Canaries get Bentley on loan - TalkSoccer

**kennethlindheim** · 03-06-2004, 11:25 AM

Nigel Worthington believes the capture of Arsenal prodigy David Bentley shows the rest of the Barclays' Premiership that Norwich mean business.

The England Under-21 international moved to Carrow Road on a season-long loan deal on Thursday as Arsene Wenger looked to give the attacking midfielder some valuable first-team experience he would be unlikely to get at Highbury.

And Worthington believes the 19-year-old, who was attracting interest from several clubs, could prove crucial in Norwich's bid to avoid a swift return to the Football League.

"Hopefully, this will send out a little message to one or two clubs that have been in the Premiership for a while now that Norwich City can compete with them - particularly if we sell ourselves in the right way," reflected the Ulsterman.

"That we are a nice, family club that looks after players."

The Peterborough-born starlet made a handful of appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring a superb first senior goal against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup during January.

He becomes Norwich's second signing in the space of two days after Scotland goalkeeper Paul Gallacher joined the First Division champions yesterday from Dundee United on a free transfer.

Worthington had been tracking Bentley for some time and was delighted to have finally got his man.

"It's excellent news," he told the Norwich Evening News.

"It's nice to get such a player from such a massive club. He is in the Bergkamp-mould, but he's flexible.

"He can play wide out on the right, wide out on the left and behind the front two.

"To have that kind of flexibility in what's going to be not the biggest of squads will be very, very useful."

Worthington was impressed with Bentley's attitude towards furthering his career.

"For such a young man, he's very, very mature," added the Norwich boss.

"He just comes across as a lovely boy. He's confident, well-mannered, hungry to win, hungry for the ball.

"He just wants the ball at his feet and as a manager that's lovely to hear."

Arsenal boss Wenger believes Bentley has the potential to become a regular at Highbury, but feels he would benefit from an extended run of first-team football.

"I will either give him a chance or put him on loan somewhere to play," revealed the Frenchman earlier this year.

"He is the closest now and he is losing time somewhat in reserve-team football.

"I can tell you he is a top, top player technically. He is also a winner-type and needs to play in the first team now.

"It is a critical time for him and I know there is some frustration within him because he has not had too many chances here. Between the ages of 18 and 21 I find players the most difficult to manage.

"Do you get him out on loan or put him in the squad? Do you put him in the first team straight way? It is very difficult."

**Huckerbys right foot** · 03-06-2004, 03:07 PM

a great signing!

Svensson + Bentley with Huckerby just behind them ...what a strikeforce!

i think we could be staying up!

mr.watford · 03-06-2004, 05:16 PM

svensson and svensson

they havent cloned him have they? if they have cant see norwich standing a chance of staying up

svensson is pretty shite tbh

**Huckerbys right foot** · 03-06-2004, 05:20 PM

haha gd point *edits*

Norwich will be doing well

Svensson aint shite ... still we beat u

mr.watford · 03-06-2004, 05:21 PM

and we beat you

youd be better off playing mckenzie and huckerby with bentley behind the front two

**Huckerbys right foot** · 03-06-2004, 05:23 PM

yes you beat us but who are Premier league @ the end of the day??

nah McKenzie will be a benched player next season ..we need Svensson for headers!

mr.watford · 03-06-2004, 05:27 PM

mckenzie is far better than svensson imo. svensson was pretty cack vs us while mckenzie was your third best player (after supertramp and francis)

The Rule · 04-06-2004, 10:33 AM

McKenzie is IMo far better than Svensson, and HRF, if anyone will be behind the front two, it'll be Bentley.

04-06-2004, 11:16 AM

mckenzie is a quality player, svensson is good , but norwich have way better...IMO norwich are staying up, bentley and huckerby to knock in the goals for them

alexgreg96 · 04-06-2004, 03:47 PM

personally reckon mackenzie is going to turn into a goal machine
bentley will be played wide
Huckerby the free role
Svenny centre forward probably taking it in turns with mackenzie depending on the opposition

TWA · 04-06-2004, 04:08 PM

Bentley should be a great loanee for you.

The Rule · 08-06-2004, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alexgreg96
personally reckon mackenzie is going to turn into a goal machine
bentley will be played wide
Huckerby the free role
Svenny centre forward probably taking it in turns with mackenzie depending on the opposition

Bentley would be wasted in a wide role.

**Huckerbys right foot** · 08-06-2004, 03:53 PM

Bentley can play wide right or wide left anyway

The Rule · 08-06-2004, 04:51 PM

Just because he CAN play there doesn't mean he's any good there. Phil Neville CAN play in about 5 positions, is he any good in any of them?

**Huckerbys right foot** · 08-06-2004, 05:17 PM

still we can only wait and see if Bentley can play on wide

Huckerby will be on the left behind strikers

our right midfield is known to be weak so i think Bentley would be put there

our strikers will be Svensson/ Huckerby

or Svensson/ McKenzie/ Huckerby