Carra Quits England?

[Kenneth]

It's fair enough. He isn't one of the best 2 centre backs for England. His loss to the England team will be insignificant and most people wouldn't notice.

[Bob]

The England team are a joke.

Well in JC.

[disco]

The England team are a joke.

Well in JC.

As are the Welsh and Scottish teams

[DeeGame]

Carragher: Why I am quitting England Career
Jul 9 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


WHEN Jamie Carragher told Steve McClaren he was thinking of quitting international football, he felt the burden of a year of agonising lift from his shoulders.

McClaren, understandably concerned about the key Euro qualifiers ahead, asked the Liverpool defender to sleep on the decision.

In reality, Carragher has been doing precisely that for months, but he’s agreed to delay the inevitable.

This is not a knee jerk reaction by Carragher (although his recent omission in Estonia undoubtedly brought the current circumstances forward) but the consequence of a long period of careful consideration.

Carragher has been pondering his international future since the last World Cup, frustrated as a succession of England managers overlooked his claims for permanent first team status, while recognising younger blood was emerging and seemingly preferred by the current set-up.

His omission in favour of Ledley King in Estonia confirmed Carragher’s well established suspicions of where he stood on the international stage.

Too often he’s been shoved from pillar to post, or seen as the reliable substitute able to shift position at a moment’s notice.

At 29, the role of versatile deputy no longer appeals.

“There are a number of reasons why I’ve been thinking about this,” said Carragher.

“I first thought about it after the World Cup because I wondered how many chances I’d get for England at centre half.

“Then when Sol Campbell was out of the picture I thought I could put pressure on Rio Ferdinand for the other centre half position alongside John Terry.

“Given my form for Liverpool, I genuinely thought that was possible, but over the last 12 months players like Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King have played there ahead of me.

“I can’t really argue with that because they’re top drawer players. It’s not as if they’re Mickey Mouse defenders.

“Even in the last two games against Brazil and Estonia, England conceded just one goal, so people can argue the manager got his decision spot on.

“It’s just that from a purely personal point of view, it’s been disappointing because after some of my performances for Liverpool I thought I deserved a chance.

“I hoped I could come in, play out of my skin and do well enough to keep my place, not just for one game or two, but cement it.

“It was particularly disappointing for me when Rio was out against Estonia and I wasn’t picked.

“I thought I’d had a good season for Liverpool, especially helping us get to the Champions League final.

“Like any player I thought I deserved to play, but not doing so made the situation crystal clear to me.

“Everyone can see England are very strong in the central defensive department at the moment. There are a lot of world class players there and most of them are younger than me, have their best years ahead and will get better and better.

“I’m 29 now, and I have to accept if I’m not a regular starter now, I don’t think I ever will be.

“It’s going to be difficult for me to be seen as anything more than a squad player, and at this stage of my career that’s not what I’m interested in.

“Playing the odd game here and there isn’t enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role, but not now.

“Recently when I’ve been asked to play at full-back I’ve found it a lot more difficult than I did when was doing it for Liverpool.

“It’s a physically demanding position and I didn’t think I played well against Brazil.

“It’s more tiring than being a centre back, particularly when you’re not as used to it as I used to be. I think it would be a good time for me to step aside.

“Some of the younger defenders deserve their chance, like Joleon Lescott at Everton, or Stephen Taylor from Newcastle.”


McClaren is determined to keep Carragher involved, especially with King and Woodgate injury prone and Rio Ferdinand a yellow card away from a suspension in the qualifiers.

“If it’s an absolute emergency – and by that I mean if all available centre halves are out injured or there are suspensions - I probably won’t say no if I’m asked,” said Carragher.

“I’m not doing this to leave England in the lurch.”

Carragher is generous in his praise for the under siege England manager and insists he’d feel the same way no matter who was in charge.

“I want to stress this has nothing do would Steve McClaren,” he said.

“It wouldn’t have mattered who was the England manager, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’ve worked with Steve for five years as part of the England set-up.

“I have a great time working with him and a lot of the England coaches. I’m just thinking about this from a purely personal point of view.

“The reason I’m delaying a final decision is because I didn’t want people to think I have a bad attitude or I’m turning my back on the country at a bad time.”

England’s loss would undoubtedly be Liverpool’s gain. Rafa Benitez would be relieved a key member of his squad no longer has the distraction of energy-sapping international breaks.

That’s a factor which is also on Carragher’s mind.

“When you go away with England you get back to Liverpool on a Thursday and sometimes have a match early on Saturday,” he said.

“I’ve never liked the situation where I’ve not felt 100 per cent before a Liverpool match. Even if you don’t play in the international, going away and travelling can take it out of you.

“Leaving all that behind would be another reason for my decision and I’ll be happier when those breaks come around and I’ll be fresher for the Liverpool matches.

“Liverpool has always been my first priority, and having just signed a new four-year contract I want all my focus to be on the club, winning trophies here from now on.

“I’ve always said I want to stay at Liverpool for life, and I think not playing for England would help make that more realistic.

“It could add at least two more years on my career at the top level, and that’s uppermost in my mind.”

Echo

[simey85]

I'd love to rip this ***** head off....

"SO JAMIE CARRAGHER IS considering quitting international football because he does not feel he is getting the chances he deserves in an England shirt. Ah well. Apart from John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King, Steven Taylor, Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Wes Brown, they are struggling in the middle of defence. If Carragher pulls out, Steve McClaren, the head coach, will be in a right mess. Well, actually, he won’t. Carragher needs to be very careful. He is a brilliant, brave defender but he also seems to perform better for Liverpool than his national team. The football public did not rampage through the streets asking for Paul Scholes to change his mind when he quit England — and they certainly won’t if Carragher gives up. Jamie, there are players who are better than you and who deserve their place ahead of you. Get over it and beware. Turning your back on your country does not go down very well. Ever."


Who?
What a cock of a man. Carra has been treated horribley by England and i don't think anyone can blame him if he quit the international scene.

Laughable statement JC was sacraficed for England so other higher profile so called world class defenders would be accomadated, its a pity for England the fcukers can't defend but quite delightful for the rest of us when they crash out!

[Skillz]

Laughable statement JC was sacraficed for England so other higher profile so called world class defenders would be accomadated, its a pity for England the fcukers can't defend but quite delightful for the rest of us when they crash out!

Too right. that article was written by some knob who had got ahead of himself and presumed Carra had spat the dummy.

Carra has come out and explained his position, even admitting if in trouble he will come back and help out.

Carra = legend

Knob who wrote ridiculously stupid article = Ridiculously stupid knob:whatever:

[Shaggy]

Carragher: Why I am quitting England Career
Jul 9 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


WHEN Jamie Carragher told Steve McClaren he was thinking of quitting international football, he felt the burden of a year of agonising lift from his shoulders.

McClaren, understandably concerned about the key Euro qualifiers ahead, asked the Liverpool defender to sleep on the decision.

In reality, Carragher has been doing precisely that for months, but he’s agreed to delay the inevitable.

This is not a knee jerk reaction by Carragher (although his recent omission in Estonia undoubtedly brought the current circumstances forward) but the consequence of a long period of careful consideration.

Carragher has been pondering his international future since the last World Cup, frustrated as a succession of England managers overlooked his claims for permanent first team status, while recognising younger blood was emerging and seemingly preferred by the current set-up.

His omission in favour of Ledley King in Estonia confirmed Carragher’s well established suspicions of where he stood on the international stage.

Too often he’s been shoved from pillar to post, or seen as the reliable substitute able to shift position at a moment’s notice.

At 29, the role of versatile deputy no longer appeals.

“There are a number of reasons why I’ve been thinking about this,” said Carragher.

“I first thought about it after the World Cup because I wondered how many chances I’d get for England at centre half.

“Then when Sol Campbell was out of the picture I thought I could put pressure on Rio Ferdinand for the other centre half position alongside John Terry.

“Given my form for Liverpool, I genuinely thought that was possible, but over the last 12 months players like Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King have played there ahead of me.

“I can’t really argue with that because they’re top drawer players. It’s not as if they’re Mickey Mouse defenders.

“Even in the last two games against Brazil and Estonia, England conceded just one goal, so people can argue the manager got his decision spot on.

“It’s just that from a purely personal point of view, it’s been disappointing because after some of my performances for Liverpool I thought I deserved a chance.

“I hoped I could come in, play out of my skin and do well enough to keep my place, not just for one game or two, but cement it.

“It was particularly disappointing for me when Rio was out against Estonia and I wasn’t picked.

“I thought I’d had a good season for Liverpool, especially helping us get to the Champions League final.

“Like any player I thought I deserved to play, but not doing so made the situation crystal clear to me.

“Everyone can see England are very strong in the central defensive department at the moment. There are a lot of world class players there and most of them are younger than me, have their best years ahead and will get better and better.

“I’m 29 now, and I have to accept if I’m not a regular starter now, I don’t think I ever will be.

“It’s going to be difficult for me to be seen as anything more than a squad player, and at this stage of my career that’s not what I’m interested in.

“Playing the odd game here and there isn’t enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role, but not now.

“Recently when I’ve been asked to play at full-back I’ve found it a lot more difficult than I did when was doing it for Liverpool.

“It’s a physically demanding position and I didn’t think I played well against Brazil.

“It’s more tiring than being a centre back, particularly when you’re not as used to it as I used to be. I think it would be a good time for me to step aside.

“Some of the younger defenders deserve their chance, like Joleon Lescott at Everton, or Stephen Taylor from Newcastle.”


McClaren is determined to keep Carragher involved, especially with King and Woodgate injury prone and Rio Ferdinand a yellow card away from a suspension in the qualifiers.

“If it’s an absolute emergency – and by that I mean if all available centre halves are out injured or there are suspensions - I probably won’t say no if I’m asked,” said Carragher.

“I’m not doing this to leave England in the lurch.”

Carragher is generous in his praise for the under siege England manager and insists he’d feel the same way no matter who was in charge.

“I want to stress this has nothing do would Steve McClaren,” he said.

“It wouldn’t have mattered who was the England manager, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’ve worked with Steve for five years as part of the England set-up.

“I have a great time working with him and a lot of the England coaches. I’m just thinking about this from a purely personal point of view.

“The reason I’m delaying a final decision is because I didn’t want people to think I have a bad attitude or I’m turning my back on the country at a bad time.”

England’s loss would undoubtedly be Liverpool’s gain. Rafa Benitez would be relieved a key member of his squad no longer has the distraction of energy-sapping international breaks.

That’s a factor which is also on Carragher’s mind.

“When you go away with England you get back to Liverpool on a Thursday and sometimes have a match early on Saturday,” he said.

“I’ve never liked the situation where I’ve not felt 100 per cent before a Liverpool match. Even if you don’t play in the international, going away and travelling can take it out of you.

“Leaving all that behind would be another reason for my decision and I’ll be happier when those breaks come around and I’ll be fresher for the Liverpool matches.

“Liverpool has always been my first priority, and having just signed a new four-year contract I want all my focus to be on the club, winning trophies here from now on.

“I’ve always said I want to stay at Liverpool for life, and I think not playing for England would help make that more realistic.

“It could add at least two more years on my career at the top level, and that’s uppermost in my mind.”

Echo

[Morph]

He wouldn't have quit if he commanded a regular place. It's like me retiring from international football.

He's basically got in a strop cos he isn't getting in the side. Although it is good news for us.

he's not really tho is he, i'm sure you'll change your mind if/when you read the echo article

[Warren]

he's not really tho is he, i'm sure you'll change your mind if/when you read the echo article

Or listen to talksport

[REDSCOUSER]

We'll see how McCunt is gonna convince Carra to reverse his decision. The dickhead of course cares more about England getting results than what squad players feel.
Fook England, Carra to lead us to #19

[Pablo]

Link to the audio in case anyone wants to listen:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/videos-pictures/liverpool-audio/liverpool-fc-audio/