Outspoken Blackburn midfielder David Bentley has hit out at England's critics by claiming they are happy to see the national team fail.

England coach Steve McClaren and his players have been pilloried in some quarters in the wake of Wednesday night's European Championship qualifying defeat in Russia.

Bentley, who was in the squad but did not feature during the international break, believes some are taking a perverse pleasure in England's plight.

He said: "In this country, people do enjoy getting on people's backs. We do enjoy knocking people down.

"I believe sometimes people are happy when we fail.

"Sometimes, when you go to a game, the crowd are not behind the team."

He added: "I've experienced it. It's disappointing sometimes when you get people like Frank Lampard booed. It is difficult to take."