Monday, August 18, 2008

Jonathan Glassgate

The BBC article on England's training for their upcoming friendly with the Czech Republic is pretty standard stuff. Ashton and Carrick are hurt. Bent and Crouch are off. Ho hum.

But, hello?, what's this with Jonathan Woodgate?

The 28-year-old defender was excused a session at Arsenal's London Colney facilities because of his history of fitness problems.

What's this? He's excused, not because he's hurt, but because he gets hurt a lot? What, he gets hurt so easily that he might get a knock in training? Whaaaa?! Couldn't they at least give him one of those "don't hit me" red jerseys quarterbacks wear?

Now, certainly, Woodgate has a history of injury problems at Newcastle and Real Madrid. And he has a wide, if perhaps unfair, reputation for being fragile. But he's avoided those issues for the most part his last two seasons with Middlesbrough and Tottenham. So I guess this caution is for his injury problems from years back?

Why is Jonathan Glassgate even on the squad? If you can't risk him in training, why risk him in a friendly? Jonathan assures the staff that he will be available against the Czechs. You know, because he's not actually hurt or anything. Just, um, resting up. Kicking back. Taking it easy. Avoiding any unnecessary risk is all.

Spurs supporters, currently licking their wounds after a comprehensive loss to Middlesbrough to start the season, are counting on a back line anchored by Mr. Glassgate and Ledley King (who has his own, and more recent, history of injury)...

Good luck with that! (Spurs supporters may feel free to have at me for the Carling Cup Final. Johnny certainly wasn't hurt that day.)

9 comments:

BentPav said...

I applaud Woodgate's decision not to train with the England squad. He needs to be fit for Spurs which has to be his # 1 priority. I am sure all Spurs supporters would agree with that as Woody was our one bright spot in an otherwise dismal Saturday in Boro. Michael Dawson looked poor and was responsible for both (Actually all 3 if you count the disallowed goal which was a shocking decision). We need King and Woody together and some experience to cover them. A DM as well and I am chuffed to bits. And yes, it looks like my name will be changing shortly. Ungrateful Bulgarian. Its funny how Man U was always his dream. Funny also is the fact Robbie Keane had a dream to play for Celtic until Liverpool became a more convenient dream to have. I am bitter. Cheers!

Email us at said...

Berba, I thought Tom Fiftystone was your CDM?

Unknown said...

Keith: around here, we prefer the term "Tom Tubblestone"

BentPav said...

I rate Tommy Hudd. (BTW he looks quite fit so the Fiftystone windup is just plain foolish). I think he deserves a runout as we cannot play Jenas and Modric together as they both want to attack. Ramos knows Tommy can pass both long and short with great precision yet I dont think he trusts him to really sit back and cover. TH needs to prove he can get stuck in.

BentPav said...

Lingering, dont worry. We will groom TH and he will help us become a solid 5th then you can come sniffing around and unsettle him. Bitter bitter bitter Spur supporter. So glad football is back. This torture is beautiful. I might even watch FSC Canada or whatever that show is with that Scotish ponce tonight.

sublicon said...

How are we so sure that when they say "fitness problems" they are referring to him being injury prone. What if he's literally not fit to do the job?

Supposedly Capello has been telling players to lose weight, maybe there's an issue on that end that he hasn't resolved to Capello's liking?

The Likely Lad said...

boring. guys who are injury-prone don't train as often as their more sturdy counterparts?!? No way.

"we talking about practice?? practice?? -A.I.

BackBergtt said...

mlk has a dream and gets shot, ronaldo and berbatov have dreams and are still walking around being douchebags. there is no god

jjf3 said...

nice job guys - getting on DS and SBI this season...any other plans for world domination coming up?

Congrats