Comments on: Is international football becoming a chore?

By: Paul Morris

Paul Morris — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:48:12 +0000

I agree completely with Steve’s comments regarding how it remains the purest form of the game. Even Spain and Brazil, the 2 best international sides in world football, have glaring weaknesses. Both lack top-quality left-backs, but they cannot just go out and remedy the situation by buying a player. They have to make make do with what they have.

The World Cup is the greatest show on earth. It is how I became interested in football in the first place during Italia ‘90. Even though looking back on it, it was a poor tournament, full of cynical play and the most boring final in history.

The Stephen Ireland situation is very disappointing, the ‘Grannygate’ story has been done to death in this country. The story goes that 2 members of the squad held Ireland down, and started jeering him about his hair. It’s such a pity, he only played 6 games for the country, scoring 4 goals, but he really seemed to be finding his feet at international level. He played exceptionally well in consectutive Euro 2008 qualifers against Wales and Slovakia in March ‘07. But alas, the Irish will be playing France without their most outstanding talent.

By: Fabricio

Fabricio — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:07:21 +0000

In my point of view a World Cup remains something unique in terms of challenge. Like Steve wrote above here, one of the few forms left that has any purity. Ireland (country) has a chance of eliminating France in two games and clinch a berth, with or without Stephen. I hope to see Ireland in SA, without the bold one from City.

By: Steve Atkinson

Steve Atkinson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:45:22 +0000

Don’t you think it’s more than a little ridiculous that it’s expected that players may complain if played out of position? Why should they complain, if Gerrard or anyone else for that matter complained I was playing him out of position in the national team, he wouldn’t play again. Ultimately they are getting paid to kick a ball about, I’d play any position the coach wanted, surely they are good enough that they can adapt?

Personally I think there should be more international games, as it’s one of the few forms of the sport that has any purity left in it. Looking at the World Cup squads for 2010, there are only 2 international breaks between now and the time the squads are announced, making it very difficult for a fringe player to get in at this stage.

The argument about players getting injured on international duty is irrelevant, it’s part and parcel of the game. They could have been injured playing for their club just as easily. If a player is worried about getting injured while playing for his country he can withdraw, but that effectively ends his chances of playing on the biggest stage in the world.

By: Geoff Edwards

Geoff Edwards — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:49:49 +0000

I thought he lied about his grandmother to cover up for the fact that his girlfriend had just had a miscarriage, and he thought he’d be seen as soft if he admitted it. I hadn’t heard the part about his hair though, that’s quite funny.

I think the comments he came out with are part of his own justification for not playing. I’m sure he’ll realise what he’s missing if Ireland make it to SA.

By: Steven Jones

Steven Jones — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:04:19 +0000

The case with Stephen Ireland is that apparently he was ‘bullied’ about his hair when he went to play for the national team once so he doesn’t want to play for them again.

He made an excuse that his grandma was unwell even though she wasn’t so he’s clearly trying to avoid something there and for the time being he’s not going to make himself available for Ireland. Shame because I feel with International and Champions League experience he could be come a real top player.

By: Ben Cohen

Ben Cohen — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:19:29 +0000

Paul, I think you make a very persuasive case. At the same time, I’m hesitant about completely polarising this as a club or country matter. I think there are times when country will win out, if not for patriotic reasons then for commercial ones – the World Cup being the most obvious case in point. Even at the dizzy heights of the Premier League or La Liga, the World Cup is still a huge deal – a global obsession sustained over 4 weeks!
Partly because of that, I have to confess that I am mystified by Stephen Ireland. Is it that he’s just immature or has a travel phobia? And even if either or both of those things are true, how come they aren’t trumped by the desire for exposure which lurks in the heart of every Premier League player? It beggars belief that he can be so cavalier about the World Cup.

By: Steven Jones

Steven Jones — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:29:50 +0000

I personally think playing for your country is the biggest honor, but you’re right it’s becoming an inconvenience to the day jobs (playing for their clubs) as they’re the employers.

I think it’s a problem with the International fixture list being too full and too many fixtures played. I wrote an article a few months ago about how UEFA and FIFA really have to work on this and work with clubs, which they have done to an extent. It’s now up to the country and the clubs to make it right.

The ideal situation is to play for your country in the World Cup, but everything isn’t as black and white as that unfortunately and that has to be accepted.

Not only should it be a highlight of your career to play for your country due to being patriotic there’s also the element of timing.

Being eliminated from the Champions League is one thing — there’s always next season. Failing to get to the World Cup is quite another — the chance may not come around again and it’s that additional pressure that makes the World Cup stand out so much.

By: Paul Morris

Paul Morris — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:41:49 +0000

Hi Alessio,

Gerrard has missed some friendlies over the years, as has Rooney who is another very patriotic Englishman. That was scandalous Gerrard was forced to travel down to London last year when he was clearly unfit. He has been dogged by groin trouble for a year, he missed games against Chelsea and Arsenal in the run-in last season. It also meant he failed to start against Manchester United in September 2008. 3 of Liverpool’s biggest games last year.

I just feel that that throughout his international career he was been used in so many positions, and not complained once about it. He has played in holding midfield,right-back, left-midfield and just got on with it. He has rarely played his favoured role as a second striker, but it did take a number of managers quite a while to figure out how best use Gerrard’s explosive talents. Plus Rooney has that position tied up at present.Paul Scholes moaned about been played out of position and eventually retired, but no-one ever questioned his loyalty to the cause.People defended his decision, and he was entitled to do so if he wished. However, the holier than thou reputation Scholes built up is not warranted. He went in and around 20 games without scoring for England, and he was kept in the team, eventually pushed in a role that didn’t suit his game. And he complained about it.

Gerrard has done his talking for England on the pitch, perhaps not reached the heights of his Liverpool exploits, but if that’s not being patriotic, then I don’t know what is.

By: alessio

alessio — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:50:13 +0000

Perhaps these youngsters should look at the examples of Steven Gerrard and Cristanio Ronaldo. 2 of the world game’s biggest names, 2 hugely patriotic men, who see the honour in representing their respective countries

What? Gerrard skips every non-important game, hence why last year Capello was so enraged he ordered him to fly down to verify he was actually injured. Luckily for Stevie G, he actually was that time.