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David Bentley: To Russia with Love

4 min read
by The Fighting Cock
I am going to say it. Thank you David Bentley and the best of luck in Russia.The Peterborough born winger may have failed to light up White Hart Lane, but Tottenham fans shouldn’t be too quick to discount the effect Bentley has had on our team, his mere presence at our club has taught us […]
I am going to say it. Thank you David Bentley and the best of luck in Russia.The Peterborough born winger may have failed to light up White Hart Lane, but Tottenham fans shouldn’t be too quick to discount the effect Bentley has had on our team, his mere presence at our club has taught us quite a few things.

The Bentley Effect

Never buy an in-form Englishman

If you take a minute to ponder this lesson you will immediately forgive Bentley of all his sins. The winger burnt Daniel Levy so bad that he hasn’t made the same mistake again.

Our chief purse holder and infamous negotiator learnt to: Never again buy an English player off the back of one good season and/or a hat-trick against Manchester United.

Had Liverpool bought Bentley then perhaps they wouldn’t have been suckered into buying an inform Andy Carroll, Stuart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

After being burnt by Bentley, the Spurs chairman changed tack and bought foreign players of quality such as: Emmanuel Adebayor, Luka Modric, Moussa Dembele and Sandro.

Thank you Bentley.

Making Aaron Lennon better

It’s an old adage that competition for places improves performances and thanks to Bentley this exact thing happened at Tottenham

Arriving in a blaze of glory and headlines, Bentley was the right winger we were told that everyone wanted.

His arrival at White Hart Lane was bad news for one nippy right winger who had found himself in a bit of a funk. After being hailed for his scintillating cameos at the 2006 World Cup, Lennon was back to his ineffectual best. Bentley, the new Beckham, was signed to replace the former Leeds United player and produce quality not just promise from the right touchline.

Both players were initially hampered by Juande Ramos’ tactical nuances, but under Redknapp, it was a straight fight between the two for a starting berth. Lennon was the man who stepped up and started to deliver.

The former Leeds man was a key component in Tottenham’s incredible start to the 2009-2010 season and was rewarded with a new contract and a place in the England 2010 World Cup squad, where he started two of England’s four games.

Whilst Lennon’s stock rose, Bentley took a Robert Pires-esque dive. The man signed to replace Lennon instead inspired him.

For this we offer many thanks.

Sometimes amazing things happen

“You gotta have faith.”

Bentley taught us that everyone is capable of one moment of sheer brilliance. That famous evening at the Emirates when he controlled the ball and sent it hurtling back over the Woolwich keepers head, he was touched very briefly by the football Gods.

Unfortunately for Bentley, the Gods of football never visited again, but still it proves that moments of magic can touch even the most unlikely of people. The next time you are on a pitch think of Bentley and believe.

The lesson is: If Bentley can do something magical, so can you.

Short Shorts: Never a good look

As Harry Redknapp spoke to the press after his triumphant night in leading us to his only Champions League qualification, a surprise bigger than the Inland Revenue knocking on his door was waiting for him.

A group of joyous Tottenham players led by Bentley were preparing to douse him in water. As Redknapp was doing what Redknapp does best, waxing lyrical to the world’s press, the Spurs players dumped a giant bucket of cold water on his head. Incredibly our former manager was still able to deliver a triffic sound bite, but that was overshadowed by Bentley’s Cool Down attire.

Daisy Duke Spurs embossed short shorts?

I let this fashion faux slide under me like a ball fired at Gomes and took the Prince Charles stance when dealing with Harry (his Harry not our former manager) and attributed it to youthful exuberance.

However, this summer whilst trying to impress new boss AVB, the former Blackburn Rovers man was at it again. Basking in the glorious American sunshine, he was pictured wearing his new Under Armour short shorts. This time Bentley had taken it too far.

Short Shorts on men = Not a good look. Lesson well and truly learnt.

Unfortunately for Bentley, and fortunately for his new teammates, amongst who is former Spurs stopper Stipe Pletikosa, I don’t think FC Rostov have the climate for him to do the same there.

Good luck Bentley

I truly hope Bentley enjoys a successful period in Russia and returns reenergized and ready to play. The former Blackburn man is a victim of the hype generated by the British press and a gigantic price tag.

Bentley is and always has been a decent player. He was never the new Beckham and never our right wing answer. What he has delivered at Spurs though are four invaluable lessons, and for that we should all be thankful.

All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

3 Comments

  1. Umbugi Gungabunga
    10/09/2012 @ 3:20 pm

    Dis de man plenty ju ju for de bars in puerto banus ok now play from rushar

  2. Lilywhite London
    12/09/2012 @ 12:10 am

    Just can’t imagine him in Russia, he’s just too… i dunno. Too much of a preening idiot? He loves himself too much to play a team sport at a high level or have the humility to adjust to another culture… Wrapping Astons around Hertfordshire trees is about his limit for me. 15 million?? Can’t believe it.

  3. Tony Rocky Horror
    12/09/2012 @ 9:57 pm

    His life and career have gone down the pan at Spurs, and I don’t think he’ll ever play for us again. Whilst he has been whiling away the time on the bench, the game has changed. It’s all ticke taka and short passing and movement, and he simply can’t do that.

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