Source: Northern_Echo
Bennett will battle for England place
JOE Bennett has admitted he faces an almighty battle to force his way into England's squad for the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark this summer.[LNB] Bennett has been involved in two of England's last three Under-21 internationals, appearing as a substitute against Italy and Iceland.[LNB] However, with Stuart Pearce likely to select two left-backs in his squad for the European Championships, the Northallerton-based 21-year-old will have to force his way ahead of either Kieran Gibbs or Ryan Bertrand if he is to be involved.[LNB] Gibbs has made 46 senior appearances for Arsenal, while Chelsea's Bertrand skippered the Under-21s in their recent win over Iceland.[LNB] As a result, Bennett is already facing up to the likelihood of being overlooked when Pearce names his final selection at the start of the summer.[LNB] "There are two very good left-backs in contention for a place in the squad," said the full-back. "You look at those two and, in a couple of years, they're probably going to be world-class players.[LNB] "It's going to be difficult because I don't think they're going to take three left-backs to the tournament. That'll make it hard for me to squeeze my way in.[LNB] "Ryan was captain in the last game, so that just shows what they think about him, and Kieran is a great player with loads of top-class experience with Arsenal. You'd think he's certain to be in the squad, but all I can do is keep on showing what I'm capable of with Middlesbrough and see what happens."[LNB] If Bennett was to miss out on a trip to Denmark, his youthfulness means he could still find himself lining up in a major tournament for England Under-21s in the future.[LNB] "The good thing is that I'm a year younger than a lot of the lads, so I'll still be eligible to play in the next round of qualifiers and the next tournament in a couple of years time," he said.[LNB] "Jason Steele's in the same boat, so if I'm not in this squad, hopefully I'll be involved a fair bit more in the future."[LNB] In the meantime, Bennett's primary focus is on helping Middlesbrough pull as far away from the relegation zone as possible in the final eight games of the season.[LNB] Last weekend's 3-3 draw with Leicester edged the Teessiders ten points clear of the final relegation spot, but in the wake of the final whistle, Bennett used his Twitter feed to bemoan his personal performance.[LNB] "Not the best game from me... was a bit quiet. But about time we got a late goal! Good result," wrote Bennett, an hour or so after the game.[LNB] The youngster is not afraid to deliver an honest assessment of his own performance, and claims he is rarely satisfied unless he is leaving the field with a man-of-the-match display under his belt.[LNB] "I'm my own worst critic," said Bennett. "I have high standards and I want to be the best player every game. I want to be coming off the field to be interviewed as the man of the match. When I don't get that, I'm disappointed in myself.[LNB] "The week before, against Watford, I thought I played really well.[LNB] "But I knew I hadn't hit those standards against Leicester.[LNB] "I was quiet and that disappointed me.[LNB] "I don't have to watch the performances back - I know in my own head whether I'm happy with my performances or not. I know I made a few mistakes against Leicester, but I'll be determined to go out and not repeat them."[LNB] Today's game pits Bennett against a Sheffield United side who have won their last two home games to rekindle hopes of survival.[LNB] The Blades are likely to adopt the same kind of physical approach that Leicester brought to the Riverside last weekend, and while Bennett admits he is more comfortable pushing forward as an attacking full-back, he insists he will not be shirking his defensive duties at Bramall Lane.[LNB] "I don't know whether I would say I enjoy the physical side of the game because I'm only fairly slight, but I'll certainly go into a tackle 100 per cent every time," he said.[LNB] "I'll always give my best in a challenge, just like I'll always give everything I've got when I go up for a header in the air.[LNB] "A lot of teams in this league play a fairly physical style, but you just have to get used to that.[LNB] "We don't really try to play like that, we try to get the ball down and pass it, but you have to win the physical battle before you can play your football.[LNB] "Sheffield United will be a hard game, and I'm sure the physical battle will be similar to Leicester. We have to be ready for that and hopefully get the three points."[LNB]
