Paul Parker Article

England shortage exposed

Sat Nov 14 08:35AM

I'm not a fan of mid-season friendlies at the best of times, but England's money-spinner against Brazil in the Middle East is plain crazy.

And I imagine that's the view of most Premier League managers too, who will be spending this weekend fretting over those players who have travelled to the Middle East.

There are no footballing reasons to travel so far to play, even if it is against Brazil. It's purely about plumping up the FA's coffers and building the Premier League's image abroad.

Fabio Capello will learn little from the trip, although what he will already have gathered is that he is desperately short in the right-back department.

Injury to Glen Johnson and Luke Young's 'retirement' mean Wes Brown will start by default, but he is far from the ideal selection at this point in time.

The Manchester United man has only just returned from injury and is not back to his best, yet he will get the chance to pit his wits against the mighty Brazil.

That he does reveals how short England are in that position.

It's difficult to think of another right-back who deserves to go to the World Cup at the moment. Probably Gary Neville is third on Capello's list, but to bring him back to the international fold would be to take a step backwards.

The shortage presented a great opportunity to Young, but the Aston Villa defender opted not to take it. That may have been for personal reasons, and I am in no position to comment on that, but I do know it is a shame.

I went to the World Cup in 1990 as England's back-up right-back, yet ended up playing six out of the seven games.

Young could well have done the same thing in South Africa and for a player who can't even get regular football for his club at the moment, that would have been a huge boost.

- - -

Ireland have been treated terribly by FIFA, but the perfect way to stick two fingers up at them will be to beat France over two legs and win through to the World Cup finals.

Ireland's record under Giovanni Trapattoni has been brilliant and, such has been their progress under the Italian, they fully deserve a ticket to South Africa.

France do not. They have a coach who is hugely unpopular, they do not play as a team and they travel badly, yet they are a big name, with big name players, who are essential for the marketability of next summer's tournament.

So FIFA seem to have done their best to make sure France, like Portugal, will be there by seeding the play-off draw.

That was unfair on the Irish. You can't make things up as you go along; it's not Sunday league football.

But Trapattoni's side, with their energy and passion, still have what it takes to edge the unpredictable French and ensure they will be spending next summer in South Africa. Let's hope they do.

Comments1 - 30 of 36
First
Previous
1
2
Next
Last

i hope Ireland stuff the frogs... it was such an unfair decision to seed the play-offs.. how does it make sense? what was the point in group qualification if you're then going to practically hand a free ticket to the losers?.. if argentina, portugal AND France get through..there will be a massive injustice...
good luck to the lions this weekend!! Brazil are always a tough cookie to crack and having half a team isn't going to help, but i'm predicting a 1-0 win.. Brazil arent the team they used to be by a long shot
From bigjeffrules on Sat Nov 14 09:13AM
Report abuse
ahahhaah!whether u like it or not,France will qualify over Ireland.
have some life Parker.
I m Mike in China.
From himike880 on Sat Nov 14 09:15AM
Report abuse
Go to E Bay and see this item for sale
ALL FUNDS go to
HELP FOR HEROES
Item no:- 180430047055
If you don't want to bid, pass this onto someone who might. If you know a newspaper contact, pass it on - It's our way of making a difference.
PLEASE HELP OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS
From allotmentpoole on Sat Nov 14 09:25AM
Report abuse
I am a football follower who like most football loving people at times wonder about what a good footballer is. Does Parker think that Johnson and Young are better than Brown? I don't think so; Brown played right back for Manchester United and they won two championships and the European Champions League. What has Johnson helped his clubs, present and former, win? One FA Cup. Surely for people to suggest that Brown cannot play well against Brazil at right back is not fair and is some misguided thought. Brown has more than 200 Premiership games and more than 60 champions league games under his belt. I think he deserves better, especially from you Parker.
From lamecks2002uk on Sat Nov 14 09:35AM
Report abuse
paul parker the only pundit on yahoo that speaks any sense! well said fella, i also think ireland will win today, with the help of the irish fans at croke park, and will get a draw in france. the french are a spent force
From maccas1976 on Sat Nov 14 09:37AM
Report abuse
Your right about the England friendly with Brazil, tiotal;ly unecessary interruption to the Premiership. Can';t agree on Gary Neville though, if Beckham can still be considered for England so should Gary Neville. I don't suppoprt any international football team as I think they should be abolished, but fairs fair Paul Neville is still a very handy man to have in your squad and so is Phil Neville.
From redgeoff on Sat Nov 14 10:29AM
Report abuse
I hope Ireland go through. For too long has France been feared and praised because of previous success. I would love to see a team like Ireland with so much energy and not much to lose at the world cup, it's bound to spice things up.
From psybeardon on Sat Nov 14 10:31AM
Report abuse
I hope Ireland go through. For too long has France been feared and praised because of previous success. I would love to see a team like Ireland with so much energy and not much to lose at the world cup, it's bound to spice things up.
From psybeardon on Sat Nov 14 10:31AM
Report abuse
Does Yahoo not bother monitoring their comment system.
I hate SPAm and there should not be any.
Why does Yahoo let it through.
From wombatsrubbishemail on Sat Nov 14 10:36AM
Report abuse
Little Parker summed it up well when saying he went as back up in 1990 and ended up starting six games.Too many times players have been named in squads with little chance of playing when it comes to the crunch and have been overlooked by better players not used to playing in that position.Think of Gerrard,Batty,Hargreaves all played right back in major tournaments ahead of recognised players in that position.Brown should already be pencilled in.The chances are He would be needed in the course of a hopefully long tournament
From john.5.smith on Sat Nov 14 10:45AM
Report abuse
ahahahah. I'm French. Yes we don't like Domenech but when a man played a world cup final (2006) we have to respect him !!! It's crazy to read that France is not a team or this team travel badly !!! We have players who can win a match with their genie : Henry, Anelka, Gourcuff, Benzema... more ? Yes.. Malouda, Gignac... We have fun in France when we read a lot of comments from Irland. Don't stop !!! ahahah
From proyer85 on Sat Nov 14 11:08AM
Report abuse
just leave parker alone sometimes he is confused and do not know what to say, to be honest i dont get him on this article, brown is far better down
johnson and young,brown was the first choice before he got injured and was
playing well.To have a player like brown in your team is a plus for you
bcos he play as full back and also as center back you will always have an oppition for the team
From shesheaimar on Sat Nov 14 11:27AM
Report abuse
the capitalist way of franshising the shirt to the most most popular player from the most supported club, and not the best player, or most inform players will cost the england the world cup, not if we stop and check reality, IS IT SPORT OR ENTERSPORT, THE PUNTERS PAYS THEIR MONEY AND TAKE THEIR PICK. HELP CHELSEA FAN, NOT CUSTOMERS,
From kremlemway on Sat Nov 14 11:27AM
Report abuse
Ah Ah. A guy speaking of "fair" and "unfair" stuff tell us who does et who doesn't deserve a place in SA (and as usual, an english speaking team victory would be the fair thing).
My friend, the winner will deserve the ticket, and it will be fair ( just learn the basic).
Another typical piece of british "fair" comment. Ah Ah Ah.
From x_arnaud on Sat Nov 14 11:30AM
Report abuse
Wes Brown and Gary Neville are more than adequate replacements...fantastic players and even should be considered as worthy successors. We are blessed with fantastic Right backs and Johnson is one of them...but Neville and Brown are as good and have more experience on the big stage.
From crystalred on Sat Nov 14 11:39AM
Report abuse
Yes the friendly against brazil will do nobody any good.ride on parker
From ikyaloh on Sat Nov 14 11:49AM
Report abuse
Good comments Paul.
Can't agree about Neville, same as redgeoff. I agree a pointless game.
From keyjor on Sat Nov 14 11:54AM
Report abuse
come on Ireland.......beat the frogs.......
From joeyashley25 on Sat Nov 14 12:25PM
Report abuse
frogs are down and the Irish come up laughing. Go Ireland
From joeyashley25 on Sat Nov 14 12:26PM
Report abuse
hey Mike in China......stick it
From joeyashley25 on Sat Nov 14 12:27PM
Report abuse
England V Brazil.... why is it happening ?.... Futile
From joeyashley25 on Sat Nov 14 12:29PM
Report abuse
Actually Im ok with a friendly at this point..
From andrewyoung63 on Sat Nov 14 12:50PM
Report abuse
I suppose it gives a chance for fringe players to play but i must agree it is a bit of a futile exercise at this stage of the season
From phil.lee32 on Sat Nov 14 01:10PM
Report abuse
paul parker half sucked malteser head talks uter dog turd
From leedane76 on Sat Nov 14 02:00PM
Report abuse
Spain v Argentina is the big game to watch......
From packard56bell on Sat Nov 14 02:37PM
Report abuse
I think this friendly is very important..it shows weather our england side has anything to compare to brazils...it shows us whether we really have a chance in the world cup...looking forwrd to spain - argentina
From xxstarxx on Sat Nov 14 03:03PM
Report abuse
Very poor article, Qatar is threeand half hours from London and Doha Airport to the hotel 20 min. Hardly a lot of stress to travel too.
Qatar has invested millions in sports facilities. The Middle East is a major revenue sourse for Premier leauge, so the match as created a lot of interest.There are more than million ex pats from UK and India in Qatar so this is a big game for them
If you think the England defence can stop Brazil scoring as England do not have a goal keeper....3-2 to Brazil
From captainbobpearcey on Sat Nov 14 03:05PM
Report abuse
If we are desperate nowImagine what it must have been like in 1990 when Paul Parker was all we had as back-up. You can´t have world class players in reserve unless you are extremely lucky. I don´t think there is a position in the team where people can agree on "the best reserve" let alone the third reserve (except right midfield where we all seem to agree Beckham is a cert third reserve! Sometimes you have to make do (like in 90 Parker) and if we had a better right back back then we would have a better chance of winning it than we do this year!
From jayprice1 on Sat Nov 14 04:59PM
Report abuse
Brown & Neville, two experienced players, exactly what is required in big tournaments. Young or untried players unless immensly talented should be left to mature for the next finals. Most countries would fall over themselves to have Brown with Neville. Why is a player, no matter how good, a backward step because of age, just watch Brazil's 36yr old midfield playmaker to-day.
From farrelldavid39 on Sat Nov 14 04:59PM
Report abuse
You obviously have no idea what your talking about, ITS A FIVE HOUR FLIGHT TO QATAR! Thats not going to jet-lag or kill anyone.
From fnsayer on Sat Nov 14 06:23PM
Report abuse