Is it coincidence that so many players pull out of friendly games?

Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson is the latest player to pull out of the England squad to face Holland in tonight‘s friendly at Wembley.

He is just one of a long list of England players to have withdrawn from Stuart Pearce’s so called ‘experimental’ England side.

Genuine

It’s hard to tell if these players have genuine injuries or not because their clubs pull them out of the squads over a broken fingernail. There are exceptions of course with the likes of Darren Bent, who was desperately unlucky to sustain a long-term injury at the weekend.

Clubs

As far as I know it only really happens with English players. Clubs don’t seem to protect their foreign players as they do their English ones. Maybe it’s because the foreign players are more keen to represent their countries and tell the clubs that they want to play in friendly matches.

At the end of the day the clubs pay the players wages but surely the players should be making an effort to be in the England squad ahead of the European Championship in the summer?

Overlooked

If Stuart Pearce was naming an experimental squad as he claims for tonight’s game against Holland, he should have given more new players a chance to impress on the international stage. There are quite a few players that have impressed this season at smaller clubs but have been overlooked.

The Swansea front three is a good example. Danny Graham, Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair have played a key role in the Swans debut Premier League season. I’m sure all three players would have been delighted to be called up to the senior England team, even if it was only for a friendly game.

Graham has scored ten goals this season and at 26 isn’t exactly old. With England’s striking problems it wouldn’t have hurt to give him a chance. Norwich skipper Grant Holt has also scored ten times this season and was disappointed not to be selected in the squad. Maybe the striker’s chance has now gone.

Honour

England players pulling out of squads for friendly games injured is nothing new. It’s just amazing how quickly they recover to play for their club teams in their next game.

It should be a honour to represent your country. I’m sure some of the players who have pulled out are genuinely injured but I’m also sure that club bosses are protecting their own interests by their players not playing for their country.

Respect

You just have to ask yourself if Harry Redknapp or any other respected boss was in charge of the England team for this game would so many players have pulled out? I don’t think they would have done.

Players know that Stuart Pearce is just a stopgap while England try to wrestle Harry Redknapp away from his job at Tottenham. However this game could become more important if Pearce is allowed to continue in the job until after Euro 2012.

This game could help him decide which players he wants to take to Poland and Ukraine. One game won’t be enough to convince him of players qualities but it could firm up some things in his mind.

Competitive

I’m sure tonight’s game will be very competitive. Holland are one of the best teams in the world and it should be a good game for the fans. It’s just a shame that so many England players will be missing. I’m sure those players won’t be missing when the Euro 2012 squad is announced though.

Do players still see it as a honour to represent their country?