International Canaries.

[Canaryboy]

Maybe I just look back on the "good old days" because I was a kid, and perhaps as I've aged I have lost some excitement. Maybe things are no different now. But I do know that we are getting our lowest attendances in the new Wembley, so people are voting with their feet / wallets. They just aren't interested in the national team right now?

 

[eatonparkboy]

Ok, let's go smash them 20-0, knacker the players, get a couple of injuries. Nobody is forcing you to go to the games, what the hell do you expect playing against San Marino?

Also I assume you're referring to Raheem Sterling there - well I say good on him for speaking up if he didn't think he was 100% to play. Rather that than give a half assed performance. He's only 19 for christ sake. Far too many footballers have been ruined from playing too much too young. If he wants a break, give him it.

Now you are being obtuse. No-one has suggested 20-0 or that players knacker themselves. But if any doesn't play properly or with intent because they are worried about an injury than don't bother going with the squad. I expect a game against San Marino to be played without fear of losing and the intent of enjoying good attacking football with the object of scoring as many as possible.

And if I may paraphrase you, Sterling's opponent was "only a barman for Christ's sake". I wonder if Emlyn Hughes, another Liverpool player would have not wanted to play for his country because he claimed tiredness?

And are there really many players whose careers have been ruined from playing too much too young?

 

[splutcho]

Michael Owen for starters. Wayne Rooney never became the player he could have been.

Was the game against San Marino played with fear of losing?  I literally have no idea what you even mean by that. We won 5-0, but we were afraid to lose. We didn't get out of their half, but we were afraid of losing? Why would you use more energy than you need to win a game against San Marino? There is literally no point.

 

[splutcho]

And the argument that the players don't care has been invented by those that can't seem to accept we're not that good, in my opinion. There has been nothing in any game in the last 5 years that has made me think the players don't care.

 

[Canaryboy]

Italy only beat San Marino 4-0 in 2013. 

We beat them 8-0 away in that year, and 5-0 at home the previous year.

They don't concede more than 10 very often, Netherlands were the last to do it a few years ago. 

 

[Canaryboy]

And the argument that the players don't care has been invented by those that can't seem to accept we're not that good, 

I think that we've had much more technically limited teams in the past who have achieved greater things and that a large part of the problem is that everybody is talking down the team all the time, including Roy Hodgson, and especially the media.

Norwich fans would lambaste Hughton for downplaying our chances and talking about the strength of the opposition, and in my opinion his negativity spread throughout the squad and the fans. But I see exactly the same thing with England. If the fans, media and manager are resigned to us not achieving anything - then how are the players supposed to feel? We even had the head of the FA making the slit throat gesture when the draw was made. 

Perhaps in that respect Venables and Hoddle were England's Paul Lambert's, and Hodgson has been England's Hughton. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

Michael Owen for starters. Wayne Rooney never became the player he could have been.

Was the game against San Marino played with fear of losing?  I literally have no idea what you even mean by that. We won 5-0, but we were afraid to lose. We didn't get out of their half, but we were afraid of losing? Why would you use more energy than you need to win a game against San Marino? There is literally no point.

Yes! James Milner as the base of a diamond against waiters, students, furniture movers? If we didn't get out of their half then we didn't need to protect our half at all. If that isn't fear then what is? But we aren't going to agree on this one. We are obviously looking at it from opposite ends of the glass.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I think that we've had much more technically limited teams in the past who have achieved greater things and that a large part of the problem is that everybody is talking down the team all the time, including Roy Hodgson, and especially the media.

Norwich fans would lambaste Hughton for downplaying our chances and talking about the strength of the opposition, and in my opinion his negativity spread throughout the squad and the fans. But I see exactly the same thing with England. If the fans, media and manager are resigned to us not achieving anything - then how are the players supposed to feel? We even had the head of the FA making the slit throat gesture when the draw was made. 

Perhaps in that respect Venables and Hoddle were England's Paul Lambert's, and Hodgson has been England's Hughton. 

If, unfortunately not frequently any more, I had gone to an away match watching City, talking up the opposition and how we should be wary, then I would have taken a 0-0 draw every time. But I didn't. I bigged us up especially to opposition supporters, didn't leave before the end, even if were getting hammered, because I expected us to score. It may seem foolish but it is just the positive way I look at sport in particular.