Bennett buoyed by chance to battle Pudil for Sheffield Wednesday starting berth

New Sheffield Wednesday signing Joe Bennett says he is relishing the opportunity to battle with Daniel Pudil for a place in the Owls' backline.
Joe Bennett playing for Brighton last seasonJoe Bennett playing for Brighton last season
Joe Bennett playing for Brighton last season

Twenty-five year old Bennett signed on loan from Aston Villa this week and goes into competition with the Czech international for the left back berth.

Having played just one competitive game this season, in the Capital One Cup for Villa against Notts County in August, Bennett is looking forward to pushing Pudil for a spot in the Owls’ starting XI, but he is all too aware that it may not happen straight away.

Daniel PudilDaniel Pudil
Daniel Pudil

“I’m prepared to bide my time,” he said.

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“Any club you go to you are going to be competing for places. It’s going to be no different here. I am really looking forward to getting going. I am really determined and motivated to get into the team.”

Bennett, who was on loan at Bournemouth but failed to make an appearance for the Premier League side, added: “Most of my career I have been an attacking left-back.

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Daniel PudilDaniel Pudil
Daniel Pudil

“In recent years, I have learned and developed to be a good defender at the same time. I do like to get forward and be creative.

“I love to get in the final third and hopefully the fans will see that if I’m given the opportunity in the next couple of weeks.”

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Bennett’s lack of game-time has made him hungry to succeed at Hillsborough, with his last consistent run coming for Brighton on loan last season.

“The main thing for me is playing games and getting used to playing week-in week-out again,” he said. “It’s important for me at my age to be playing games.

“I was at Brighton on loan and played 42 games last year. That was a really good loan spell for me. Hopefully I can get a good run of games under my belt here.”

Wednesday travel to Reading on Saturday aiming to keep hold of their top six berth.