"David Bentley ... in the ... development squad"

[rsmith]

As the world was salivating over the Gareth Bale extravaganza, one of our most expensive ever signings was taking part in a "work out for the development squad".

Where did it all go wrong and will he ever make our first choice XI?

 

[ever]

isnt he coming back form an injury?
if so him playing in the development squad is just to help get his fitness and match sharpness back before joining the squad

 

[Kyras]

isnt he coming back form an injury?
if so him playing in the development squad is just to help get his fitness and match sharpness back before joining the squad

Yeah he's been injured and even if he hadn't been, he wouldn't have been fit.

 

[cwhite02]

He's been back from the injury for ages now.

With Lennon back I see him making the bench at best.

Sad as I still think there's a talent in there but he just needs to be playing. Probably best for all parties for him to move on. We have lots of options on the RW.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

we are just too good these days.

players like bentley and giovani can't make the bench and neither would guys like bassong & keane if we had no injuries.

 

[Mr Pink]

we are just too good these days.

players like bentley and giovani can't make the bench and neither would guys like bassong & keane if we had no injuries.

Absolutely, when Daws and Defoe come back Keane and Bassong won't be anywhere near the bench.

 

[AngerManagement]

I think he was a good player, but an example of a guy loooking better in a lesser team than he really was. A good player, blackburn enabled him to shine and he still is a good premier league player.

What he was not and never has been is a superstar player, not worth the type of money we spent on him I don't think.

Technically gifted yes, Premier league quality no doubt, but personally I rate Niko as a better player than him.

I don't think he is as bad as some people make out, he still has quality and is useful squad player. £16m for a squad player though hmmm, I think we and he would both be better off parting company, he could easily leave and become a star again in a a club like West Ham or Sunderland, which I feel would better suit his ego being the big fish in a smaller pond and we can easliy replace his postion in our squad.

 

[Adam]

Thats massively harsh on Bassong-was a crucial player last year

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I think he was a good player, but an example of a guy loooking better in a lesser team than he really was. A good player, blackburn enabled him to shine and he still is a good premier league player.

What he was not and never has been is a superstar player, not worth the type of money we spent on him I don't think.

Technically gifted yes, Premier league quality no doubt, but personally I rate Niko as a better player than him.

I don't think he is as bad as some people make out, he still has quality and is useful squad player. £16m for a squad player though hmmm, I think we and he would both be better off parting company, he could easily leave and become a star again in a a club like West Ham or Sunderland, which I feel would better suit his ego being the big fish in a smaller pond and we can easliy replace his postion in our squad.

Bang on I reckon, totally agree

 

[c0d]

Still has a part to play this season I think.

 

[Mr Pink]

Thats massively harsh on Bassong-was a crucial player last year

Its not really, its just fact. But your quite right Basssong came in and did very well with Daws last season and that shouldn't be forgotten. That said Kaboul is ahead of him, without question and so is Gallas for his experience and he will only improve with more match fitness. With King and Daws first choice and when both are fit, he simply is 5th choice.

I also think Kaboul will edge past Dawson in time, as controversial as that might sound. I love Daws and rate him highly now, but I think Kaboul has everything and could go on to be one of the best at CB.

 

[leffe186]

Its not really, its just fact. But your quite right Basssong came in and did very well with Daws last season and that shouldn't be forgotten. That said Kaboul is ahead of him, without question and so is Gallas for his experience and he will only improve with more match fitness. With King and Daws first choice and when both are fit, he simply is 5th choice.

I also think Kaboul will edge past Dawson in time, as controversial as that might sound. I love Daws and rate him highly now, but I think Kaboul has everything and could go on to be one of the best at CB.

It's difficult, because you never know where the injuries are going to come. Obviously we can consider Woody and King to be perma-injured, so a player like Bassong is going to be essential in the squad. In Bentley's case, when Lennon was off form/injured this year, Bentley was either injured or not fit enough to step in. His big disadvantage is that he doesn't appear to be as versatile as Jenas or Modric, or even Kranjcar. In addition, we're working on a high-tempo pressing game and looking to break at speed, which Bentley doesn't suit.

I'd happily keep him if I didn't think he was on huge wages, or that his value was rapidly depreciating - but I think both are the case.

 

[camaj]

I actually forgot we still had Bentley. Surely it's time to sell him

 

[nailsy]

How about an option in the poll saying he's a good squad player?

Once he's got his fitness back he'll be an important player for us - Lennon can't play every game.

 

[Spurs_Q8]

why just blaming Ramos for leaving him on LW, Redknapp used him there for several games ..

i think Bentley did useful job after Lennon injury in 2nd half of the season, and I'm sure with current system 4-2-3-1, he could be even more useful .. as i think he is playmaker - behind striker - more than right Mid. ..

I'm sure Bentley can score goals if he switched to that position if VDV isn't available .. same with Kranjcar .. Giovani must be a useful too .. we only need Super Striker ..

 

[davros]

Its not really, its just fact. But your quite right Basssong came in and did very well with Daws last season and that shouldn't be forgotten. That said Kaboul is ahead of him, without question and so is Gallas for his experience and he will only improve with more match fitness. With King and Daws first choice and when both are fit, he simply is 5th choice.

I also think Kaboul will edge past Dawson in time, as controversial as that might sound. I love Daws and rate him highly now, but I think Kaboul has everything and could go on to be one of the best at CB.

I agree with you about Kaboul's potential. He really could develop into a very special player.

I don't think that Bassong will be "nowhere near the bench" when Dawson and King are back, even if he is 5th choice. We'll have other injuries, players tire and fixtures become congested. When not starting games, Bassong will be on or very close to the bench.

When Bentley gets back to fitness I think he'll be quite useful. We'll see what happens in January, obviously, but I think he'll show his worth in the second half of the season.

 

[C-oops]

The same was being said about him this time last year. Then bang! Lennon gets injured and he steps in and plays a big part in us finishing 4th. Its a squad game as we all keep saying and we are lucky to have squad players of his quality.
I didnt vote in the poll as none of the choices are accurate enough.

 

[FITZ]

We signed him expecting him to step up and become a great player.

He clearly thought he had already made it.

 

[Mr Pink]

I agree with you about Kaboul's potential. He really could develop into a very special player.

I don't think that Bassong will be "nowhere near the bench" when Dawson and King are back, even if he is 5th choice. We'll have other injuries, players tire and fixtures become congested. When not starting games, Bassong will be on or very close to the bench.

When Bentley gets back to fitness I think he'll be quite useful. We'll see what happens in January, obviously, but I think he'll show his worth in the second half of the season.

Oh I agree with you, I only meant from the point of view if everybody is fit (which isn't often in reality anyway) that he wouldn't even make the bench but of course other factors dictate that he will.

 

[worcestersauce]

Lest we forget he played 45 minutes in the crucial 2-1 win against arsenal, 90 minutes in the crucial 2-1 win against chelsea and 30 minutes in the crucial 1-0 win at City.
Best we remember!