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Bentley Gives His Side of the Story

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After some heavy criticism following his withdrawal from the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships David Bentley gives his side of the story.

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Bentley has come in for a fair bit of criticism for his decision to withdraw from the England squad going to Holland for the Under-21 European Championships (and my own personal opinion has ebbed and swayed!) but he has explained to TalkSport why, he said:

I think it is for the betterment of my career.

“I owe a lot to the Blackburn fans too and they are paying the money to watch me week-in and week-out.

“He (Stuart Pearce) was disappointed as a manager should be and I fully accept that it was a controversial decision.

“I love playing for England, I love my country every time I step out on the pitch I give my all for anyone I play for.

“If you look at my under-21s career I have never not given my all for it.

“I had three decisions; the club could have pulled me out, I could have pulled myself out or I could have faked an injury.

“I am an honest lad, I’m not a robot and I wanted to give my decision and my opinion on it
.”

Credit has to be given to Bents for being HONEST with his decision, he could have easily faked an injury (which may have looked suspect) but honesty is the best policy, even though this may not be the case here? But only time will tell.

Bents has also admitted that he sought advice on the matter from senior players when he was with England last week, and added:

I’ve never come off a 60-game season and then gone straight into another one, I was alien to it.

“It wasn’t a rash decision, I asked senior players at England ‘what do you feel like come October or November?’.

“They said ‘you hit a brick wall’. They also said ‘if you want to be firing and you want to make a push for the European Championships next year then I really think you have got to think long and hard’
.”

You would think these senior members (that have advised him here) would know best wouldn’t they although McClaren had recommended Bents SHOULD play at the Championships, Bents also said:

I look up to him and I have great respect for him but I have to listen to what my body is telling me.”


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