Ah, the good old international break otherwise known as the ‘what do you mean Palace aren’t playing this weekend?’ break writes STU IONS.
I have come to dislike the international break. Just when things seem to get going it is all put on hold and our players are shipped half way round the world, coming back knackered and in need of a break from the break they have just had.
Like most fans, I just hope our players come back unscathed and injury free from their jaunts around the globe. I am proud that our players represent their countries on the global stage. It is testament to their dedication and the coaching at our wonderful club. I just hate the timing of it.
As grumpy as I get about the international break, I think a lot of my resentment comes from me falling out of love with our national team. There was a time when international football was as important to me as my club. I would go as far as to say I looked forward to England matches as much as Crystal Palace matches.
The excitement of seeing the cream of the crop gather together as one to take on another nation. Of the many things I loved about watching England back in the day, being able to meet up with friends I would not normally watch football with ranks highest. Putting aside club rivalries for the love of our country.
Long before I was a married man I would use my annual holiday to watch England play. I would book up the dates around games well in advance, I knew I would be in no condition to work the following day no matter what the outcome. World Cup and European Championship tournaments literally ruined me in my twenties watching England. Drinking copious amounts of Carlsberg Cold can play havoc with ones health.
The players seemed more passionate, more grateful to be picked. They did not assume they would automatically be picked. I will never forget Gazza being left out of the 1998 World Cup squad. It seemed unthinkable at the time but in fairness was probably the correct decision. He was devastated not to be picked. It broke his heart. I am not sure the modern crop have the same passion.
Personally, I do not think Roy Hodgson would be brave enough to leave a high profile player comparable to Gazza out of the squad now. It seems if your face fits, you are in the gang until you retire or are exposed as a massive racist adulterer. Sorry, I mean ‘alleged‘ massive racist adulterer.
I do not want to single players out but I am going to. Glen Johnson. Glen Johnson is a classic example of why I get so frustrated with our national side. It seems no matter what he does he is always selected. Shortly before the World Cup in Brazil earlier this year, I witnessed one of the greatest comebacks I have ever seen at Selhurst Park. Three down to Liverpool it seemed there was no way back. Out of nowhere we picked ourselves up and came back to draw 3-3. Cue massive scenes and badly bruised knees from smashing them on the seat in front. To be honest my knees still hurt from that night ….. Sorry, I digress.
Once the dust had settled, I watched the game again, several times in fact. You always get a different perspective watching a game on television. As much as we were fantastic in our comeback, all three of our goals came from poor defending from none other than Glen Johnson. This was not the first time he had been called out for his defending at club level. He was very publicly lambasted by some pundits and had a paddy on twitter. One week later he was named in the squad for the World Cup.
I thought at the time, if he was made to look amateur against Yannick Bolasie, he is going to have a torrid time when he comes up against the world’s elite. Even though Mr Johnson is currently injured, I was still expecting his name to be on the call up sheet last week. Imagine my shock when I saw Nathaniel Clyne had received a long overdue call up. I hope he is given a chance at some point. I am of course biased, he came through our academy, but he has played consistently well at England U21 level and has been outstanding for his club. I cannot help but feel if he was at a ‘bigger‘ club he may well have been in the squad sooner.
The bigger club argument is forever a topic of discussion when it comes to England. It is covered so extensively on Twitter and message boards that I will not jabber on about it now. All I will say is the most in form players should always be considered, regardless of what club they play for.
I still watch England, I still support them. I just do not get that horrible aching feeling in my stomach when they lose. When Palace lose I am an emotional unpredictable disaster area. It is probably a blessing these emotions are kept in check for England matches.
One day I hope I regain the passion and faith I once had for our national side but for now it is club over country every time.
Come on you Palace.
