Sam Allardyce has heard David Bentley describe how a knee injury ruined his loan spell at West Ham United. Bentley, speaking opposite Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, opened up on how the injury sparked the beginning of the end for his career.
Bentley’s ‘Gutted’ Reaction to West Ham Injury
Bentley said he was “absolutely gutted” by the injury, which curtailed his time at Upton Park. He arrived on loan during the final day of the 2011 summer transfer window. Bentley remains the last player to join the Hammers from Tottenham.
Bentley recalled enjoying his time at West Ham, praising the players and coaching staff. He particularly mentioned Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan’s influence in the dressing room. According to Bentley, Allardyce gave him freedom going into games.
However, his spell was short-lived, lasting only eight weeks. Bentley admitted he played the last two games injured, concealing a chondral defect and significant swelling in his knee.
The Injury’s Impact on Bentley’s Career
Bentley revealed the extent to which the injury affected him. “You’re on that emotional roller coaster as a footballer and you find a place where you – [due to] the fans, the football club, everything and the people in and around it – fit. I thought, ‘I’m loving this. I’ve found my home’”.
He kept the injury secret from the physios, icing his knee at home. Bentley felt he wasn’t as good in those final two games and ultimately had to admit the knee was gone. A year out made the injury worse, and seeing West Ham get promoted was tough for Bentley, making him think his career was over.
Bentley worked hard for five months to return, but his knee was never the same. His fifth and final appearance for the Hammers came in October 2011.
Allardyce Hears of a Bitter-Sweet Memory
Bentley’s last appearance for West Ham was in October 2011, before retiring at the age of 29 three years later. He hit double figures for assists in successive Premier League campaigns in 2006 and 2007. He made only five Championship appearances during West Ham United’s promotion campaign under Sam Allardyce.
By the time Ricardo Vaz Te secured promotion at Wembley, Bentley’s time at West Ham was over. While David Bentley did play a part in West Ham United’s promotion back to the Premier League under Sam Allardyce in 2012, that Wembley victory over Blackpool left the former England international with a bittersweet taste.
Bentley still wonders how differently things would have gone for him at Upton Park if not for the knee injury.
Allardyce will see two former clubs go head to head.