Henry and Vieira called up for France... still no Pires

[rgrayson]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=263104&cpid=4&CLID=&lid=2&title=No+Pires+for+France&channel=Football_Home

The Arsenal winger has again been overlooked for the World Cup qualifiers with Switzerland and Israel.

There are no real surprises in Les Bleus' 20-man party with Pires's former Highbury team-mate Sylvain Wiltord recalled after injury following his sensational hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League romp against Werder Bremen.

Is this more that Raymond Domenech doesn't like Pires or that Pires really has no place?

[SLO-Gunner]

Either way I'm happy about our players not being called up. Being removed from international football seems to do wonders for the player's club form sometimes.

[Jasonisimo]

Who would play in his spot? Does France still play 4-4-2 under Domenech?

I do not remember Makalele retiring...

[mad theory]

Makelele retired from international football ages ago after getting fed up of constantly getting overlooked.

anyway it's no secret pires and the NT coach don't like each other personally, so while he's incharge pires has no place. pires should retire because it's obvious he won't be going to the world cup and he isn't getting any younger.

[nicephoras]

Makelele retired from international football ages ago after getting fed up of constantly getting overlooked.

No, he actually retired after the recent Euros after starting three matches.

[mad theory]

No, he actually retired after the recent Euros after starting each match.

yeah? i don't remember him playing.. :confused:

[nicephoras]

yeah? i don't remember him playing.. :confused:

Er, I edited my post - he didn't start the Croatia match.
How could you forget though - he was fould by Heskey for France's FK that Zidane converted.

[mad theory]

Er, I edited my post - he didn't start the Croatia match.
How could you forget though - he was fould by Heskey for France's FK that Zidane converted.

i honestly don't remember, i was concentrating on englands game, i didn't take much notice of france.

[nicephoras]

Well, they were playing in the same game as England at the time. ;)

[Achtung]

i honestly don't remember, i was concentrating on englands game, i didn't take much notice of france.

Must be tough watching a game and not looking at the other team's players. ;)

Frankly, considering our recent luck with players going off to internationals and coming back crocked, I'd think Arsenal fans would be happy about Pires not going and instead getting some rest.

[mad theory]

heh yeah, but i remembe him now. not for a good reason though, he tried to wind up rooney by smacking him on the face.

[fox point fury]

While I'm sure the disrespect of not being in the squad stings I'm glad he didn't get called up. Now all we need to do is get Dommenach mad at Paddy and Titi.

[Neo¹]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=263104&cpid=4&CLID=&lid=2&title=No+Pires+for+France&channel=Football_Home



Is this more that Raymond Domenech doesn't like Pires or that Pires really has no place?


Did you lose a bet or something, Why are you wearing the Moron-iho avatar?

[Przybylinski]

Did you lose a bet or something, Why are you wearing the Moron-iho avatar?

Didn't you read the latest Kangaroo Court. :D

[babyduck85]

anyway it's no secret pires and the NT coach don't like each other personally, so while he's incharge pires has no place. pires should retire because it's obvious he won't be going to the world cup and he isn't getting any younger.
Wow, do you guys really think he won't be able to play in the WC? That would really suck for him. He's always talked about retiring after that. I mean, okay, Domenech obviously doesn't like him, but the fact remains that there's no one ATM who can take his place. Coaches who let personal issues affect the team really piss me off.

Note: This post is in no way biased by my lustful obsession over Bobby... :p

[rgrayson]

Did you lose a bet or something, Why are you wearing the Moron-iho avatar?

Yea since im a non-hater of Mourinho I have to wear this... but only for a couple more days. Good old Kangaroooo... ;)

actually tomorrow is the last day of this lovely avatar. Its gotten a few comments around the community thats for sure. Lol.

[arsenalgirl30016]

Yea since im a non-hater of Mourinho I have to wear this... but only for a couple more days. Good old Kangaroooo... ;)

actually tomorrow is the last day of this lovely avatar. Its gotten a few comments around the community thats for sure. Lol.
Come on rgrayson-'fess up and tell him the whole truth! You are actually carrying Mourinho's love child and you talk every night on the phone......and that he actually ends every conversation by saying "I won the Champions League-wanna see my trophy?" :) ;)

[Cannon]

Wow, do you guys really think he won't be able to play in the WC? That would really suck for him. He's always talked about retiring after that. I mean, okay, Domenech obviously doesn't like him, but the fact remains that there's no one ATM who can take his place. Coaches who let personal issues affect the team really piss me off.

Note: This post is in no way biased by my lustful obsession over Bobby... :p

It is a shame for Bobby but might be positive for the club. We could certainly use a rested Bobby. Its not like Pires is getting any younger.

Domenech is just lucky that France have a fairly easy group because its not like they've been playing well since he took over. 5 draws (2 in WCQ) and only 2 wins(Cyprus and Faroe Islands). :rolleyes:

[fox point fury]

Is anyone else wondering why Super Bob doesn't seem to be getting any support from his peers? I mean, if this really has nothing to do with on-field performance and is just a grudge or personal disagreement why isn't anyone standing up for him? What happened to all that Musketeer crap we used to hear about him, Paddy, Titi and Wiltord? It's not like France is even doing anything remarkable right now so why not lobby to get one of the best players on the pitch?

[Rima067]

Is anyone else wondering why Super Bob doesn't seem to be getting any support from his peers? I mean, if this really has nothing to do with on-field performance and is just a grudge or personal disagreement why isn't anyone standing up for him? What happened to all that Musketeer crap we used to hear about him, Paddy, Titi and Wiltord? It's not like France is even doing anything remarkable right now so why not lobby to get one of the best players on the pitch?


I'll tell you why, he talks to the press about everything and not to whomever there's a problem with.


Ludo Giuly said his and Domenech's disagreements, he was referring to Pires specifically, not Domenech, that they should only be between "four eyes and two men".

Henry, when asked about Barthez being unhappy by a French interview .. here, wait, here's the translation from the interview:

********

Henry : No, no, no, it's a change in your life style, meaning it was different before. Sometimes you have to start from new bases, and accept the rules of the new coach [Domenech] and try to go on. After this, many things have been said, a lot of leaks in the press happened, but the most important is to build a team and go on with it.


[Question from the reporter]: Fabien Barthez himself said he was in doubt, but finally decided to stay...

Henry: It's good news for the team and supporters. About what Fabien said, i think it was a reaction to the global atmosphere in the team : many players retiring, the change in life style, a new beginning... I think Fabien wanted to talk about this, but after, many other things have been said. It's really a pity, but us, now, we have to focus on the matter at hand, saturday against Israel.
********

Pires is far from one of the best players on the pitch - at least what his performances w/ France have been proving. Giuly came back from injury and Dhorasoo got a deserved call up finally, and they were amazing in the last Les Bleus match. So, w/o Pires, honestly, so far so good. AND, we're getting better.

I mean, when Domenech first started as coach there were problems and many people were unhappy, some senior players spoke to the press, but they just said a sentence about- like, Gallas said he was unhappy to be playing in a full back role instead of hs natural CB position, but he conceded he'll have to go the route of Thuram and play that way if he wants to be in the team. Pires, talks and talks and talks, and by talks, I mean bitches and complains and it doesn't stop AND, it doesn't even seem that he confronts anyone about the actual problem.

Also, this is one of the most senior players n the team, he's causing a lot of problems. This does not help the team, especially one with a lot of inexperienced players who need someone to guide them in the team. Plus, the petulant behaviour of wearing a different sponser when he was doing a Les Bleus interview on tv... isn't that what a child does? This is a man in his 30s! Ugh, he infuriates me. Just when I start to like him again he shows what an immature jackass he is.

Plus, don't forget he's not the same player for Les Bleus that he is for Arsenal. While Henry has been underperforming for Les Bleus, he at least has scored a goal and made an assist in the past 3 matches. Plus, on the plus side for Henry, with Trezeguet ( back from a long injury), Henry is a different player and becomes more useful. Thus, his assist for Trez in the last Les Bleus match.


Les Bleus have played better without him and things actually have calmed down in the camp without Pires.

If Les Bleus play as well as they did in the Sweden match, I say good riddance.

*By the way, if anyone wants to read the full interview of Henry: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3651239&postcount=4 I also have the audio link in that thread (it's in French)