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.

Bent to go or stay?

Darren Bent has reminded Harry Redknapp that he is Spurs top goalscorer this season.

Bent issued an ultimatum on Friday, stating that he will reconsider his future if he continues to be side-linedby Redknapp.

With the return of Keane and Defoe to the Lane, alongside summer signing and European championship star Pavlyuchenko, Bent has slipped way down the pecking order. The former Charlton striker was linked to Sunderland in January and following Friday’s statement it is yet to be seen how his future will unfold. With the number of alternative, an agruably better strikers at Spurs’  it’s unlikely that Bent will get a huge amount of match time (he must be feeling a little de ja-vu!).  Although, with Defoe’s injury he may got more match time over the coming weeks.

Whatever the statistics say, Bent is not as productive on the pitch as Keane or Pavlyuchenko simply because he can not hold the ball or up or win it in the air. Keane is great at holding the ball, while Pavlyuchenko has a good eye for distribution and has played some fantastic long balls from a midfield poistion to play in those further forward or the on the wing. Bent on the other hand can only finish from within the box, contributing little else anywhere on the pitch.

With that said, Spurs must to win six Premier league games to be remain safe from relegation, with the derby and the international break behind us we must concentrate on winning points in the league. This means goals. Bent does score and we may very well need him to stay up. In fact I think we will most definately need him, in order to stay up. Despite his shortcomings elsewhere,  his penatly box finishing and fast forward runs both may prove vital for clinching vital goals (and points). We definately wnat him on the bench as an substitute that could come on and score.

Setanta quoted Redknapp  earlier today saying: “If you’re any player not playing games you’re not going to be happy. But me and Harry get on fine. I’ve got no problem with Harry and he’s got no problem with me so I’ll just go out there and get on with it.” (Setanta)

Darren Bent image above (Mirror).

Spurs: six wins to stay safe?

Harry Redknapp thinks Tottenham Hotspurs need to win six more Premier League games in order to avoid relegation.

But where are those eighteen points going to come from?

Defoe is out for the next 5 games at least which means our striking options are still a huge concern depsite his, and Keane’s return to the Lane.

Fortunately Pavlyuchenko will only get better with time as he settles into the English league –  he has looked impressive at moments, with superb long balls and Berbatov style touches. And Darren Bent to0 looks like he’s finally on the up (finally), although it is yet to be seen how long this will last.

The midfield certainly looked stronger against Arsenal on Sunday than it has in recent games. Man of the match Palacios had an awesome game, and certainly added the steel to Spurs style that Redknapp so desperately wanted.

If Bentley finally comes to form we will have some great wide options too (he could certaintly do with a little fitness training having looked sluggish since his arrival to the Lane). In contrast, on the other wing, Lennon is looking on top form, so if Bentley up’s his game we could once again be formidable out wide in attack.

Cudicini has also fitted in without any problems and looks like a fine asset. With Gomes competing for his number one shirt the standard of our keeping can only improve (something that has been so tempermental in recent seasons) a solid keeper bodes well for a more solid team.

We will always create chances and so we must try to keep clean sheets if we are to indeed win six games (by no means an impossible feet, by the way).This is not to say our back four hasn’t been performing. Woodgate and Dawson have been class acts since Harry Redknapps arrival (and indeed, even under former boss Ramos). And with Chimbonda back (as long as he doesn’t play like he did against Arsenal) we should have a sturdier defence.

Alan Hutton however is still sidelined with long term foot injury.

Spurs news

The Official site says that Tottenham’s Premier League match away to Aston Villa has been chosen for live television coverage by Sky Sports and will now take place on Sunday, March 15. KO at 4pm at Villa Park. (Official Site)

Rafa Benetiz refuses point blank to answer questions about Robbie Keane’s long term future at Liverpool. (The Sun)

Luka Modric wanted by Inter Milan in swap for Materazzi (Mirror)