by Red Red Tom » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:31 pm
Hi everyone, its my first post, so go easy on me!
I think international friendlies have a place in the modern football world, but only as warm up games for a major tournament. It is incredibly frustrating when LFC are finally back playing Premiership football and then we get a pointless game like this. Injuries are a worry of course, and that is part of the reason I would favour internationals only before a WC/Euro Championship - most injuries sustained would not affect the clubs, just the countries - perhaps encouraging International managers not to risk thier best players for the whole match.
On a similar note - these England friendlies are even worse because of the style of play we have been subjected to under Sven. This probably won't affect Chel$ki as much as us - because Rafa has just got Stevie and Carra thinking his way (ie, passing, moving, GOOD FOOTBALL) and now they have to go and play Sven's way; a style far more similar to the chequebook champions.
If we really must endure international matches like these, then I would far rather they were schedualed during a winter break - once again seperating the club and country aspect, for two reasons. If you are anything like me, you are willing the Manure players to get sent off, or injured during England matches, including the qualifiers - but during the tournaments themselves, I tend to hope they do well. My guess is with no club football to think of the partizan elements fade, and playing the internationals in a winter break could certainly help this.
The second reason I think this would be better is that it is once again down the international managers how tired the players can get. If they have to think about more games in sucession, I'm sure we wouldn't see Stevie playing every game, the winter break would do him good before the WC.
Rant over. Sorry for the long post everyone, but Internationals do REALLY bug me.
Tom