MALCOLM MACDONALD:

One thing that goes against teams in the North-East is that England managers still watch a lot of league games in the London area. When they do bother to watch players from any of the North-East teams it tends to be in away games. Whereas they tend to see London players in home games.

Everyone knows that you are more likely to shine in a home game than away so I don’t think England managers see our players at their best. They don’t get a fair chance to impress.

This is why someone like Carlton Cole is a step ahead of Darren Bent. The London press also beat a drum for their own players because it is good for business. If a lad from West Ham or Arsenal is in the England squad it might increase their circulation in the south so they will always talk up their players and that gets the attention of someone like Capello.

Can Bent still make the 2012 Word Cup squad: Yes.

BERNIE SLAVEN:

Not for the first time I will have to disagree with Malcolm.

England representatives have been at The Riverside on a regular basis over the last few years watching Stewart Downing.

Obviously Stewie was a lot better than Bent and he rightly became an England regular despite being based up here.

In fairness there is probably some truth in what Malcolm says and maybe the North-East is not considered glamorous by people in London. Put it this way, if Darren Bent was playing for Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United then he would be in the England team no problem. It is always that bit tougher to get noticed when you are here in the North-East.

Gary Pallister got noticed by England even when he was playing in the second division. Mind you that was helped by Bobby Robson’s recommendation. it took a North-East man to notice the talent we have up here in the region.

Can Bent still make the 2012 Word Cup squad: Yes.

MICKY HORSWILL:

I have watched Darren Bent this season and he has been in fantastic form for Sunderland. But once he came to the North-East he will have been under no illusions that to attract the attention of the England manager he would have to be exceptional, week in week out.

Just remember when Kevin Philips was at Sunderland.

He was the deadliest striker in the county but was overlooked consistently for England and only got a handful of caps when he deserved much more. He was knocking them in for fun and had he been playing in a Tottenham shirt he’d have earned at least twice as many caps. There is clearly a bias against the lads playing in this region, no doubt about it.

I have been really impressed by Darren’s all round play, his work rate and his willingness to put a shift in for the team. I was very disappointed when Mr Capello decided not to give him a chance this weekend.

I can only recall Capello coming up to the Stadium of Light once - that tells you how tough it’s going to be for Darren.

Wayne Rooney is the number one choice then you have Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey.

Now I know Heskey is a different type of player but is he more effective than Bent?

I don’t think so. Surely you would go for a lad like Bent who not only works harder but he knocks the goals in.

Can Bent still make the 2012 Word Cup squad: Yes

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