its the poxy under 21's? who cares- he isn't even under 21 anymore!
give the kid a break i reckon. remember, he is the only player to be involved in both teams and as such will have NO rest till a week before the next season.
i think a lot of people are flippant about how physically demanding it is to be a top player.
Hmm I do tend to agree with this.
However instead of pulling out could he not have come to some agreement about not playing all the games?
I think its the lateness of the withdraw that makes it look bad.
I wasnt in the country but was Agbonlahor flamed as much when didnt turn up?
Agree about the lateness, however, some blame lies with McClaren here- why call him up to the first team if he had no intention playing him?
And Agbonlahor was barely mentioned- even though he was on holiday not answering his phone. At least Bentley had the balls to speak to Pearce.
Which does take some balls to upset him.
If you had been in McClaren's shoes what would you have done?
call up a player that could change a game and have him on bench to help save your job, or leave him in the U21 side?
More importantly can we replace him at this late stage?
We can't replace him- Pearces main issue.
My problem with McClaren is that i honestly feel he had no intention of playing him. He had the perfect opportunity in both games but he chose to replace Beckham with Jenas and Owen with Dyer in the Brazil game then Beckham/Dyer, Owen/Jenas, Cole/Downing vs Estonia.
Had Bentley had the last couple of weeks off i supsect he wouldn't of pulled out.
Its the poxy under 21's? Who cares- he isn't even under 21 anymore!