Post by QPR Report on Mar 4, 2009 8:07:28 GMT
That's the British way 
Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson - Darren Bent: Tottenham didn't practise penalties for Carling Cup final
While Manchester United's diligent planning for a possible penalty shoot-out extended to preparing iPod footage of the likely Tottenham participants, Darren Bent has disclosed that his Spurs team-mates did not consider it worth practising their spot kicks.
Tottenham were duly dreadful in the shoot-out that decided Sunday's Carling Cup final, with Jamie O'Hara's effort saved and David Bentley firing wide, meaning Bent, who was due to take the fifth penalty, was not involved.
However, Bent's admission is particularly interesting given Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's past association at Southampton with World Cup-winning rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward.
During his time as Saints' technical support director, Woodward urged footballers to regularly practise penalty-taking in the belief that the smallest details could represent the difference between winning and losing.
That certainly appeared to be the case on Sunday, when Ben Foster looked at an iPod video of O'Hara taking a previous penalty just seconds before making what proved to be the pivotal save.
Redknapp's post-match attitude was that penalties are a "lottery" and his view was apparently shared in the Spurs dressing room.
"We thought there is no point in practising penalties because you can hit the same spot 10 times out of 10 and, if the keeper can save it, you can't really do anything," said Bent. "They [O'Hara and Bentley] are two fantastic players and sometimes even the best miss penalties."
Ironically, the one Tottenham player who is understood to have specifically practised his penalties was Bentley.
"Bents stays out on the training pitch quite a lot," added Bent. Bentley's penalty, which went wide of Foster's right-hand post, seemed to sum up a season that has seen him lose his place in the England squad and struggle to command a regular position in the starting line-up for Tottenham.
Redknapp previously admitted that he had spoken specifically to Bentley about his work-rate, while midfielder Didier Zokora made a pointed observation as he left Wembley on Sunday.
"David Bentley needs the confidence of the manager," said Zokora. "When the player has confidence, he wants to play 100 per cent. He can come back quickly. He is a strong personality and he brings a great atmosphere to the dressing room."
There was also much sympathy within the Tottenham dressing room for O'Hara, who had left Wembley in tears after missing the Carling Cup final last year and was again a dejected figure on Sunday.
"Football can be very cruel," said Spurs team-mate Jermaine Jenas. "The lads have decided to stand up and take a penalty. That takes a lot of courage."
One big positive from Sunday was the performance of Ledley King, though the club captain is out of contract at the end of next season and, after suffering persistent knee problems, there is surely a question mark over whether Spurs will extend that deal. At present, no talks have been held. "I have got 18 months left," said King. "I'm just playing this season out and playing as many games as I can. That will take care of itself – I'm not worried."
Of more immediate concern is the impact that Spurs' injury list could have on Redknapp's team selection for Middlesbrough on Wednesday night. "Last year we won the Carling Cup and our league form dipped dramatically, we know if we do that this season we will be in serious trouble," said Bent.
Jonathan Woodgate missed the Carling Cup final with an Achilles injury while Michael Dawson suffered from cramp but is likely to have recovered.
Carlo Cudicini could also return in goal, although Heurelho Gomes put in a solid display against United and believes that he has performed consistently in recent games. "I don't make mistakes like three months ago," said Gomes.
Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson - Darren Bent: Tottenham didn't practise penalties for Carling Cup final
While Manchester United's diligent planning for a possible penalty shoot-out extended to preparing iPod footage of the likely Tottenham participants, Darren Bent has disclosed that his Spurs team-mates did not consider it worth practising their spot kicks.
Tottenham were duly dreadful in the shoot-out that decided Sunday's Carling Cup final, with Jamie O'Hara's effort saved and David Bentley firing wide, meaning Bent, who was due to take the fifth penalty, was not involved.
However, Bent's admission is particularly interesting given Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's past association at Southampton with World Cup-winning rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward.
During his time as Saints' technical support director, Woodward urged footballers to regularly practise penalty-taking in the belief that the smallest details could represent the difference between winning and losing.
That certainly appeared to be the case on Sunday, when Ben Foster looked at an iPod video of O'Hara taking a previous penalty just seconds before making what proved to be the pivotal save.
Redknapp's post-match attitude was that penalties are a "lottery" and his view was apparently shared in the Spurs dressing room.
"We thought there is no point in practising penalties because you can hit the same spot 10 times out of 10 and, if the keeper can save it, you can't really do anything," said Bent. "They [O'Hara and Bentley] are two fantastic players and sometimes even the best miss penalties."
Ironically, the one Tottenham player who is understood to have specifically practised his penalties was Bentley.
"Bents stays out on the training pitch quite a lot," added Bent. Bentley's penalty, which went wide of Foster's right-hand post, seemed to sum up a season that has seen him lose his place in the England squad and struggle to command a regular position in the starting line-up for Tottenham.
Redknapp previously admitted that he had spoken specifically to Bentley about his work-rate, while midfielder Didier Zokora made a pointed observation as he left Wembley on Sunday.
"David Bentley needs the confidence of the manager," said Zokora. "When the player has confidence, he wants to play 100 per cent. He can come back quickly. He is a strong personality and he brings a great atmosphere to the dressing room."
There was also much sympathy within the Tottenham dressing room for O'Hara, who had left Wembley in tears after missing the Carling Cup final last year and was again a dejected figure on Sunday.
"Football can be very cruel," said Spurs team-mate Jermaine Jenas. "The lads have decided to stand up and take a penalty. That takes a lot of courage."
One big positive from Sunday was the performance of Ledley King, though the club captain is out of contract at the end of next season and, after suffering persistent knee problems, there is surely a question mark over whether Spurs will extend that deal. At present, no talks have been held. "I have got 18 months left," said King. "I'm just playing this season out and playing as many games as I can. That will take care of itself – I'm not worried."
Of more immediate concern is the impact that Spurs' injury list could have on Redknapp's team selection for Middlesbrough on Wednesday night. "Last year we won the Carling Cup and our league form dipped dramatically, we know if we do that this season we will be in serious trouble," said Bent.
Jonathan Woodgate missed the Carling Cup final with an Achilles injury while Michael Dawson suffered from cramp but is likely to have recovered.
Carlo Cudicini could also return in goal, although Heurelho Gomes put in a solid display against United and believes that he has performed consistently in recent games. "I don't make mistakes like three months ago," said Gomes.