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Bentley’s no jack the lad, says Harry
Tom Collomosse03.03.09
David Bentley has been assured that he does have a future at White Hart Lane despite missing a penalty at Wembley and playing a bit-part role at the club since Harry Redknapp took over as manager in October.
Bentley's shoot-out nigthmare, when he fired his effort past the post in the Carling Cup Final defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, was the latest setback in a dire seven months for the 24-year-old since his £15million move from Blackburn but Redknapp went out of his way to back the winger ahead of tomorrow's crucial Premier League match at home to Middlesbrough.
The Spurs boss said: “He has not been in as good form as he has been last year but I am sure he will get back to that. He wants to get back into the England squad and I can't fault his attitude. He is not as confident a person as perhaps people think, a lot of them have the wrong idea about him. They think he is a flashy jack-the-lad' type but he is not, he's a dedicated professional.”
Redknapp's comments come after Bentley's team-mate Didier Zokora revealed that the former-Arsenal midfielder was suffering a crisis of confidence.
Although he was initially a first-team regular after Redknapp's arrival as manager in October, Bentley has since fallen down the pecking order and is behind Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Jamie O'Hara in the battle for places in the wide-midfield roles.
Zokora admitted: "David Bentley needs the confidence of the manager. When the player has the confidence, he wants to play 100 per cent. For him, it is difficult, but he can come back quickly. He is a strong personality, and he brings a great atmosphere to the dressing room, because he talks to everybody."
Despite Zokora's words of encouragement, it is understood that Spurs would be ready to sell Bentley in the summer as Redknapp prepares for another major rebuilding job on his squad.
Redknapp was so desperate to improve his options on the wings that he offered £15m for Stewart Downing during the January transfer window, and he can expect Middlesbrough to accept less than that in the summer - especially if the Teesside club are relegated.
Bentley could earn a rare starting place against Boro tomorrow night if Lennon fails to recover from the knock he picked up at Wembley.
Lennon is not the only player struggling to be fit for the vital match at White Hart Lane - Boro are in the relegation zone but only two points below 14th-placed Spurs - as Redknapp counts the cost of his team's efforts on Sunday.
Defender Michael Dawson was limping heavily at the end of the game and is a doubt, while Ledley King will almost certainly miss the game as his knee problems mean he can play only once a week. The possible additional absence of Jonathan Woodgate, who failed a fitness test on an Achilles injury before the Carling Cup final, could mean the unsettled Tom Huddlestone is in the frame to play at centre-back, which would be his first League start since Boxing Day.
Like Bentley, Huddlestone was heavily involved during Redknapp's early weeks in charge, but has since fallen out of favour.
The 22-year-old attracted interest from Fulham during the last transfer window, and he admitted: "It has been very frustrating recently. If I get an opportunity, all I can do is remind the manager what I can do.
"I have not really spoken to the manager that much. The only rumours I know are what I hear and what I read about, so it has been frustrating. Not playing is very difficult. I just have to force my way back into the team. It is a case of continuing to work hard, and trying not to let the situation affect me daily."
Redknapp is also likely to have defender Alan Hutton available again before the end of the season. The former Rangers player has been out of action since November with a foot injury, and it was initially thought that he would miss the rest of the campaign.
But Hutton was due to resume training this week, and Scotland coach George Burley has not given up hope of including him in his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Holland on 28 March.
Reader views (11)
I agree with Jack from Luton, Big mistake by not playing a stronger team on thursday. We paid the money for Bently and the others and like him. Why has De Santo's Bostwick and other young players been introduced more regularly? As for Europe I would be alot happier if and fingers crossed we stay in the premership!
- Cormac, Whitstable Kent
Not the type of player 'arry wants in his team And i agree with him.Cannot understand why we purchased him and at such a high price too.His England performances showed he wasn't up to it.He and Mr Bent will be shipped out this summer!Will anybody want them?
- Alan, Bromley U.K.
I cannot understand why we bought Bentley & at such an extortionate price, with a large proportion going to our greatest rivals. Both Bentley & Lennon can only play in the same position, so I would retain Lennon, sell Bentley & purchase a young right-side player with potential.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
We don't believe it. We are not going down. Why are you even mentioning it?
If the Manager had put out a couple of more seasoned players in the UEFA cup we could still be in Europe. Sometimes you have to be brave and take the risk. So now after Sundays defeat we only have the league to play for. A good run now will put us in a reasonable spot in the league and who knows we could qualify for Europe. An in form Bentley would be a great asset to us in this final run in. Football changes so quickly look at what a start Hull had and they are now struggling to pick points up. To try to pin point one player for the lack of success this season is pretty short sighted.
- Jack, Luton, Bedfordshire
The stick that he is getting in my opionion is justified
If he spent more time on his game and less time promoting himself then he would not be in the posistion that he is in today. Having said that he does need the manager and the team to lift his spirits......but isnt that what he gets paid to do he has had a certain attitude since he came to Spurs that says that he has made it and belive me he has not....cannot see him at the Lane next year
- Anon, Wanstead,London
Do us a favour everyone and give the geezer a break will ya , Bentley is a smashing player , granted he ain't had the greatest of starts or seasons even , but to slag him off and give up on him after a third of his first season with us is pretty poor for Spurs fans , even if I do say so myself .
As a LOYAL spurs fan in every definition of the word , I say the lad will turn the corner and next season he'll come out all guns blazing ! ,and with the addition of Stewart Downing on the left flank to complement ,I say watch us go next year.
" Come on you Spurs " !!
- Scott Willmoth, enfield london
Bentley is at a good club, he was the best player at a mediocre team... No the Bentley i saw playing for blackburn..Too cocky needs to roll his sleeves up, we are in a battle, now show your real side..
Still buzzing after the 4-4 draw with Arsenal.
- Adrian, london
I’m going to miss you Spurs after you get relegated to the Championship with my reject Bentley. He wasn’t even good enough to get into my reserves. So thanks for the £7.5million sell on clause I got from Blackburn. If you want anymore of my rejects for an inflated price you can contact me at Arsenal.com
Thanks again
Arsene
- Anon, Ashburton Grove, London
Ted, your mad, were going up the table, not down.
Bentley tries to hard and over complicates things. You can see he's trying but his game is about confidence and he doesn't have a lot at the moment.
I hope it comes good for him soon as I think he could be fantastic for us if he turns the corner.
- Mark, St Albans
He is a professional sports person paid vast sums of money so why should he be backed now after failing.Ask him to refund this seasons wages and see what happens!
- Mike, London England
Bentley? Waste of money, and not the type to get us out of the Championship - because, you'd better believe it, we ARE going DOWN!
- Ted, London
