Sideways Sammy

Adding an experienced goalkeeper to the first-team ranks who could challenge Carl Rushworth for a starting place felt like a necessary move this summer. With Oliver Dovin still on the recovery from a long-term injury and Ben Wilson seemingly below Premier League standard, former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Daniel Bentley, comes in at Coventry City as the deputy in goal. With over 400 professional starts under his belt, Bentley offers a supreme amount of experience, albeit with a minimal amount of those starts happening in the Premier League.

About 5-10 years ago, Daniel Bentley had a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers outside the top-flight. An commanding presence with excellent reflexes between the sticks, for both Brentford and Bristol City, Bentley was the kind of goalkeeper who consistently won points for his team. Having probably stayed at Bristol City a few years too long, Bentley seemed to plateau and drop off a little as a goalkeeper, before leaving to be effectively be third-choice at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League – playing a little more than he would have expected.

In an ideal world, Daniel Bentley will play almost no football for Coventry City outside of cup games, however, football can throw up strange situations where non first-choice players suddenly rise to prominence. It will be Bentley’s job to maintain a positive attitude in training, create some pressure on Carl Rushworth’s place but be largely content if he goes a whole season without featuring in a league match. It’s a role he’s comfortable with, the concern is whether he is a top-flight quality goalkeeper should the worst happen to Rushworth and he’s cal