Bentley's "Stormer" for England

Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley made a superb start to his senior England career with a fine display against Albania. Bents4eng shares his thoughts on England and Bentley's display.

Another night of disappointment for England fans across the country... (no wait we won... abandons pre-written intro about how England ALWAYS fail to perform and play unattractive and dull football).

Bentley's first senior England cap and what a stormer it was!

Yesterday big Mac talked about the need for experience in the England set-up if we are to qualify for the Euro 2008... However, on the evidence of the last few years it is youth and excitement that England needs to bring back to the squad. Thus far, McClaren's experiments have been limited.

Micah Richard's received a call-up for a bit and looked very good before being dropped again for the aging Gary Neville; Nugent was given a brief run-out where he managed to literally rob Defoe to score on his first-team debut; and Lennon has been repeatedly chucked in on the left-wing (despite his complete lack of a left-foot... but then again, he can't cross from the right either so little difference). A few other players have played a game before being booted out (the likes of Stuart "Damn-average" Downing, SWP (Surely Won't Play) and Joey "Bash-his-face-in" Barton). Indeed, big Steve's team has remained exactly the same as Big Sven's bar the (possibly ill-advised) dropping of Beckham, which he is now having second thoughts about.

However, Bentley's performance tonight was sublime. Although he started slowly... taking a while to find his place in an unfamiliar team, once he got going he was stunning. Against a surprisingly strong Albanian team bents showed his stunning ability to make the perfect cross time after time.

Furthermore, it would seem that McClaren recognised Bentley's effort and his substitution on 70 minutes suggests, not that he wanted to see someone else... but that he had seen enough and dare I tempt fate, that he wanted to save his energy for the upcoming friendly with Brazil!!?!

The only player that made a case for their inclusion in the squad proper included, surprisingly Stuart Downing who scored two well-taken goals, the second of which was especially fine… delightfully chipped over the goalkeeper (pro evo style!)

All in all it was an excellent game to watch and again made me proud to support Rovers, with the sky commentators heaping the praise on bents throughout the game!

Except to see an A team start very soon.... watch this space!

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN AND SUBMITED BY BENTS4ENG.


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