing up for a season in the Championship, there will be double reason to celebrate for those on Wearside.