Gabriele Marcotti's daily diary: Nothing wrong with doing your time in the under 21s

3. While watching England's Under 21 side last night, the commentator made reference to the fact that James Milner has spent more than four years at Under 21 level without making an England appearance.  I think that's a good thing. 

Not because Milner is a bad player, but because the more international experience he gets, the more it will pay dividends in the future.  He's still just 22, best to let him mature at his own pace. 

If the last few years taught us anything it's that far too many players have been fast-tracked into the England side before they were ready (which basically means they spend a lot of time sitting on the bench or coming on for a few minutes at the end of meaningless friendlies).

Wayne Rooneys are few and far between.  Milner may or may not become an international calibre player, but the fact that he is taking the long, slow route to the top is a good thing.

2. Anybody who doubts whether football has a place at the Olympics should watch a re-run of yesterday's Brazil v Argentina semifinal.   

Sure, when someone from your own country wins a medal it's always exciting.  But there really aren't that many moments which really excite and rally all neutrals.  This was one of them.

1. The lengths to which clubs go to extract money from fans (and the things people are willing to buy) never ceases to amaze  If you go to http://www.safcpics.com/pictures_607784/Sunderland-AFC.html? you can buy a whole assortment of Trever Carson merchandise (he's Sunderland's fifth- choice - yes, FIFTH-CHOICE - goalkeeper, a guy who has yet to make a Premier League appearance).

You can buy a photograph of Carson standing in a half-full Stadium of Light (during the reserve match against Newcastle) while holding a football.  A 20 x 16 inch framed print will cost you £44.99.  Or you can have the same print made into a photo mug (£7.99) or even a T-Shirt (£14.99).

I'd love to hear if anybody (with the obvious exception of Carson's friends and relatives) has bought such items.  And, if so, what in God's Green Earth do they do with them.

Comments

[Andy]

I actually think Wayne Rooney was promoted too early as well. He's hardly been a blinding success at international level and hasn't learned the temperament needed to cope with international opponents like Italy or Portugal. His sending off in the last world cup is proof of his immaturity at this level.

A few more years in the U21s with a good coach might have produced a world class forward. Instead we have someone with undeniable talent struggling to get goals against mediocre opposition. Defoe is another one that could have used a few more years in the U21s. Again, he'll eventually be a great forward, but he missed out on the education U21 football would have given and is suffering because of it.
I think Joe Cole scores more often than Rooney.
The thing that puzzles me most though, is why Michael Owen has been dropped and labelled as past it at 28. He may not have the ball skills or the flair of Rooney, but he certainly scores more goals. Replacing him with Defoe seems more than a bit premature.

[Leigh Vernier]

A point to consider.
Exotic overseas player with fancy name - top star.
Young English tyro - reserve status.
Example: Reine and Carson,
Agbonlar has more potential than Santa Cruz. Does anyone appreciate this?
Suggest form "Academy League" Objective:
keep carefully nutured young tyros AWAY from Premier clubs and their bully managers.
Nurture their idealism, character, technique.
Give them a dream!
Compare this route with the boozy, night club, wag-in-tow, greedy contract, Hello! Mag stardom postuirng of present lot of millionaire losers. Lampard 27 million?
You can keep him. Give the money to the Olympics REAL stars.

[Timothy Tanner]

Indeed there is nothing wrong with playing for the U21's, I'm actually disappointed Walcott got called up to the senior side. Pearce is trying to change the attitude to the U21's and players shouldn't be discouraged from seeing it as a great way to learn their trade against quality international opposition. I was more annoyed by the shock that Lennon and Richards were dropped, it would seem quite a few players in other countries go in-between the full and U21 sides, better for the two of them to get 90 minutes here then stay at their club's or get five minutes for the senior's.