Comments on: Whatever happened to David Bentley?

By: Vincent Ralph

Vincent Ralph — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 10:28:35 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts. I wouldn’t say I’m blinded by the EPL as I didn’t feel the need to write similar articles when Cole temporarily moved to France, Mancienne to Germany or even Fryers to Belgium. I just felt that it was a very left-field transfer, to a team that the vast majority of football fans outside of Russia won’t have heard of (until now).

I agree with you completely that more players should try their hand abroad. It’s always struck me as strange that our leagues contain players from across the globe but for some reason it is on the rarest of occasions that British and Irish players move the other way. The technical skills many of our players lack are exactly the skills that show us up in major competitions every other year.

By: Vincent Ralph

Vincent Ralph — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 10:18:43 +0000

Thank you Alan. I truly hope he takes this opportunity as there’s no doubt he’s an extremely talented player. I’ll certainly be paying more attention to Rostov’s results from now on.

By: rob

rob — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:38:19 +0000

Vincent, you are too blinded by the EPL if you have never heard of Rostov! As far as I’m concerned not enough young home grown talent try their luck on the continent and decide on the easy option of sticking to what they know. This is no truer than with young Irish lads who dream of making it over to England, at any level it would seem. Why not try to develop some technical skills abroad instead of the rough and tumble of the English game?

By: Alan Moore

Alan Moore — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 23:13:05 +0000

Vincent, if there was a club to go to in Russia Rostov would be it. A nurturing and quality head coach (Bozovic), energised fans, nice area to live and away from the distractions and pressure of Moscow. He’ll line out alongside some quality players – Pletikosa (who is still a good keeper), Blatnjak (a player who can perform miracles), powerful striker Jan Holenda and the excellent Razvan Cocis. He will be appreciated in Russia as his speed and skill are wasted in leagues where playing to a lump it system or premium on fast frenetic play are preferred. He will most likely return by the winter break or sign fully for the Russian side. He played a full 90minutes today and was integral to a fine 1-0 win over a resilient (if struggling) Dinamo side. He showed his commitment in getting carded, though in fairness it would have gone unnoticed in England.

By: Giancarlo Marcelli

Giancarlo Marcelli — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:30:50 +0000

I was actually thinking of Bentley the other day when I saw his transfer to Rostov had gone through, which surprised me quite a bit. I can understand the ups and downs of professional football, but I think that at 28 he can still contribute quite a lot. I wonder why he chose Rostov as I’m sure there were English clubs he could’ve gone to, but perhaps in the Championship and lower. I think if he begins at a team where he is seemed as integral he can regain his form again. Confidence is such a big part of sport and I think that’s a big factor that needs to be regained for him to flourish once again.