why didn't we just pull him out of the squad from the beginning, seeing as he was still recuperating from the injury? I feel if McClown does jab Gerrard, Rafa should just issue a sick note next time. we've not had the best of luck with internationals, I remember Jamie Redknapp used to get injured playing for England then be out of the team until just before the next round of internationals then he'd get picked - and play, and get injured again. Substitute Harry Kewell for the 21st century version
In a move absolutely no-one saw coming, Steven Gerrard has been declared fit for Saturday. Amazing.......
McClaren put Gerrard in a terrible position. He says, "we will leave it up to Steven." So Gerrard looks like a bad guy if he doesn't want to risk injury for his country. If Rafa left it up to Gerrard, he would have played against Sunderland and Derby. But thats not whats best for Steven or the team. McClaren is just desperate not to lose his job.
sadly, though, it is the written law that the national team manager can call up whomever he wants. and with wins desperately needed and no fat frank, it was a foregone conclusion that he was going to play. and let's be honest, it is a broken f*cking toe!! it isn't as if he is just coming back from a metatarsal fracture. both terry and lampard broke toes in the preseason, continually took injections, and neither one of them were/are hobbled by them today. I've broken toes over the course of my career, and never once did I need an injection, let alone have to miss a training session on account of said injuries. Stevie G will be fine if he plays with a broken toe.
Yeah, he put Gerrard in a position that says "Hey it's up to you but if you don't play the English people will think that it's your fault that we lost"
We all know how good Stevie is, but are you telling me that after Fat Frank, there's no other midfielder from England good enough to step up and play? That's a joke.
At first I thought you were right, but then I tried to think of someone who came somewhat close. But I can't, especialy with Hargreaves now on the injury list. Jenas is the closest in terms of where he plays on the pitch. The only problem there is that he's very crap. I suppose Reo Coker could do a job, but again he's not so good. The only person I can think of that has any experience in midfield who's any good is Carrick, (though I still can't help thinking I'm missing someone). All that said I don't really care. Since the little love affair between Becks, Ericsson and the FA a few years ago, I've lost all interest in the National team. I really hope Gerrard leaves them in the lerch. Bring back Gazza I say.