Should Micah Richards

[CityGer]

Tell Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello to fuck off?

Sorry to dampen the mood but I didn't want to Micah to go to the Euro's with the U21's in the first place and I felt he was a stick on to be picked for the full England side. Now I see that Kyke Walker, yes, Kyle Walker has been selected ahead of him for the full England side and that Micah is off to Denmark. Micah is two years older than Walker, BTW.

What has he got to do? He's been outstanding. Kyle fucking Walker???

He should tell the lot of them to fuck right off. It stinks.

[Dameerto]

That makes no sense whatsoever (their decision, not your post). Where is the logic behind it?

[Dameerto]

Regarding your question - Micah shouldn't tell them to f. off but Bob certainly should, quoting Walker (and both their ages) as his reason.

[Wonderwall]

I am pretty sure Micah would have been involved in the decision. He will be captain for the competition and will lead the team out, there are some good players in there and I think it will be his decision.

[Original Dub]

Absolutely.

Fucking ridiculous playing a top class defender in a kids competition.

[nick (duki blues)]

its just been on sky sports that he has pulled out now so looks like hes having a good long rest this summer

[Goaters 103]

Good man Micah, good to see him pulled.

If Kyle Walke is a better right-back than Richards, then my arse is a fire engine.

[Mase]

I would have done the same. When you're clearly the best English right back around yet fail to get picked when it comes to full internationals there's something wrong.

[dazby]

Why would you pull out of a tournament you have an excellent chance of winning? There's nothing like the experience of going deep in tournaments such as this.

Look at the bigger picture. When we're a goal down in Madrid with ten minutes to go you want players who have experience in dealing with such a scenario and can deal with the pressure.

Do you think Spain will send a second string team? Fat chance.

[Ted Hughes]

Why would you pull out of a tournament you have an excellent chance of winning? There's nothing like the experience of going deep in tournaments such as this.

Look at the bigger picture. When we're a goal down in Madrid with ten minutes to go you want players who have experience in dealing with such a scenario and can deal with the pressure.

Do you think Spain will send a second string team? Fat chance.

Holiday & start next season fresh & fit or spend summer knackering self out & being coached by Stuart Pearce ?

Tough one.

[pepsi_dave]

Good point well made Dazby, I kinda agree with what youre saying, but on the same token, I cant see balotelli linking up with the U21s..... he's Senior Squad all the way.

Micah is good enough for the Senior squad, and its my belief that he's too good for that tournament and it wouldnt really help him progress, nor give him the experience that you eluded to. The pressure in a game within the U21s isnt going to be anywhere as intense as the scenario you quoted.... or at least that's how I see it anyway.

I'd prefer it if he got a good long rest this summer, had a full pre-season with his team mates, and started the season by hitting the ground running. The alternative is, he doesnt have a long rest, probably joins up with the squad later than the rest of the team starting back, and my well take a few games to find his feet.... for me, the experience he would gain at the tournament, won't be as important as him taking part in the full preparation for what could be one of, if not, City's biggest season(s) EVER.

[Goaters 103]

Im totally lost as to what benefit any coaching with Stuart Pearce can teach Micah Richards. He has champions league football next year to continue his education, and progressed very well under Mancini's guidance last year.

What is SP's tournament plan? Lots of running and the importance of Beanie the effing horse ffs.

[Dameerto]

It's apparently the injury that kept him out of the Bolton game (there's an article on the club's site about it). Blessing in disguise and all that.

[aaron bond]

Good point well made Dazby, I kinda agree with what youre saying, but on the same token, I cant see balotelli linking up with the U21s..... he's Senior Squad all the way.

Micah is good enough for the Senior squad, and its my belief that he's too good for that tournament and it wouldnt really help him progress, nor give him the experience that you eluded to. The pressure in a game within the U21s isnt going to be anywhere as intense as the scenario you quoted.... or at least that's how I see it anyway.

I'd prefer it if he got a good long rest this summer, had a full pre-season with his team mates, and started the season by hitting the ground running. The alternative is, he doesnt have a long rest, probably joins up with the squad later than the rest of the team starting back, and my well take a few games to find his feet.... for me, the experience he would gain at the tournament, won't be as important as him taking part in the full preparation for what could be one of, if not, City's biggest season(s) EVER.

I agree with this. Richards won't gain anything from playing with/against players he is already better than. He'll gain far more from a pre-season with us, leading into a title-chasing and Champions League campaign.

I definitely think it's important for England to have an U21 squad to develop players, however, almost all of the squad is full of players who are either bit-part players at their clubs, or play for lower division sides. Richards is a regular first-team player in one of the best sides in the country. An U21 tournament is not going to improve him as a player.

[Florida Blue]

It's apparently the injury that kept him out of the Bolton game (there's an article on the club's site about it). Blessing in disguise and all that.

This.. he pulled a hamstring. Not a quick healing injury (in the sense of full fitness). Could play in 3-6 weeks depending on how bad, but higher chance of re-injury early on. Totally a blessing in disguise, but would be nice to see him play a qualifier at some point.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Representing your country at any level is an honour and don't be so arrogant to think anyone has a G-d given right to. Ok so maybe he deserves to, that should be an incentive to improve his game even further.

[Wooders]

Micah is the captain of the U21 squad - I believe it is best for his eductation to remain in his current role rather than be on the perifery of the senior squad

[Blue Blood]

Micah is the captain of the U21 squad - I believe it is best for his eductation to remain in his current role rather than be on the perifery of the senior squad

Fuck the "perifery of the senior squad", a fully fit micah richards merits a starting berth now.

The lad has been a sodding revelation since christmas, the micah of old is back and better than ever.

No way capello wouldn't pick a fully fit micah, I fully expect to see him starting all the games in the euros next year and playing a starring role to boot, as will our joe :D

[Mase]

Representing your country at any level is an honour and don't be so arrogant to think anyone has a G-d given right to. Ok so maybe he deserves to, that should be an incentive to improve his game even further.

What an honour it must have been for all those player who had to stand next to the likes of G. Neville, Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Michael Ricketts, Danny Mills, P. Neville, Nicky Butt, Francis Jeffers, David Nugent, Seth Johnson, David Unsworth, Scott Carson, etc.

Lets face it, getting a call up for the full England squad has become a joke.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Representing your country at any level is an honour and don't be so arrogant to think anyone has a G-d given right to. Ok so maybe he deserves to, that should be an incentive to improve his game even further.

What an honour it must have been for all those player who had to stand next to the likes of G. Neville, Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Michael Ricketts, Danny Mills, P. Neville, Nicky Butt, Francis Jeffers, David Nugent, Seth Johnson, David Unsworth, Scott Carson, etc.

Lets face it, getting a call up for the full England squad has become a joke.

Is it fuck. It's an absolute honor to represent your country. Imagine playing in a World Cup. Yeah no big deal is it.