DAVID BENTLEY HAS nailed his colours to the mast ahead of Saturday’s North London derby but hopes one of his former clubs can finish the season strongly to pip Manchester City to the title.
The former England international, who retired from football three years ago, is adamant a third Premier League crown for Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be the worst outcome from a title race which appears set to go down to the wire.
31-year-old Bentley, who played for both Arsenal and Tottenham, says he would ‘hate it’ if Man City were to go on and lift the title in May.
“If Man City win it, I think it will be terrible for the league,” he said. “I think it will officially be the worst season ever because they will actually win it playing useless.
“The quality of the league is less, teams have under-performed so that’s why they’re sitting where they are.
“If Man City go and win the league it will be the worst thing ever, it would. With that team, it would be such a boring season. You could take nothing from it.”
“I think it’s been a poor league this. Has it been exciting? In what way, I don’t think so. It’s a reflection of how poor the league has been rather than Leicester being the best team.”
With the final stretch of the campaign approaching, this weekend’s derby at White Hart Lane could potentially be a defining fixture in the run-in.
Both Tottenham and Arsenal slipped-up midweek with Leicester, despite dropping points at home, extending their advantage to three at the summit.
City, who suffered defeat at Anfield last night, are ten points behind the Foxes.
Bentley, who now runs and owns a restaurant and bar in Marbella, has separated himself from the game since retiring but would love to see Tottenham win their first league title since 1961.
“I want Tottenham to win definitely, on Saturday and the league,” he said. “They’re the stronger team, especially at the minute. I can’t see Arsenal winning, although you’d like to think there’s a response there from the defeat at Old Trafford and to Swansea.
“But Tottenham are on a roll and playing so well.”
Bentley started his career on the red side of North London but after progressing through the club’s ranks, he was unable to force his way into the reckoning under Arsene Wenger.
He would eventually end up across the capital at Tottenham after reigniting his career at Blackburn Rovers.
One of his finest moments came in the North London derby, when he scored a stunning volley from long-range in a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium back in 2008.
“Arsenal should have run away with the league this year,” he continued.
“The way they started, pre-Christmas they were really strong and they looked strong and talented and had the most talented players and the same thing keeps happening.
“It’s a shame really. It was the perfect opportunity to run away with the league this year. A missed opportunity if they don’t. I don’t want them to win it.
“I feel if they don’t win it this year then Arsene [Wenger] will find it difficult to make a case for himself to stay on. The league has been the weakest it’s been for some time but they’re still missing something.
“It’s a difficult one to call, I really can’t call it because it doesn’t make any sense does it?
“How does it make sense Leicester are top of the league and Tottenham are second? It hasn’t happened before. Hopefully Tottenham win it, all my mates are buzzing.”
David Bentley was in Dublin promoting live coverage of his former clubs’ crucial Barclays Premier League clash on the Setanta Sports Pack this Saturday at 12.45pm. It’s a Super Saturday of sport on the pack with UFC 196 McGregor V Diaz also exclusively live and three games in the Allianz Leagues also featuring. To subscribe go to www.setanta.com.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
The Ukrainians looked shattered out there, they were playing on pure adrenaline and national pride a few months back but the ongoing war is definitely taking its toll on them now as this group goes on.
fair play for them booing that ridiculous minutes silence, reaffirmed my affinity for the Scottish national side. Made easy when there are so few currant buns in the support.
On a serious note, our midfield has a problem on its hands with McGinn if plays like that
@Sam Murray: No match for Jay Molumby the Waterford tank
@Sam Murray: Fouled the defender for the first goal me thinks,penalty if it was in the other box?
Impressive??????? Bit strong. Ukraine got tired would b more accurate I think. I would have thought for 70 mins they were far from impressive. Gave away plenty off ball, sloppy passing and terrible In front of goal for 70 mins until Ukraine just tanked. Hardly impressive.