I know its not about Pompey but just wondered if you had any thoughts about this and to help me understand something about the 'British' football team we would have at the Olympics next year. At the moment the only national team willing to let players play for the Olympic team is England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all stated that they will not allow there national players to play for the team. This is due to them being worried that being in the team will compromise their international football independence. I don't understand how this is the case? and i think it is a pitiful excuse. This comes especially after Gareth Bale has said today that he would want to play in the Olympics as Wales are unlikely to qualify for a major international tournament. There must be some other reason that they are not telling us and how by forming a team for a once off tournament compromise their independence? Don't get me wrong i'm really not that bothered about Olympic football and in my view it should not really be an Olympic sport, i just thought this was an interesting story at a time when the Pompey news is slowing down, it was a good distraction from takeover speculation etc for me and im not expecting to many comments. I just think having a British team in the olympics would be really good to watch but if it is just going to be full of English players what is the point.
I can't see how it would affect the non English players as they are all British, at the end of the day, and furthermore, to not allow them to play, on account of being British, but not English, would surely be illegal?
Lets face it, it would be England + Gareth Bale at Left mid unless they had quotas, which would just make it rubbish.
Ok so the majority would probably be English and this is probably why the other nations don't want to release their players, they would be embarrassed, but i think i could name a squad with a mixture of decent players. Remember they have to be under 23. Goalkeepers: Theres no real obvious choices could be from any of the nations i think, if anyone can suggest one? Defenders: Michah Richards (ENG) Chris Smalling (ENG) Kyle Walker (ENG) Danny Wilson (SCO) Chris Gunter (WAL) Neil Eardley (WAL) Craig Cathcart (NI) Midfielders: Jack Wilshere (ENG) Theo Walcott (ENG) Jordan Henderson (ENG) Marc Albrington (ENG) Jack Rodwell (ENG) Aaron Ramsey (WAL) Garath Bale (WAL) Andy King (WAL) Barry Bannan (SCO) Forwars: Daniel Sturridge (ENG) Danny Welbeck (ENG) Andy Carroll (ENG) Nathan Delfouneso (ENG) OK so most of the better players are English but i think there is a good mixture and this could work.
