It was great to see David Bentley get another chance in an England shirt, yesterday. In both Bentley and Shaun Wright-Phillips, England have selected the best two right-sided attacking midfielders available, on current form.
But when Bentley was introduced towards the end of the game a large section of the crowd let him know exactly what they thought of him. Presumably, the boo’s were for his last minute decision not to travel with the England Under 21 squad in the summer with a lame excuse of exhortion. For this I agree.
Bentley is a fantastic player and hopefully will learn from this experience in the same way David Beckham had to after his infamous sending off against Argentina that played a part (however small) in England not wininng a tournament. Likewise, David Bentley was an integral member of the England Under 21 first eleven, and so can rightfully be blamed by England fans who pay good money to see a very fortunate group of overpaid individuals kick a ball around a field!
What I would like to happen next is for Bentley to be appear to rise above the fair criticism that has been voiced in the only way possible by England fans and turn in a solid performance or two. Bentley needs to show those fans he does want to play for England, and get rid of the prima donna status that some England fans have now given him.
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