David Bentley

This is not to dig out Arsenal, but was he released too early?

He's having a great season for Blackburn, both scored and assisted over half a dozen goals, scoring some belters. He's played well and scored against some very good sides in his time, been excellent for the under 21's and he has excellent technique (which is rare for some young English players).

Not to long imo till he's pushing for a place in the senior England side and maybe moving to a bigger club than Blackburn.

David Bentley is a fantastic talent - absolutely love his style.

If it was up to me he'd be in the England squad right now.

I don't see how Bentley can be discussed without having a dig at Arsenal, or at least Wenger. When Bentley scored that chipped FA cup goal for Arsenal, Wenger was likening him to Dennis Bergkamp. Less than two seasons later, he's gone.

I heard yet another person on 606 last night talking about how the English players who've left Arsenal of late 'weren't good enough'. It seems odd that so many of them go on to play very well at clubs of a similar or higher league position as Arsenal, thus indicating that they are good enough, it is just that Wenger hates English players.

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

TeamSpirit wrote:David Bentley is a fantastic talent - absolutely love his style.

If it was up to me he'd be in the England squad right now.

I'd put him in front of Shaun Wright-Philips at the moment and maybe Downing as well.

Sorry Coop.

Great post Parks- totally true, well played Bentley for showing Wenger that there is more to just piling in foreign youngsters.

apparently he's been scouted by Valencia as we speak, who are in need of a capable right winger.

better than SWP no doubt at the moment.

Another player whose stuck two fingers up at Wenger is Sidwell. Reading are cruising, and Sidwell has been imperious.

He's out of contract this summer, apparently he's been targeted by a number of clubs both in England and abroad as a result- that goal the other day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7zU19wFX0 - the second one, has been shown around the continent and impressed a number of clubs.

Saintsarama wrote:

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

I can see that as well.

I'd certainly take him over Richardson right now, though it may be best for him to stick at Blackburn for a season or two more.

when he scored yesterday, i started thinking if he would be good enough to play for Man Utd RM.

Parks lives wrote:

Saintsarama wrote:

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

I can see that as well.

I'd certainly take him over Richardson right now, though it may be best for him to stick at Blackburn for a season or two more.

Well, he needs regular football after spending his teenage years being ignored by Wenger, but if he carries this form through next season, I'd be surprised if no big club comes in for him.

I agree with TS, parks, and TRWP, he should certainly be in the squad ahead of Downing, SWP, and Lennon. He brings something a little different to the squad. I'm not sure i see him playing for a top 3 club though, not first team anyway(and being back up is hardly impressive). He'd need to keep it up for another season or two for me.

Saintsarama wrote:

Parks lives wrote:

Saintsarama wrote:

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

I can see that as well.

I'd certainly take him over Richardson right now, though it may be best for him to stick at Blackburn for a season or two more.

Well, he needs regular football after spending his teenage years being ignored by Wenger, but if he carries this form through next season, I'd be surprised if no big club comes in for him.

He should certainly stay another season at Blackburn and if he repeats this form then go after him.

If we did sign him though, I'd like to try and play him where Giggs is currently playing. A mixture of a left winger and an attacking midfielder. He can cut inside and help in central midfield with Evra over lapping and also go down the outside as well.

Kimbo wrote:I agree with TS, parks, and TRWP, he should certainly be in the squad ahead of Downing, SWP, and Lennon. He brings something a little different to the squad. I'm not sure i see him playing for a top 3 club though, not first team anyway(and being back up is hardly impressive). He'd need to keep it up for another season or two for me.

no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

and no. not infront of lennon. infront of swp.

Lennon and Bentley and possibly downing (who is still best left footer we have) should all be in the squad.

saying that, the england squad would probably ruin him right now, just like it is everyone else. Mclaren would probably have him playing at left back

Saintsarama wrote:I don't see how Bentley can be discussed without having a dig at Arsenal, or at least Wenger. When Bentley scored that chipped FA cup goal for Arsenal, Wenger was likening him to Dennis Bergkamp. Less than two seasons later, he's gone.

I heard yet another person on 606 last night talking about how the English players who've left Arsenal of late 'weren't good enough'. It seems odd that so many of them go on to play very well at clubs of a similar or higher league position as Arsenal, thus indicating that they are good enough, it is just that Wenger hates English players.

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

Acording to the Portuguese «gutter press», Wenger got rid of Bentley because he had spurned his sexual advances. Of course, that doesn't mean it's true, but, «not every cow is born pink» as the Outer Mongolians would say.

So if we had 8 midfielders in the next England squad.

Lennon, Bentley, Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, Hargreaves, J Cole, Downing.

Still like to just dump Lampard but I can't see it happening.

"Tuffy" Monag wrote:

Saintsarama wrote:I don't see how Bentley can be discussed without having a dig at Arsenal, or at least Wenger. When Bentley scored that chipped FA cup goal for Arsenal, Wenger was likening him to Dennis Bergkamp. Less than two seasons later, he's gone.

I heard yet another person on 606 last night talking about how the English players who've left Arsenal of late 'weren't good enough'. It seems odd that so many of them go on to play very well at clubs of a similar or higher league position as Arsenal, thus indicating that they are good enough, it is just that Wenger hates English players.

I think Bentley will play for a top three club (i.e. someone better than Arsenal) before his career is out.

Acording to the Portuguese «gutter press», Wenger got rid of Bentley because he had spurned his sexual advances. Of course, that doesn't mean it's true, but, «not every cow is born pink» as the Outer Mongolians would say.

Wenger looked so overjoyed when his kids won last night. It should have been a heartfelt moment, had my first thought not been that he'd probably be joining them for the communal bath afterwards

Kimbo,


Sure, I don't think that he's ready yet, but I see enough in his game that if he keeps on improving, he'll be more than ready for CL/top three football.

Bentley is a classy player.

I think I still prefer Milner to him though - they're both pretty similar on the face of things except that bentley is 2/3 years older I think and at present has better finishing than Milner.

Bentley should IMO be pushing for a place on the England bench though. Bentley>>>>>Jenas

Anyone see him ending up a central midfielder though?

Tweedle wrote:Bentley is a classy player.

I think I still prefer Milner to him though - they're both pretty similar on the face of things except that bentley is 2/3 years older I think and at present has better finishing than Milner.

Bentley should IMO be pushing for a place on the England bench though. Bentley>>>>>Jenas

Yup, lets add him to the loooong list of players that should be in the squad ahead of Nemo.

Tweedle wrote:Bentley is a classy player.

I think I still prefer Milner to him though - they're both pretty similar on the face of things except that bentley is 2/3 years older I think and at present has better finishing than Milner.

Bentley should IMO be pushing for a place on the England bench though. Bentley>>>>>Jenas

Bentley DOB: August 27, 1984

Milner DOB: January 4, 1986

So, Bentley's about 16 months older. And had the considerable disadvantage of being an English teenager at Arsenal, whereas Milner is one of the youngest ever players to play in the Premiership.

I see them as about level at the moment - Bentley is more likely to score, is a bit bigger and stronger, but Milner has considerably better dribbling ability.

Parks lives wrote:Anyone see him ending up a central midfielder though?

Bentley? Possibly. He's got the physical attributes, and is pretty two-footed. Never seen him play there though, so it's hard to judge.

Well he started out as a support forward, then moved to the wing, so it shows he quite versatile so wouldn't be surprised to see him switch more central as he loses some acceleration

He's not the fastest from what I've seen, though he's no slouch. He has good passing and vision, two good feet, fairly strong and competitive so could make a very good central midfielder.

He played central midfield in the FA cup vs Luton and was excellent.

Bentley has looked very impressive this season, and I suppose a good argument can be put forward for Arsenal letting him go early. In my opinion I think Bentley needed this move to help him mature and sort out his attitude. I think he thought he had already made it at Arsenal and didn't really produce what he was capable of. I think Norwich experienced this side of his character as well when he was on loan there.

I think moving to Blackburn put him in a side whose style of play suits him, and he has gone from strength to strength. I think it also took him out of the spotlight a bit and gave him the chance to mature and concentrate more on his football. I would like to see him in the England squad some time soon. If Nolan can be put forward for the squad then Bentley definitely deserves to be there, and he has the technical ability to play well at that level.

He's a no.10 IMO - put him in between two DM's and the Striker(s) and allow him to drift, and he'll be devastating IMO. But then again, he'll sadly end up like J.Cole, Dunn, Scholes, McManaman, Merson, Barnes, Le tissier etc. etc. - doing a fill-in job at left wing or just being totally wasted by England.

Sheffield gunner wrote:Bentley has looked very impressive this season, and I suppose a good argument can be put forward for Arsenal letting him go early. In my opinion I think Bentley needed this move to help him mature and sort out his attitude.

The Real White Powder wrote:

Kimbo wrote:I agree with TS, parks, and TRWP, he should certainly be in the squad ahead of Downing, SWP, and Lennon. He brings something a little different to the squad. I'm not sure i see him playing for a top 3 club though, not first team anyway(and being back up is hardly impressive). He'd need to keep it up for another season or two for me.

no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

and no. not infront of lennon. infront of swp.

Lennon and Bentley and possibly downing (who is still best left footer we have) should all be in the squad.

saying that, the england squad would probably ruin him right now, just like it is everyone else. Mclaren would probably have him playing at left back

EPL Only:

Aaron Lennon: 13 starts (2 Subs) - 2 goals, 3 assists.

David Bentley: 26 starts(0 subs) - 3 goals, 4 assists

What about all competitions TS?

Bentley has 6 goals and 7 assists in 36 games this season.

Parks lives wrote:What about all competitions TS?

Bentley has 6 goals and 7 assists in 36 games this season.

Lennon has 3 goals & 5 assists in 25 games, I think.

EDIT: Bugger beat me to it.

Add 6 sub appearances to that though.

Didn't realise apart from one game, Bentley had played every minute this season.