Bentley's backing
Thursday, 07 February, 2008
David Bentley is an early advocate of the Fabio Capello regime, after making his full debut on Wednesday.
England 2-1 Switzerland
International Friendly
8pm, Wednesday 6 February 2008
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC1
David Bentley gave an insight into life under Fabio Capello after impressing in England's 2-1 victory over Switzerland.
The Blackburn Rovers midfielder was one of the stars of the show at Wembley and was delighted with how the game went, but he admits it was nerve-wracking just waiting to find out if he was in the side!
"We all worked together as a team and it was really enjoyable to be part of it," said the 23-year-old.
"To play in an occasion like this, I enjoyed every minute of it.
“The manager keeps every player on his toes, no-one really knows what the team is going to be and then he hits you with it a couple of hours before the game.
"I think it’s the best way of doing it, it keeps all 23 players part of the team.
“On the pitch he wants us to break more with the ball and keep passing it. We’ve laid a foundation here. Each and every one of us has to grow and grow as a team. He wants us rotate the ball and enjoy playing with each other."
Bentley was also delighted to win over the England fans after previously being criticised for pulling out of the UEFA European Under 21 Championship Finals last summer.
"You can’t please everyone but hopefully I can keep working hard, keep playing for the shirt and the team," he revealed.
"And hopefully that’s what the fans want to come and watch and I can do them justice.”
England
1 David James, 2 Wes Brown, 3 Ashley Cole (16 Wayne Bridge, 74 mins), 4 Gareth Barry (18 Owen Hargreaves, 74 mins), 5 Rio Ferdinand, 6 Matthew Upson, 7 David Bentley, 8 Jermaine Jenas (17 Shaun Wright-Phillips, 57 mins), 9 Wayne Rooney (19 Ashley Young, 87 mins), 10 Steven Gerrard (c), 11 Joe Cole (21 Peter Crouch, 57 mins).
Substitutes 12 Scott Carson, 13 Micah Richards, 14 Joleon Lescott, 15 Jonathan Woodgate, 20 Michael Owen, 22 Jermain Defoe, 23 Chris Kirkland.
Switzerland
12 Diego Benaglio, 4 Philippe Senderos (13 Stephane Grichting, 55 mins), 10 Daniel Gygax (38 Eren Derdiyok, 46 mins), 16 Tranquillo Barnetta, 17 Christoph Spycher, 22 Hakan Yakin (5 Xavier Margairaz, 64 mins), 27 Gokhan Inler, 29 Stephan Lichsteiner (19 Valon Behrami, 46 mins), 31 Blaise Nkufo (28 Johann Vonlanthen, 46 mins), 33 Gelson Fernandes (24 Benjamin Huggel, 84 mins), 34 Mario Eggimann.
Substitutes 1 Pascal Zuberbuhler, 21 Fabio Coltorti, 30 Reto Ziegler.
Goals
Jenas 40, Wright-Phillips 62 Derdiyok 58
Kit Colours
England Red shirts, white shorts, red socks
Switzerland White shirts, red shorts, red socks
Match Officials
Referee Felix Bryche (Germany)
Assistant Referees Jan-Hendrik Salver and Kai Voss (Both Germany)
Fourth Official Martin Atkinson (England)
Attendance: 86,857