Should McLaren consider Bentley for the next England squad?

[Lokki 7]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6949122.stm

After Bentley pulled out of the U-21 team this summer because the poor lamb was a bit tired, leaving England a man short in the tournament, do you think he should be considered for the next full England squad? I have always considered McClaren to be a poor and spineless manager, but if he does include Bentley I'd actually like to punch him in the FACE for devaluing even further the status of the England team. Even considering to pick Bentley is a disgrace. If Roy Keane was England manager what do you think he would say?
Do you agree or am I being unreasonable?

 

[Trigger]

No, it's just another reason why McClaren is a COCKEND, trying to pick players that don't want to play for their country.

 

[Simster]

No, it's just another reason why McClaren is a COCKEND, trying to pick players that don't want to play for their country.

I think you'll find he a *COMPLETE* cock, and not just the end of one. The ruddy faced prick.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Spot on Lokki.

 

[jonny.rainbow]

If Roy Keane was England manager what do you think he would say?
Do you agree or am I being unreasonable?

Is that the Roy Keane who walked out on his national team on the eve of the 2002 World Cup finals because he didn't like the hotel, training facilities and diet regime the FAI had chosen?


"Good on you David, tell'em to stick it up their bollocks" probably.

 

[Lokki 7]

Is that the Roy Keane who walked out on his national team on the eve of the 2002 World Cup finals because he didn't like the hotel, training facilities and diet regime the FAI had chosen?


"Good on you David, tell'em to stick it up their bollocks" probably.

Fair point. At the time I thought Keane was being a cock. But as more information has come out over time I think he was pretty brave to stand up for what he belived was ruining his country's chances. He would never have expected to be picked for the next game either. I think he did what he did out of passion for his country, the FAI are not his country. I have no loyalty to the FA who are a bunch of overpaid, self-important knobjockeys, only the England shirt and what it stands for (or use to stand for anyway).

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Hmmm. Tricky one. I think the system has to be able to deal with exceptional circumstances. McLaren should know from Blackburn and England medical staff whether Bentley was telling the truth - or was swinging the lead. If he was knacked - then what good is he in the tournament ?

Tough management decision - so expect McLaren to get it wrong.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

yes. end of

 

[Pavilionaire]

Until Bentley is delivering crosses like Beckham or skinning defenders like Lennon he doesn't deserve to start - from what I've seen he's average.

Remember, Wenger let him go and Wenger rarely misjudges a player.

 

[Simster]

Tough management decision - so expect McLaren to get it wrong.

Another correct answer.

 

[Silent Bob]

Until Bentley is delivering crosses like Beckham or skinning defenders like Lennon he doesn't deserve to start - from what I've seen he's average.

Remember, Wenger let him go and Wenger rarely misjudges a player.

Wenger had Pires and Ljunberg at the peak of their powers though, he's get in the Arsenal team now. He's a very good player.

tbh I was annoyed about the U21 thing at the time, I don't really care anymore though.

Besides if we're talking about commitment and attitude, what kind did Beckham show when he went to the MLS rather than join a top European club?

 

[keaton]

I don't see any reason to include him, you have to question his attitutue and desire and also Beckham's mostly fit and SWP has made a very good start to the season

 

[keaton]

Besides if we're talking about commitment and attitude, what kind did Beckham show when he went to the MLS rather than join a top European club?

how's that uncommitted to England? what other clubs made a bid for him? He made a decision to not sit on the bench or be a squad reserve and instead join another team much less glamourous team so he could play, isn't that a pretty decent attitude?

 

[Silent Bob]

how's that uncommitted to England? what other clubs made a bid for him? He made a decision to not sit on the bench or be a squad reserve and instead join another team much less glamourous team so he could play, isn't that a pretty decent attitude?

Both Milan clubs, Lyon, Newcastle, also Real wanted to keep him when he actually got back to form but by then he had already signed for LA Galaxy.
If he wanted regular football he could have signed for almost any club in any league in Europe, do you really think that's why he went to Galaxy?

 

[keaton]

He took the one offer that was given to him. and after he accepted that offer he didn't go back on it because teams who had no faith in him suddenly started showing interest

 

[Pavilionaire]

You can't blame Beckham for going to the Galaxy, it was a bloody good deal all round and Beckham was right to assume his England career was over after the RFP shamelessly dropped him for 1 year.

I don't believe Wenger rated Bentley that highly - Llungberg has been shit for 3 years now so Bentley would have played a few matches if he had been any good.

 

[Simon Morgan]

Bentley's not bad, but he is over-rated IMO. This, coupled with the fact he was 'too tired' to play for the u-21s should significantly hamper his chances of getting in the full squad. The amount of interviews on SSN last season with exclusive interviews with Bentley proclaiming how he should be in the England squad was unbelievable. Then he goes and shits on the u-21s chances, just like that

 

[Silent Bob]

He took the one offer that was given to him. and after he accepted that offer he didn't go back on it because teams who had no faith in him suddenly started showing interest

It wasn't the only offer that was given to him - it was only Real who did that although I'd say they were well within their rights to wait before giving a new contract to a player who wasn't performing. It was only when he was dropped by McClaren and Cappello that he got back to form, but Madrid only dropped him completely because he had signed for LA Galaxy.

 

[the right footed denilson]

I'm pretty sure he left Arsenal because HE wanted first team football- he certainly wasn't forced out.

He should play because he is one of the best players in the country. Simple.

 

[Tooting Gull]

My take is that this is slightly trickier than it appears at first glance - and it wasn't helped by Pearce's over-the-top reaction (same as he did for Agbonlahor). Didn't exactly help a behind-the-scenes agreement, and yet another reason why he may not make a top manager.

Bentley genuinely believed he needed a break, the key word here being genuinely, to press his claims for a full England place this season. Now you can debate the merits or otherwise of him snubbing the U-21s all week, but it needed some diplomacy, not Pearce's bull-in-a-china-shop approach.

On the separate point of his claims, I think Bentley is the real deal and deserves a chance. As Pavilionaire says, Wenger hardly ever gets it wrong releasing players but sometimes the circumstances overtake him.

Wenger rated Sidwell very highly and actually offered him a new deal at Arsenal, far from releasing him - but Sidwell chose to go elsewhere as he wanted first-team football, laudably in my opinion. Now he's back with a big club, and I don't think Wenger is remotely surprised.