Too much football?

[PSumbler]

Hearing the whinging from Solskjaer on the weekend about how unfair it is they have to play twice a week I have to say that Wales game this evening just seems pointless to me.

I get friendlies when they are no competitive games to be played but we have Nations League next week and an international friendly behind closed doors just feels like a fixture for the sake of it?

 

[JackFish]

Yeah it's stupid. I like the Nations League and fine with that happening instead of the usual friendlies, and I get the need to fit three games in for the teams who couldn't play the playoffs in March, but I have no idea why the rest of us are all playing friendlies.

 

[PSumbler]

Yeah it's stupid. I like the Nations League and fine with that happening instead of the usual friendlies, and I get the need to fit three games in for the teams who couldn't play the playoffs in March, but I have no idea why the rest of us are all playing friendlies.

Must be for the gate receipt money....

Oh... :lol:

 

[Dr. Winston]

I get maybe having a couple of International friendlies before a tournament to get a squad into shape, but games like this are just pointless.

Can't see friendlies as a thing existing an awful lot longer, not if the bigger clubs get their way and they probably will. Enough players get withdrawn from them as it is.

 

[Builthjack]

They are forced to play these friendlies. Just play the second team to give them experience. Its quote simple.

 

[MrSwerve]

Why not ban international friendlies? It would actually make international football interesting and maybe throw up some surprises, lesser teams who gel quicker may cause plenty of upsets. A bit like Iceland at the Euros.

When I was internationals these days it usually feels like a reserves game.

 

[Cooperman]

England were due to play a friendly against New Zealand but it was postponed for obvious reasons. Plan B was a hastily arranged alternative versus RoI. Bonkers

As an aside our very own Ryan Manning is a late call up to the Irish squad.

 

[LeonWasTheDog's]

Hearing the whinging from Solskjaer on the weekend about how unfair it is they have to play twice a week I have to say that Wales game this evening just seems pointless to me.

I get friendlies when they are no competitive games to be played but we have Nations League next week and an international friendly behind closed doors just feels like a fixture for the sake of it?

I think they're pointless, but I bet the coaching team value them as they spend so little time with the national squads. The players will be happy though - always an honour to play for your country. I only got as far a school boy level, but i'd have bitten someone's hand off for the chance to play in a game like tonight's.

 

[PSumbler]

Hearing the whinging from Solskjaer on the weekend about how unfair it is they have to play twice a week I have to say that Wales game this evening just seems pointless to me.

I get friendlies when they are no competitive games to be played but we have Nations League next week and an international friendly behind closed doors just feels like a fixture for the sake of it?

I think they're pointless, but I bet the coaching team value them as they spend so little time with the national squads. The players will be happy though - always an honour to play for your country. I only got as far a school boy level, but i'd have bitten someone's hand off for the chance to play in a game like tonight's.

To an extent I agree with your last point but I think many players up and down the country have shown over the past 10years (or more) that it isn't seen as the same honour to play for your country as you describe

At lower league level it will be but for many, they don't have that loyalty IMO