Bentley Forgets The Jeers

Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley has said that he wants to forget about the jeers he has previously received from England fans. He just wants to get on with things, and hopes to make his first start on Wednesday.

Bentley has NEVER regretted his decision to pull out of the England squad for last summers European Under-21 Championships with England, but this decision (viewed as a snub on England) had seen many England fans boo him when he made his England debut, and he was also booed in his second substitute appearance. However, Bents still doesn't regret his decision, he just wants to move on from it as NOTHING can be done to change this now anyway, so although he would prefer not to be booed it doesn't bother him to much, but it must be time to let it go.

Bentley told the Daily Mirror: "Look, you can get wound up by that stuff and let it kill you, or you can decide you're not going to take yourself too seriously.

"I know people want me to be repentant about what happened when I pulled out of the Under 21s, but the fact is, it happened, and I can't do anything about it now. I got booed, and again I can't change that.

"If I'm honest, I'm none too bothered. I know that's not the politically correct answer, but my philosophy is simple; why beat myself up about things I can't change? Why take myself so seriously?

"It's all about performances on the pitch. I want to show I can talk the talk and walk the walk."

Bents has always challenged himself during his career, and now that he is in the England squad (and has been regularly recently) he wants to become a regular starter (and he feels that he can) but he's not getting carried away.

He added: "The challenge for me is to get into the team and stay there. I've got to prove myself on the international stage to a degree so I'm not going to get too carried away.

"But there's no point in going on England duty, joining up and being with the squad unless you believe in yourself.

"This is the path I've chosen, to be a professional footballer, and I want to succeed and reach the highest level.

"Playing for your country is the pinnacle of any player's career."

I could be VERY wrong but I think that Bents WILL make his first start for England on Wednesday.


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