QUOTES BY DENNIS 2000
24 February 2000
England Vs Argentina, wise played in the midfield, wearing his #4 england shirt
Dennis Wise said," We're a bit disappointed not to win the game. "The fella clipped Alan Shearer's ankles in the first half and it was a penalty."
Asked how he felt the midfield trio of himself, David beckham and Paul scholes had worked, Wise replied," It's very hard at international level, especially against a team of their class, but we worked hard and gave it a go."
10 March 2000
Wise made his complaint about the stupid critcism on him when he played for England
Chelsea skipper said," I don't mind criticism as long as it's constructive but why do people have to be so thoroughly nasty?"
Wise said, " On the coach on the way to Wembley, someone help up a newspaper headline. It said something like "There must be a crisis to call up Dennis Wise.
"How do you think I felt - on the way to represent my country - to read that? It wasn't nice. I knew I was under pressure because if I didn't play well I'd get battered. But Kevin spoke up for me before the game and the comments he made were appreciated.
"He didn't have to pick me. If he hadn't, nobody would have batted an eyelid. He had obviously watched me and thought I could do it. Why do people always bring discipline into it? Why don't they say at times that I can play, too?
"I know I'm playing well at the moment. It just happens - you feel confident and it's difficult to explain why. You know, I'm 33, getting old, but I work hard and I'm still in there running."
"It's a difficult job for the boss because he has so many top-class players," he said.
"He can't play all of them and those who don't get in, get unhappy."
Wise admitted," I knew if I didn't play well I would get battered."
Wise, 33, said," When people think of Dennis Wise they think of discipline. That is my problem and I think too much os made of it.
"I can play the game, I know that, but always it si Dennis the bad guy. OK, I have been sent off 11 times. But that should not hide the fact I am a good player."
Wise admitted," That meant a lot to me.The things Kevin Keegan said, and the fact that he picked me, gave me a boost. He didn't have to, did he?
"The easy option would have been to overlook me and no one would have raised an eyebrow. As soon as he included me all sorts of things were opened up. But he gave me a chance and I hope I took it."
Wise himself was taken aback by the feeling against him. He said, " How do you think that made me feel? There were newspaper headlines staring me in my face and there I was, on the way to represent my country. It wasn't nice.
"I can take criticism but I don't see why it has to become nasty or personal. That is why at Wembley I knew I had to do well.I wanted to do it for the manager as much as anyone. He had stuck out for me."
He added," I can't say too much for obvious reasons, although I would like to."
He said," I know I am playing well because I can feel it. It just happens.