David Bentley (Blackburn)

The thing is that we have players that can play an important part in the champion’s league it’s the premiership that’s the priority.  He has the experience its added assurance, for the right price I really think we should be pushing for this one.  We will probably need two wingers as it seems most likely that both Kewell and Pennant will be gone at the end of the season.  If this is the case then one of the purchases should be a safe and calculated transaction that for me would be Bentley. 

Top post. Bently so far has imo demonstrated all the key elements to becomea top quality midfielder in a side like ours where with all due respect to Blackburn, he would be playing alongside better quality players.If as rumours suggest, Xabi is on his way back to Spain then Bently could fill the gap, not that I personally would want Xabi to leave.

Top post. Bently so far has imo demonstrated all the key elements to becomea top quality midfielder in a side like ours where with all due respect to Blackburn, he would be playing alongside better quality players.If as rumours suggest, Xabi is on his way back to Spain then Bently could fill the gap, not that I personally would want Xabi to leave.

How could Bentley fill the gap left by Xabi? Alonso plays as a defensive midfielder whereas Bentley plays predominately on the wing, and on the odd occassions he does play in the middle it's in an attacking role.

Havn't noticed Bentley's pace being anything exceptional, as you might expect for a winger. Think he's an o.k. sort of player. Strong, direct and determined. A good crosser of the ball, but not a top drawer player. Then again, I think he would be an improvment on Pennant who I don't think is any where near the standard required for L.F.C.

Havn't noticed Bentley's pace being anything exceptional, as you might expect for a winger. Think he's an o.k. sort of player. Strong, direct and determined. A good crosser of the ball, but not a top drawer player. Then again, I think he would be an improvment on Pennant who I don't think is any where near the standard required for L.F.C.

Pace isnt neccessarily key for a winger, look at Pedersen.

Also, described him as strong, direct and determind as well as a good crosser of the ball (understatement of the year?), well that sounds like a really top drawer winger to me.

As for Pennant, he may not be the big name player and people hold that against him but i rate Jermaine, he is quick and sticks to his wing while getting past his man and crossing it in with  accuracy.

Not getting stuck in GERNS mate, just expressing my opinion from your post

How could Bentley fill the gap left by Xabi? Alonso plays as a defensive midfielder whereas Bentley plays predominately on the wing, and on the odd occassions he does play in the middle it's in an attacking role.

What I'm suggesting Eddie is that he has the abilities to adopt a Xabi role in a better side such as ours, not that I would want to replace Xabi with him by choice.If and I do mean if Xabi goes short term , we need a replacement for that role, and the boy Bently has the ability to do it and has some good attacking football in him,and could be obtained at a price with some sell on value in him ( a point that Rafa seems to aim for).

What I'm suggesting Eddie is that he has the abilities to adopt a Xabi role in a better side such as ours, not that I would want to replace Xabi with him by choice.If and I do mean if Xabi goes short term , we need a replacement for that role, and the boy Bently has the ability to do it and has some good attacking football in him,and could be obtained at a price with some sell on value in him ( a point that Rafa seems to aim for).

Sorry mate but you just said attacking role and Xabi Alonso in the same sentence. Bentley is a winger, full stop.

Sorry mate but you just said attacking role and Xabi Alonso in the same sentence. Bentley is a winger, full stop.

Take your point mate, but he has that role at Blackburn. My point is that imo Xabi was/is at his best as an attacking midfielder scoring some spectacular goals, which is a role I think Bentley could fulfill. Sure he has to be able to get back and defend but with Mascher in the side we can afford the luxury of an attack based midfielder.I didn't start this topic and I wouldn't go out of my way to sign him in preference to Xabi but if Rafa does sign him then I would be happy to see him play preferably RW or as cover for Xabi.

Xabi has never played in an attacking role for us he's always played in a deeper role, more as a deep lying playmaker than a natural holding midfielder, but he's always operated in that area of the pitch & not in an attacking role. Bentley would be a good option IMO, but there's no way he'd be a good option as Xabi's replacement, they're nothing like each other in terms of style & the area of the pitch they operate in.

Fair point Eddie, I'll get my coat

Apparently Spurs are eager to beat us in the race to get Bentley but personally I dont think they have a chance because he is wanting to move to play european football and we can guarentee him that season after season where as Spurs cant

If Spurs

Apparently Spurs are eager to beat us in the race to get Bentley but personally I dont think they have a chance because he is wanting to move to play european football and we can guarentee him that season after season where as Spurs cant

If Spurs are eager to land him, then its bound to come down to wage demands as to who will sign him. And i am sure Rafa wont want to start handing out silly wages just to get his man. Although i reckon Bentley is the type of player who wants to suceed at his next club (us) and win medals, so hopefully we will see him here next season.

Pulled up an interesting stat the other day...

Pennant was the league leader in crosses when he played at Birmingham...or close to it.

And while bentley takes a mean free kick...and is a bit more direct towards goal...i can smell a flop.

Pulled up an interesting stat the other day...

Pennant was the league leader in crosses when he played at Birmingham...or close to it.

And while bentley takes a mean free kick...and is a bit more direct towards goal...I can smell a flop.

Mate I could smell a flop too if Bentley was going to join us. I seriously would rather someone more adventerous than Bentley. I like Quaresma, he's world class and attracts players to tackle him whereas Bentley doesn't!

I like bentley, his attitude is top notch. I liked quarsema as an option before but im less sure now. He drifts out of a game more than most players can and you forget hes on the field when he's having a bad one. I would like to see him playing for us.

The only problems i have is the drifting out of matches, being over confident (theres confident which we need and then theres over confidence that leads to you looking an idiot and regretting your words perfect example "i will silence the kop". Of all portos players the one i was most happy to see us beat in that 4-1 was ricardo just for that stupid comment then his terrible performance to follow it up) and the other is the price tag - £20-25 million is a BIG risk and although it can go well, e.g. Torres it can go the other way though which was displayed when he went to barca and caused unrest in the team.

Rafa isnt into Quaresma. He doesnt fit the bill of what Rafa looks for.

Bentley does.

Rafa isnt into Quaresma. He doesnt fit the bill of what Rafa looks for.

Bentley does.

Didnt stop him bidding for him though thats the thing. I think rafa is only put off by the price tag in all honesty and thats the main thing that puts me off along with the others i listed.

Rafa is into Mancini. Someone who's got the skills and tricks but also slickness and pace on the ball with brilliant link upo play. Only bad thing is that Mancini is like 28 and Quaresma only 24/25 so there is a bit of an age difference.

If I was Rafa I seriously wouldn't buy players over 25 years old

If I was Rafa I seriously wouldn't buy players over 25 years old

I wouldn't go that far, it can be good to have a few old hands in the squad, but I'd only go for them at a reasonable price. If we're going to play big money for a player it needs to be someone who will be around for a good while or will still be young enough in a few years time to have some resale value.

I wouldn't go that far, it can be good to have a few old hands in the squad, but I'd only go for them at a reasonable price. If we're going to play big money for a player it needs to be someone who will be around for a good while or will still be young enough in a few years time to have some resale value.

The best olds to have in the squad are ones who started there young and are still there when they're in their thirties! Hyppia and Carra being prime examples! 

Well, looks like David Bentley is a Liverpool player next season now. How happy should we be of that? Apparently he's got a lot of potential only being 23 years old.


LFC.TV - David Bentley is a player Liverpool are often linked with – how highly do you rate him?
 
Rafa - He is a good player. People have asked me about him and I say he is a player with quality but I have a lot of respect for the other team and so don't want to say too much.


Hmm I don't want to say too much...
Sounds like a deal has been between the two clubs, otherwise he'd talk about how dangerous Bentley can be rather than say "don't want to say too much" It's a hint in my opinion

You know when Rafa is on to something.  Watch this space!

Do you know what really does annoy me? When I hear people talking about David Bentley saying he's a good winger with a good cross but he's not fast enough for an out and out winger.

This boy is lightning. Been recorded running 21.3mph with the ball, none of our players have run that quick without the ball.

He is very quick, I wouldnt trust those nike stats though they arent solid.