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Still no place for Daniel Bentley in the England U-21 squad named today. Three 'keepers named Jonathan Bond of Watford, Jack Butland (Stoke) and the Man Utd's 46th choice goalie Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone was also hugely impressive for Doncaster last season. All three 'keepers are rightly ahead of Bentley.
Bond is terrible, really dont know why they are picking him (especially when he played for Wales at youth).
Bentley is twice the keeper Bond is, at least!!
Anything that keeps him off the radar has to be a good thing for us.
Johnstone was also hugely impressive for Doncaster last season. All three 'keepers are rightly ahead of Bentley.
Yet, no doubt, had he gone soemwhere (even Peterborough) in the transfer window he would probably be in the squad ahead of Bond and Johnstone.
Butland hasn't touched a ball this season.
Its different at U21 where a lot of players wont have broken into their 1st team squads, especially, Goalkeepers
I dont see why you wouldnt take a player just because he hasnt been playing first team football and take a lesser player just because he has.
How do you know who is the better keeper? Butland may well be better than say Bentley, but if Bentley isn't in the squad then you can take a close look at them.
You can't look at Bentley's excellent performances for use and compare to Butland's because Butland is barely playing. Having a look during 1 game is far too small a sample to judge a player upon.
Give someone like Bentley a call-up just so that he spends 10 days in and around the squad and can be judged. They know broadly what Butland can do but won't be any where near his top ability if he isn't currently playing.
I do appreciate though that it's not realistic for all u21s to have broken through into top teams, but there are excellent prospects playing at levels below the PL and they don't appear to be getting a close look. If an u21 keeper is playing week in week out for their club at any level (Pl or L2) then that's a very impressive achievement and worthy of close consideration (not saying that Bentley wasn't closely considered).
How do you know who is the better keeper? Butland may well be better than say Bentley, but if Bentley isn't in the squad then you can't take a close look at them.
You can't look at Bentley's excellent performances for use and compare to Butland's because Butland is barely playing. Having a look during 1 game is far too small a sample to judge a player upon.
Give someone like Bentley a call-up just so that he spends 10 days in and around the squad and can be judged. They know broadly what Butland can do but won't be any where near his top ability if he isn't currently playing.
I do appreciate though that it's not realistic for all u21s to have broken through into top teams, but there are excellent prospects playing at levels below the PL and they don't appear to be getting a close look. If an u21 keeper is playing week in week out for their club at any level (Pl or L2) then that's a very impressive achievement and worthy of close consideration (not saying that Bentley wasn't closely considered).
given that Bentley has been scouted but hasn't been picked i imagine they'd argue that they've seen all of him that they think they need to
They would scout them.
I like Bentley, but just because he is playing for us and Butland isnt doesnt change anything, they will know who is the better and they would want the player they expect of having the best chance of progression getting the experience. Its not about seeing what each can do but giving them experience of the England set up, and they will no doubt feel Butland will benefit more, especially if he plays.
Its down to Bentley to prove them wrong as time goes on, I dont think he has done enough to warrant it though.