I was in two minds when Foster announced his retirement. I don't think anyone should make themselves unavailable for their country as personally would say it SHOULD be the highest honour for a player. But on the flip-side, it sounded like he was misled by the management, saying he would get a game, but then they just went and played Hart anyway. If you travel all those miles, away from your family, just to sit on the bench (or in the stands) in every game, you do start wondering what is the point. You never get the chance to prove yourself at that top level, seeing them play the same player every game! Although I didn't agree with his choice, I could understand it.
I agree with you Kev. I can understand his point of view, but at the same time if he chooses to make himself unavailable for selction, then that should be it. Not come back for another go later. I seem to remember Chris Sutton saying he wouldn't play for England B, and consequently got himself blacklisted from any England duties whatsoever
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...ants-after-Rafa-Benitez-Chelsea-outburst.html The plot is well and truly gone.
A genial fellow named Rafa Was appointed an interim gaffer He wasn't aware A large Russian bear Had bowled him an absolute jaffa
Depends how you do it in my opinion. If you retire in good standing like Scholes or Shearer, a few fans will grumble but you will generally get a good reaction if you come back. I think the fans would be firmly against Foster to start with though, and he would have to earn their respect from scratch.
I wonder what the real reason is that he is suddenly available for selection is though. In my opinion, there is more competition now for an England keeper than there was before when he was involved. The cynic in me wonders whether he might be after a move, and being classed as an 'England keeper' might add bit to his fee and his wages. I realise our keeper Ruddy, has been out injured and will have to fight to get his club place back before his international place, but I have every confidence that he will do this. I don't think there would be too many arguments from neuterals that he is a ruddy good keeper. Personally my top 4 English keepers would be Hart, Ruddy, Forster and Buckland
According to Steve Clarke, it's because now his kids are at school, he sees less of them so the extra time away with England won't be such a big a deal as it was.
They are closer to the Conference relegation zone than we are to missing out on the playoffs. #justsaying
What the hell is going on here? 7% interest on loans. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...-5m-loss-as-debt-rises-to-83m-91466-32678004/ and then: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21631486
Also I remember reading somewhere Foster didn't like the goalkeeping coach Capello employed...usual player power to an extent.
Knew it was due to be heard after several adjournments. Be interesting to see if guilty how the sentence compares with our centre forward.