Dan Bentley insists that regardless of their Premier League future, this Wolves group will go into the final five matches of the season with the correct attitude and application.
Saturday’s defeat to Leeds United leaves the club’s top flight status almost out of reach, and the goalkeeper pointed to a difficult opening 20 minutes where the game got away from them at Elland Road.
The 32-year-old was a late call in the starting eleven, replacing the injured Jose Sa, and while proud to make his first appearance this season, was looking at the bigger picture and, as a senior player, rallying the group for the remaining games.
On a disappointing performance
“We’re disappointed in ourselves more than anything. We can't produce a 20-minute performance at the start the game like we did and expect to come back in a game like that, against a good opposition away from home. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb, and it's something that we did similar last week as well. We spoke about that and addressed that, and obviously we produce that first 20-minute performance.
“It's really frustrating, because I think from then we had flashes and we had moments in the game where we showed quality, but a 2-0 lead 20 minutes into a game is very, very difficult against a good, solid team. So, the lads are obviously devastated, dejected, and we've got to look at ourselves in the mirror because we caused our own problems for the second game in a row.”
On not writing off the final games
“I don't think we can look too far ahead at the moment. There's obviously a cloud over us at the moment, with regards to what's looming. Prior to the break, we got ourselves in a good position, and there was hope. Over last two games, from our own doing, we've all but diminished that hope. Regardless of our league position, we have to keep going. There's no way we can down tools, we won't accept that as a group, the manager certainly won't accept that, the senior boys in the group won't accept that at all. So, we have to keep fighting.”
On getting his opportunity
“I'm always honoured to play Premier League football, and for this club. I work my backside off every day in training for these opportunities. It's not the first time it's happened in this way, I've been thrown in at the last minute on numerous occasions and come on to games as a substitute. So, it's something that, as an experienced player, I know I can deal with. My temperament allows me to mentally deal with these situations.
“It was obviously a late call – 15, 20 minutes before the warm up I find out I'm playing, but I'm already prepared, even if I'm on the bench or in the stands, I'm always prepared to play when called upon. Obviously, the bigger picture now is the situation with the club. I was really gutted for the fans, because they deserve better than what we produced last week, and on Saturday.”
On fighting for the shirt
“That's what I do every day. I've been here now nearly three and a half years, and fight is what I do every day. I train like it's my last training session every day and it enables me to come into these situations and I know I'm ready. I leave no stone unturned. I'm making sure that I'm dotting every i, crossing every t to make sure that I can come into these situations and step up to the plate. Of course, I've still got a desire to play. I still want to play football, week in, week out, and help the team, help the club.”
