Spurs’ David Bentley to go in the summer

David Bentley will end his miserable spell at Spurs in the summer with a move to Martin O’Neill’s Aston villa for £9million.

The Tottenham winger has endured a torrid time since his £15million move from Blackburn last year.

And his dire season was compounded with a missed penalty in Spurs’ Carling Cup final shootout defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

Home fans jeered when his name was announced before the victory over Middlesbrough last week as Redknapp kept him on the bench.

David Bentley’s time at the Lane has been a troubled one and under Redknapp he has found times even tougher.

The talk is that Spurs would settle for a fee in the region of £9million for the England international despite splashing out £15million for him last summer, and apparently he would be happy with a move to the midlands club.

Bentley to play in Tottenham Hotspurs Cup Final

David Bentley’s chances of starting the Carling Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday have significantly improved after Harry Redknapp has left him out of the squad to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the the second leg of the UEFA cup tie tonight.

But Bentley could still lose his place to Jamie O’Hara on Sunday.

Since arriving from Blackburn, Bentley has done very little to warrant a place in the club’s biggest domestic match of the year (with the exception of his goal against Arsenal, he has been weak and showed a poor work rate). This has been noticed by Redknapp who has favoured the energy and bite of Jamie O’Hara – an example of the so called ’steel’ that Redknapp wanted and the reason behind signing Wilson Palacios from Wigan in January. Far too often Bentley will run (if you can call it that, it’s more of a stroll) with the ball and lose it, or release it with a misplaced pass. He always tries one too many touches or little flicks to, which rarely pay-off (mis-placed audacity and flair, and unfit are probably the best words to describe his performance at the Lane to date.) The free kicks and crossing ability which excelled at Blackburn and earnt him a couple of England caps in 2008 has been non-existant.

Alongside the league, the Cup final has been made  a priority by Harry Redknapp. Does Bentley therefore really deserve a place?

O’Hara’s selection could free up Luka Modric to play in the hole.

Meanwhile, Woodgate’s position at the back has been secured after he shrugged off injury worries after he suffered a gash on the head at Hull on Monday night.

Is Bent, Bent? Or Benty?

It seems that the Official site has nick-named Darren Bent “Benty” and Bentley “Bents.” Hardly breaking news but interesting to note.

Perhaps such an affectionate name means that “Benty” is happy at Spurs and plans to move are not really on the cards despite his public statement, well ultimatum on Friday – play me or I’ll leave he said.

Meanwile, “Bents” needs to pull his socks up and start performing, we are still yet to see the level of performance he reached at Blackburn Rovers which earnt him a couple of England caps last year.