The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

Jdbwolverines · 12-04-2008, 09:02 PM

If players want to play for the national team, let them. Its not up for the clubs to decide this for them. If they don't want to play for the national team, no one should make them either. Take the US National Basketball team for example. In the early 2000s, playing for the national team had lost its appeal and a number of superstars decided that they did not want to be a part of it. Te US then lost at the 2002 World Championships and in the 2004 Olympics. It seems that many of the superstars kind of took this as a slap in face/ challenge to US basketball. In turn, a bunch of superstars stepped up and played on the team for the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. If the players feel passionate about it, they will play. If they don't, you don't want them playing anyways.

I also think more could be done with the scheduling to help reduce the time crunch on players. More emphasis should be put on games and qualifying in the summer. They player are used to playing at least one match a week during the season, they can play more often than what they do in the off season. UEFA, or other respective governing bodies, can even dictate a few weeks off here or there during the club seasons to allow for international duty. Also, why play seemingly useless friendlies in the middle of the season. Play them for tuneups for a major tournament, but don't play them just for whatever. I think just some small changes could make a big difference.

12-04-2008, 09:02 PM	#11
Jdbwolverines Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Trading: (1)	Re: The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thr If players want to play for the national team, let them. Its not up for the clubs to decide this for them. If they don't want to play for the national team, no one should make them either. Take the US National Basketball team for example. In the early 2000s, playing for the national team had lost its appeal and a number of superstars decided that they did not want to be a part of it. Te US then lost at the 2002 World Championships and in the 2004 Olympics. It seems that many of the superstars kind of took this as a slap in face/ challenge to US basketball. In turn, a bunch of superstars stepped up and played on the team for the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. If the players feel passionate about it, they will play. If they don't, you don't want them playing anyways. I also think more could be done with the scheduling to help reduce the time crunch on players. More emphasis should be put on games and qualifying in the summer. They player are used to playing at least one match a week during the season, they can play more often than what they do in the off season. UEFA, or other respective governing bodies, can even dictate a few weeks off here or there during the club seasons to allow for international duty. Also, why play seemingly useless friendlies in the middle of the season. Play them for tuneups for a major tournament, but don't play them just for whatever. I think just some small changes could make a big difference.