Harry Redknapp believes David Bentley is back to his best and ready to win over his critics.
Spurs boss delighted with winger's response to criticism
Harry Redknapp believes David Bentley is back to his best and ready to win over his critics.
The England international has endured a difficult time at White Hart Lane following his big-money move from Blackburn over the summer.
He has struggled to produce his best form and has come under criticism from his boss for displaying a lack of commitment.
However, with Redknapp having spelt out to the 24-year-old what he is expecting from him, Bentley has begun to look more like his old self of late.
"Maybe he thought 'because I'm coming to Tottenham, I have to be a bit more entertaining'," said Redknapp.
"The work ethic suffered a bit with him; he wasn't working as hard as he had in the past. But now I think he'll get back to that - and with the great skill he has got, I'm hoping we'll see the best of David.
"I told him what I thought of him and his performances - what he can do and what he was doing.
"He took it well. He took it on board and said 'fine, I'll accept that'. He's trained really hard, closed people down and won tackles. He's back to what we saw at Blackburn."
Aggression
Meanwhile, Redknapp is hoping to add a steely resolve to his Spurs outfit, with his pursuit of Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios driven by that desire.
It is also why he was so keen on former West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, although the Welshman ultimately opted to join Manchester City.
"Let's be honest, when I mentioned Craig Bellamy to the chairman he thought 'surely not'," Redknapp reports.
"But Mark Hughes has had him at City - and he's not a fool. He knows what he can give you.
"I just think we need to improve the squad, that's why I wanted Palacios, because I think he will come in here and get after it - and he will play aggressively."
