Ex-Blackburn Rovers man Warnock on Bentley and Allardyce

The pair played alongside each other at Ewood Park for 18 months before Bentley was snapped up by Tottenham for a hefty fee in the summer of 2008.

The winger was a fan favourite in East Lancashire, scoring 20 goals in 133 appearances during his first spell at the club, including a memorable hat trick against Manchester United.

He failed to make his mark at Spurs and went on to have loan spells Birmingham, West Ham and Russian side Rostov before returning to Rovers in 2013.

Warnock, who was signed by Mark Hughes in 2007, recalled being instantly impressed by Bentley’s ability.

During an appearance on Under the Cosh Podcast, he said: "I remember thinking, ‘This kid is unbelievable, he'll play for England for years’.

“He was that good, he could beat people individually and cross a ball like I have never seen.

“Only three people I have seen who can cross like that with that precision - Bentley, David Beckham and Jermaine Pennant - three of the best crossers I have seen. The quality (Bentley) had was phenomenal.

"He could score goals, he changed the game in a heartbeat for you. He was one of the most naturally gifted players I have seen. 

“He was brilliant around the place as well. It was like he'd had five cans of Red Bull in the car before he came in, he would be bouncing everywhere.”

Warnock says Bentley also had a big impact off the pitch and revealed how the winger would lift the dressing room when results hadn’t gone their way.

"The atmosphere with him in the changing room was phenomenal, it was Bentley and Tugay,” the defender continued.

Warnock in action at Ewood Park (Image: PA)

“He would say, ‘Why are you moaning?’ if we had lost. He said you had to be positive, you can't change anything.

"His attitude was completely different. Whereas we'd think you had to sulk around the place, he was the opposite.

"We had an unbelievable team, we finished sixth in the Premier League. You forget how good that team was - nobody wanted to play against us because we were horrible, we could play as well."

Warnock also shared fond memories of his time working under Allardyce and how he would make sure everyone was smiling when the pressure was high on the pitch.

Jason Roberts got some stick for his choice of footwear on one occasion, but the boss was also happy to be the butt of the joke.

"His humour was amazing, he was so good around the place,” Warnock smiled. “I think you'd struggle to find five players who have worked with him and hate him.

"Everyone I speak to, they loved him. It's mad, they all enjoyed working with him. When you go through reception, there's a microphone and you can ping it around the whole building.

"He used to sit there with it and start slagging off the lads’ clothing. Jason Roberts would walk in with a jacket and Ugg boots on and he'd be hammering them!

"I remember sitting in my house, watching a Hull game and Rovers were playing them. Sam and Karl Robinson popped up on the screen. I messaged Karl saying 'look at the size of the gaffer's head'.

"Next thing I know, the phone is ringing and he's shouting down the phone at me. I knew it was fine but he comes in during the next day, gets us in a huddle to explain the training drill.

"He says this is what we'll do. Then he goes 'I was at Hull last night and this ******** was slagging me off about how big my head is'. That was his personality and the way he approached everything was brilliant.”

The defender went on to have spells with Aston Villa, Bolton, Leeds, Derby, Wigan, Burton and Bradford after leaving Rovers.

Warnock is still involved in the game, often working as a pundit for various radio and television channels.

"(Allardyce) changed the way we thought about the game and how he'd play,” he continued. “He said, 'Don't mess around in our third’.

“Middle third, you've got some license but too much and you will hear me. Top end, do what you want'. He broke it down and we thought it would be brilliant, our first meeting.

“We played Man City at home, they had just signed Robinho and they were the new Galacticos. We walked out thinking we’d beat them, we went into so many games thinking we would win."