Another fine England mess

Monday, 09/08/2010

The timings of Wes Brown and Paul Robinson’s decisions to quit England is puzzling and embarrassing.

Both announced their international retirements after being named in Fabio Capello’s latest squad.

Why didn’t they tell the manager earlier that they no longer wish to be picked for their country?

Or had they even been told they were in the latest squad?

Surely the coach must have contacted Brown and Robinson before the squad was announced? Others managers certainly called – or got the FA to call – players to check if they were available, and break the news.

We’ve already heard that Capello wanted Paul Scholes to come out of self-imposed retirement before the World Cup. But the player says he turned the chance down because it wasn’t the coach but one of his deputies who rang him.

It might sound a bit pedantic to turn down England because the top man hasn’t called – but remember he was asking a player to do a complete U-turn on a massive decision.

Jamie Carragher answered the call for South Africa 2010 and full credit to him for saying it was a one-off to help out in a difficult time.

Emile Heskey informed us weeks ago that he was no longer going to play in internationals and that he would concentrate on club football.

As he approaches his 33^rd birthday, it’s a wise decision, especially as it allows the manager to experiment a lot easier with younger players.

I respect Brown and Robinson’s decisions but am still puzzled as to why they wouldn’t want to play internationally. Brown may think that after his various injury problems he needs to concentrate on Man United. I would accept that.

But at the age of 30 Robbo is still young for a keeper. He is experienced and, like Brown, back to some of his best career form.

Still, Capello now has even less reasons for not experimenting with some of the good, young players at his disposal.

A friendly is a good way to blood players and to test them out on the biggest stage – let’s hope Capello now uses that chance.

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