Normally I could care less about the English national team, but the exclusion of Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson from the ENT roster for the Portugal team has raised the hackles of Celtic supporters. Both players have shown what they can do on the European stage. They are international caliber players - this is beyond a doubt. I admit that at his age and with less than sucessful run in the England U-23's, Sutton would have been problematic. But Thompson's strong play, his free kicks and the fact that he is a left-sided player...England could afford to ignore him? To be honest, I hardly follow the EPL and since I am not that familiar with the players preferred over Sutton and Thompson, I can cannot really criticize the England manger. But certainly Martin O'Neill has an idea about who should have been selected and he had to restrain himself in his comments, but there can be no doubt he feels Thompson should have been in the team. the allegation that these players are in Scotland - and playing for CELTIC at that - weighted against them can never be dismissed out of hand. can anyone shed light on this?
Sutton as a targer man I would choose above heskey, but thats just me, ive seen sutton run some of the best defences in europe ragged and score some cracking goals, the volley against juve for example, but he was never going to be an england player again after telling them to *#*#*#*#*# off when they put him in the B team. Thompson im more surprised about, they have bugger all at the left wing position, they just play players there from cental middies to left backs to strikers with little success and with thommo being one of out absoloute diamonds in europe over the last couple of seasons I would have thought he would at least get a chance. Playing in scotland might have a lot to do with it because the people running the english game and the english media like to look down on our game, playing for celtic, i dont know, thats a fairly hefty charge and i wouldnt lay that at their door so much although im pretty sure the funny handshake brigade had some members in the FA if they cant get michael ball called up then they cant get thommo and sutton excluded.
Absolutely delighted Thompson was left out. He would add much needed balance to the England team. Really could be their missing link. Keep up the good work sven
Parkhead Faithful: Playing in scotland might have a lot to do with it because the people running the english game and the english media like to look down on our game, playing for celtic, i dont know, thats a fairly hefty charge and i wouldnt lay that at their door so much although im pretty sure the funny handshake brigade had some members in the FA if they cant get michael ball called up then they cant get thommo and sutton excluded. eugene: yeah, on re-reading what i wrote it makes it sound like i am putting the EFA in the same boat as the SFA. I am sure that England's Swedish manager did not leave out Sutton and Thommo because of sectarian reasons. I just think the EFA has no interest in strengthening the game, or any club in Scotland by picking their players.