ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

The World Cup Effect

Another thread on this site got me thinking on what effect the 2010 World Cup (June 11 to July 11) might possibly have on players' performances during this season.

Will we see players who are regulars in their country's squads and those whose teams have qualified, playing warily towards the end of the season to avoid getting injured?

For Everton, this list of players could include (depending on qualification): Howard, Cahill, Yobo, Yak, Bily, Heitinga, Pienaar. Will these players give 100% for matches in February, March, April? Will they care about the FA Cup/Europa Cup ?

Or, will this create a positive motivation for fringe players trying to break into their respective national teams — players like Baines, Jags, Rodwell, Anichebe, Saha, Arteta, Hibbo, Ossie (OK, I made up the last two up — couldn't help myself!).

Of course, this is not only going to effect us, but more so the top teams (Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, Villa) than the lower ones.

For this reason, may we actually see some surprises in the league this season?
Ajay Gopal, Bangalore, India Posted 04/09/2009 at 15:22:10

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Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 05/09/2009 at 01:50:55

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Yeah these international breaks are quite dull.

Lloyd Sloan
2 Posted 05/09/2009 at 03:35:55

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"Of course, this is not only going to affect us, but more so the top teams (Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, Villa) than the lower ones."

I don’t really like the connotation of this post ... so are we a toppy, a lowwy or an in-betweeny? Mark Hughes would love you!

Guy Hastings
3 Posted 05/09/2009 at 09:48:30

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Howard, Cahill, Yobo, a fit Yak (probably), Bily (probably), Heitinga, Pienaar are shoo-ins for their national sides. Barring injury to any of Capello’s Slovenia/Croatia games squad, what he’s chosen is what he’ll take to SA, with the addition of Ferdinand and, possibly, Joe Cole.

I think it’s highly unlikely he’d take a half-season Jags and don’t envisage him taking Rodwell as Sven did Walcott. Baines’s form last season got him a call-up but no game and a fit Arteta couldn’t make Spain’s squad. My concern is not the games they play before they go, it’s how they play when they return.

Steve Pugh
4 Posted 05/09/2009 at 11:49:38

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My worry is the number of transfer requests we get when they return.

Iain Love
5 Posted 05/09/2009 at 12:43:37

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When does Arteta qualify to play for England?

James Boden
6 Posted 05/09/2009 at 13:53:17

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I personally hope none of our players are called up for England because you know something bad will happen. Secondly, I couldn’t give a fuck about the mercenary national side anyway so instead I will be cheering the other teams with our players.

Brian Lawlor
7 Posted 05/09/2009 at 19:30:05

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No effect. They’re professionals. Look at Jags 100% commited and got injured even though we had a cup final coming up. The whole team won at Fulham (where we hadn’t won in the Prem) the week before the final.

This is a nonsense thread. We have far more important things to worry about.

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