Wolves goalkeeper targeting 'meaningful' 2025/26 contribution

The goalkeeper plays a big role off the pitch as part of the leadership team but has only played 12 times in two-and-a-half seasons at Wolves.

His goal is to take the number one shirt, but he admits the team must come first and that he will have a 'meaningful' impact regardless of whether he plays.

"Part of my answer is going to be the team to be successful and me to be a part of that team," Bentley said when asked what he considers a successful 2025/26 season to be.

"If I can have an important role in that team, then perfect for me.

"As long as I keep performing in training and doing as much as I can to keep myself in that space, in that environment, then the best scenario for me would be play as many games as possible.

"I'm not going to start putting numbers on it, but play as many games as possible and be part of a team that is looking upwards. 

"Let's be honest, none of us want a relegation battle, none of us want that stress.

"However, if we're put in that situation, we're obviously going to fight tooth and nail to make sure that that doesn't happen, as we did last year.

"Last year there were changes made, but that was still a difficult period in which we had to fight to make sure that the club stayed in the Premier League, which is where it deserves to be, minimum, and where the fans deserve to be.

"My idea of a successful season would be aiming higher, finishing higher and being involved as much as possible. If it's not on the pitch, then it's meaningful in my impact off it."

Bentley made three senior appearances last season, including a clean sheet in a win at Old Trafford, as he opens up on the 'grind' of not playing.

"I prep the right way, I try and do everything right every single day," he added.

"Sometimes it can be a grind, I'll be honest. When you're not playing, you don't have the reward of playing on a Saturday. Sometimes I think, I grafted my nuts off again this week and I don't have the reward of playing.

"But I don't lose sight of the bigger picture, and the bigger picture is I obviously want the team to be successful, because if the team's successful, I've got a better chance of being successful and I'm part of that team.

"I'm not bigger than the team. I've got my own individual goals and responsibilities, but obviously I want to play as well.

"I've not had a 10 game run since I've been at Wolves, and that's difficult from my point of view because as a goalkeeper especially, you're best when you're in your groove and playing.

"To be dipped in and out is not easy, but it's something that I do my very best to prepare for every single day.

"I believe that if I get a run of games, I will be the best version of myself after four, five, six, seven games. That's not a luxury that I've been afforded up to now and I respect the situation.

"It's difficult, but I'm certainly not getting my violin out and asking for sympathy for what I believe to be the best job in the world because I'm still involved in a Premier League set-up, which is something that I'm also immensely proud of."