John

I think it also depends if we are playing away or at home. For away matches, I feel more secure knowing we can put a shift in up front. Against Chelsea (for example), neither Benni or Cruz worked that hard for some reason. I think playing them together at home is not an issue, as we should be more the dominant team but I question whether it will work well away from home. I suppose time will tell, as we have not had enough games to judge yet, well I haven't (especially Cruz).

I wanted Roberts to start today's match instead of McCarthy. He will always put a shift in and can cause havoc in the opposition defence (especially against inferior teams).

Did anyone manage to read this in the end?? Sounds interesting....

Did anyone manage to read this in the end?? Sounds interesting....

At the time, I actually had nightmares over Dowie getting the job (not joking).

Article below which is slightly critical of Hughes reign as Wales manager........... http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/...-name_page.html

McLaren to Bentley booing I don't remember you handling it too well McLaren when the press critiscism of you got out of hand a few months back.

On a couple of occasions tonight, Derbyshire has looked really quick. He has showed some nice touches and could/should have scored one more by now...

Will never forget you Jack.

Bentley was £500k.... Savage said it in the Sky studio last season when they were talking about him. I am guessing there could be add-ons though which Arsenal would have stupid not to include.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1779

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1779

Hughes - Benni is staying....

I am sure the club will make a comment on this soon enough. I remember when Barry Ferguson wanted to leave, Hughes did not react very kindly. Benni’s feet won’t touch the ground if he just refused to turn up.

What? Keeping your best players, prized assets is wrong?? I don't quite follow what you are saying, are you being sarcastic? You need to retain your key players and add to them if you are going to progress as a club.

People seem to think Hughes will replace McCarthy with ease. Selling Mcarthy will be the last resort for Sparky and you can gauge that from his comments on the matter at the end of last season. Whilst Hughes is an excellent judge of player, there was quite a bit of luck involved in Benni coming here. We were very close to signing Mido ahead of McCarthy last summer and I doubt Mido would have scored as many goals. Also, the Premiership trail went cold on MCarthy for some reason last summer and he may not have come here at all if other clubs registered their interest. In addition, we got McCarthy for peanuts because of his situation at Porto. Replacing him would be very hard - decent strikers are usually the most expensive. Plus the fact if they are a decent striker, there will be another 6 Prem league clubs after them. Continuity and stability are important as well if we are to progress.

Because his body will be used to it after playing his second full-season in the Premiership. He has been working a hell of a lot of other aspects of his game (in the gym) throughout the season and this has also taken its toll. Additionally, this was an Under 21 tournament, so I am sure if it was the full England squad, Bentley would have sacrficed his summer and the start of our pre-season. It is clearly obvious Bentley needs a good rest in order to come back in good shape next season - afterall he did discuss this with full England squad members (and you can presume they told him to take the summer off unless he wants to "hit a brick wall around October time"). He may be 23 but Bentley is still early on in his development - he has just had his first FULL season in the Premiership.

Anyone who watched Bentley's last 6-8 games for Blackburn would have noticed he has become visibly tired. I remember watching him closely in our last match against Reading and thinking to myself he looks so tired. He actually had a good game that day (compared to his last few previously), but he was really forcing himself to run around at points. He has just had his first FULL season in the Premiership - he has not played much before at this level. Additionally, he has been working extra hard in the gym throughout the season on his strength (and we have all seen the improvements there). He has made not made this decision lightly at all, and dicussed the issue at length with Hughes. We will benefit this decision, but ultimately it will be Bentley who will benefit as he will come back fresher and will be able to hit the ground running. For those who say he will be overlooked for England because of his actions, I do not think this will be the case. He will improve and get better (more so with the rest he will have this summer), and this will result in him becoming an even better footballer, and barring injury his form will take him into the England squad/team on a regular basis in my view.

It jus shows what k**bs Pearce and McClaren are. There has been a few warnings this was going to happen and Hughes even spoke to Pearce on Wednesday night, saying he considered pulling Bentley out of the squad. Pearce comments are unnacceptable in my opinion. He should stick to what he knows best, being a passionate shyte manager.

Woken up this morning reading all the garbage about Bentley. Very angry about this. Glad Hughes has spoken out.

I cannot be bothered to read some of the posts on this. The boy is drained and you could see the affect on his performaces in the later end of the season. Got to go with Sparky on this one, Pearce can (Please don't use that word again) off.

I asked Bentley at the end of the season, are you looking forward to the summer - he said no, I am not, I have to play football and I am absolutely knackered!!

Like his days at Boro, McLaren is a boring, dull coach. He is under pressure so has to play the safety card in playing the more experienced players, even those of had a poor season (or hardly played at all for their clubs). Bentley is probably thinking he has to move clubs to get a proper chance at international level. He has had the season of his life yet still can't get any game time in a struggling England team (not even in a friendly as a sub). Thankfully, I think he will be with us for more season at least.

I think this may be the article.....

Latest Jose comments suggest he is not after a striker..........?