[Marc]

David Bentley has withdrawn himself from the England Squad for the Under 21 Championships due to fatigue, leaving the squad a man short, which has not sat well with Boss Stuart Pearce!

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...s+Pearce+crazy

I have to say I think Bentley has shot himself in the foot here, and i don't think he'll ever represent England at any level ever again as turning down your national team is about the biggest dishonour possible.

I wonder if it was really his own decision or if his manager Mark Hughes pressured him into it, but either way it's a real shame that he's possibly ruined his career so early..

[Kazman]

I don't think it will harm him for the senior squad personally.

The U21's isn't seen as important to the Premiership establishment, it's more important for many of them to keep their youngsters as fresh as possible.

I think it is why Agbonlahor went AWOL too. Bentley has also assured himself of a senior squad placement as well, and it is highly likely that he will be in the squad for the senior tourney next year. Two long seasons with the amount of games he has played is going to be a bit too much and burn out is likely. Well, it is according to his manager anyway. Personally, I think they should be able to handle it much easier now than later. In fact, perhaps we wrap our youngsters up in too much cotton wool and is why we see so much burnout in the senior players

It will be interesting to see what happens, but I think this is just an indication where the majority of prem managers see the U21's in the grand scheme of things.

[overkill]

This is one of the (numerous) things that annoys me about modern football. Club vs Country has always been a controversial issue, but now it's getting silly. Bentley has played no more, and in all probability, a lot less than a lot of the other squad members, so why's he so special?

Or is this a new depth in the mercenary nature of the modern game? Is Bentley saying 'my international career is over, who cares?' Primarily because he wants to 'focus' on his club career - and the huge earnings therein?

I'm sorry, but this 'I'm tired', 'the players are jaded bit', is wearing very thin in an age when the 42 match ever-present, with anything up to 18 (with replays remember!) domestic cup matches on top, plus possibly Euro games is long gone. In the age of the 28 player squad they very rarely top the 36+ domestic mark, most players play about 26 matches a season, and all the top managers rotate in Europe.

Besides, if a player really can't manage 180 minutes of football a week, with a bit of training on top, I would humbly suggest a change of job. Or perhaps something really tiring? Coal mining, or timber felling, or even God forbid playing professional tennis for several hours, day in day out!

If he's blown his England career, then no-one will care. The sad thing is, you have to suspect, him least of all.............

[KevD]

Dont think he has harmed his chances long term, although I have no desire to see him in the squad now. He could have at least said this before England have to go into the tournament a man light.

He has played 50 games this season, but if you want to play at the top level you will have to be playing 50-60 games a season.
Maybe someone should tell Steven Gerrard he should be tired, dont think he has had a rest in 3/4 years what with 50 games a season then International tournaments taking him right into CL qualifying.

[Steven]

Firstly, I think I know who overkill is on the 606 boards now - or copies and pastes from

Secondly, modern footballers do not know what "tired" is. They earn in two weeks what most people earn in a year and the good people of the NHS work longer hours for a relative pittance. I've had been hospitalised twice in my life and it is very humbling

Thirdly, even if he was tired (though Blackburn could well play more games - some seniors in the England squad play 60+), why withdraw now? Why not when the squad was announced and Pearce could replace his sorry, selfish, ungrateful arse?

I can see why some will defend him but I would not be surprised to see him booed at Premeirship grounds next season, though luckily for him not to the extent Becks or ROnaldo were (and I doubt it would have the same galvanising effect, even if he has some ability)

[overkill]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Firstly, I think I know who overkill is on the 606 boards now - or copies and pastes from

Secondly, modern footballers do not know what "tired" is. They earn in two weeks what most people earn in a year and the good people of the NHS work longer hours for a relative pittance. I've had been hospitalised twice in my life and it is very humbling

Thirdly, even if he was tired (though Blackburn could well play more games - some seniors in the England squad play 60+), why withdraw now? Why not when the squad was announced and Pearce could replace his sorry, selfish, ungrateful arse?

I can see why some will defend him but I would not be surprised to see him booed at Premeirship grounds next season, though luckily for him not to the extent Becks or ROnaldo were (and I doubt it would have the same galvanising effect, even if he has some ability)

Now I wonder..........could it be me? Nah!: Oh hell, it is! If you check, you'll find, like the sad lazy fart that I am, I use the same moniker on all the numerous forums I post on!

Exactly LFC. I get sick and tired of hearing players, managers, pundits, overweight PFA officals, and misguided fans whining about how 'tired' players are and how thats the reason England are so poor. Oh, for Gods sa........

Give me 180 minutes of work a week, for seven months of the year, with the odd bit of training if I feel up to it, at £50,000 +, and believe me, you would not see me sniveling like a premiership footballer.

Bloody overpaid jessies.........

[RMCF]

Thing to remember about training during the season is that its not that hard.

The main work is done pre-season and thats where you establish your core fitness for the entire season.

You then train a lot lighter throughout the season if you are a regular, as the matches, maybe 2 a week, keep your fitness up.

You often hear pundits refer to a poor pre-season as an excuse when some teams tire late in the season.

Getting back on topic, there is no excuse imho for what Bentley has done.

[johnscarlet]

Someone should have mentioned Chris Sutton to him . What an outstanding International career he has had .
If he is too tired for the U21s this year , then he will be too tired for the Euros next , surely ?

What was it Rooney said , "I'm only a lad , I'd play every day if they'd let me" maybe SP should draaft him in

[thfccambs]

Did anyone else hear Bentley call in to talksport on saturday morning?

[overkill]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Did anyone else hear Bentley call in to talksport on saturday morning?

Yup.

[Steven]

Originally Posted by overkill

Now I wonder..........could it be me? Nah!: Oh hell, it is! If you check, you'll find, like the sad lazy fart that I am, I use the same moniker on all the numerous forums I post on!

Mate, in that case, someone is copying your inane ramblings and passing it off as their own! Don't know why they'd do that though!

[johnscarlet]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Mate, in that case, someone is copying your inane ramblings and passing it off as their own! Don't know why they'd do that though!

Or overkill is copying someone elses inane ramblings , Its , this is my fish , all over again

[Kazman]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Did anyone else hear Bentley call in to talksport on saturday morning?

I didn't, what was said?

[plonky]

'For me, representing your country is not about what suits you, it's about what suits your country, whether it be on the sporting field, whether it be in the armed forces.

'When your country comes calling, you put them first and yourself second.'
STUART PEARCE

What a load of rubbish. Club v Country? Club, Club and then Club

[overkill]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Mate, in that case, someone is copying your inane ramblings and passing it off as their own! Don't know why they'd do that though!

What!! Someone else is rambling inanely using my handle!

This must stop!


Only I'm allowed to mumble, mutter and rant under the name Overkill!

Wheres my lawyer..............

[overkill]

Originally Posted by plonky

What a load of rubbish. Club v Country? Club, Club and then Club

Ok, fair enough. But then if that's the case then they should just admit it, and stop using their promotion to the England squad to boost their value on their CV.

Either be patriotic and pull on the shirt with pride, or say 'no thanks I don't want to risk injury to damage my fat wedge earning potential'.

You can't have to both ways.

At the moment that's exactly what they are doing.