[Football] Ben White and our Gareth

[jcdenton08]

Or how much would we enjoy a hobby we started loving aged 6, then did every single day of our lives since then. Some players live and breathe football their whole lives, some get extremely bored and just want to go fishing.

 

[Javeaseagull]

I remember Gary Neville saying, after he retired, that he often wondered why he had bothered with playing for England. Loads of talented players but they never won anything. Maybe Ben took his words to heart. Not everyone is a tub-thumping, bawling patriot. Anyone who says “My country, right or wrong” is to be viewed with deep suspicion imo.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Bobby Z most certainly did, yes.

Take a straw poll on here. How many of us love our day jobs so much we want to spend even more time doing it?!!!

Yes. A good point.

But......I love my day job. Which is why I chose it and worked to get it. I can't imagine anyone doing anything different, unless needs must (which they may). Musting needs are the blight of satisfaction.

Also....if you don't really like football but are good at it, why not play till you are in your early 30s, earn some cash, then do something else?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I remember Gary Neville saying, after he retired, that he often wondered why he had bothered with playing for England. Loads of talented players but they never won anything. Maybe Ben took his words to heart. Not everyone is a tub-thumping, bawling patriot. Anyone who says “My country, right or wrong” is to be viewed with deep suspicion imo.

 

[aolstudios]

Depends why they refused. White could be like Vardy (imposter syndrome). Or Sharer (protect the career by avoiding the odd pointless game against professional maimers). Perhaps he needs to be a bit forthcoming with Southgate so it can be put to bed.

Perhaps Southgate knows

 

[JamieR]

Playing at a high level in the Premier league and given the number of fixtures, I'd choose time off off over playing for your country.

 

[Bry Nylon]

I get the impression that Ben White is relatively introverted and possibly finds the England camps quite cliquey and, for him, a bit suffocating and boring.

Maybe he just doesn’t fancy playing for England

If that’s the case I, could understand that. It genuinely wouldn’t interest me either, had I ever been in a position to be selected.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Perhaps Southgate knows

Don't think he does.

 

[BiffyBoy100]

Shouldn't this thread be titled "Gareth Southgate and our Ben"

And I know he's not our Ben, but he's made us 50m more than Gareth Southgate.

Southgate has offered:

• Maguire & Henderson. Over and over again.
• Terribly safe tactics with (probably) the best young attacking side in the world
• An occasional call-up for the league's most consistent cb - Dunk!
• and waistcoats

 

[Clive Walker]

Well, a choice between the two - it’s Albion all the way.

But like I say, to compete at the top and be the best, international competition really is where it’s at… it’s not a nationalistic crusade, but being a real, genuine winner… are you telling me, if you were Argentinian, you’d have chosen to stay at home rather than be a part of a World Cup winning squad? I’m not sure I quite believe you, but if you have your reasons - then fair enough.

White though has represented England, so I’d suggest this is a personal thing - letting that cloud judgement and restrict a chance at personal glory really is at odds with training everyday to be the best player he can be… very difficult to understand.

Think I’d have to have huge pride for it to be important. With England I have no real pride.

 

[GloryDays]

Don't think he does.

He does.

IMO fair enough for BW to turn it down. Only they know the score. Actually think it’s a little unfair of GS to come out saying what he said thus making BW appear the bad guy and team FA blameless. There was also some curious quotes / inconsistencies in his interview that went on to mention not picking players based on form etc which suggests he knows a lot more than what he’s willing to share.

Personally I back BW. If the manager is picking players on hype and not form then it’s got to be v frustrating. Amazed LD bothered picking up the phone tbh. How many players have we seen under “Gareth’s reign” (in quote marks bc I don’t believe he solely picks the squad) not make the 23 regardless of v good form? And how many persistently made the squad in spite of terrible club performances, or not even being picked at all!? It’s a closed shop…verging on corrupt.

Just a football team for the marketing dept of the FA. Somewhat soulless and boring and while GS is in charge I actually struggle to be interested in the games.

 

[Easy 10]

I know Southgate always gets a fearsome slagging on here, but under his watch he's produced a vibrant England team that has consistently made an impact in tournaments. It also seems to be a happy camp.

White, for his own reasons, clearly doesn't fancy it. But its a short career, and you would THINK that a player of his talent and versatility would be very much up for being involved in having a pop at winning an International tournament which (despite the usual unending grizzlers) we do have a decent chance at achieving, or at least going deep again.

White seems more interested in transforming himself into a portuguese pirate though, which is fine. His choice. But I wonder if in 10 years time, when his career has gone, he'll look back on binning off England, and have a few pangs of regret. Especially if we do win something. Could've been a legend.

 

[aolstudios]

He does.

IMO fair enough for BW to turn it down. Only they know the score. Actually think it’s a little unfair of GS to come out saying what he said thus making BW appear the bad guy and team FA blameless. There was also some curious quotes / inconsistencies in his interview that went on to mention not picking players based on form etc which suggests he knows a lot more than what he’s willing to share.

Personally I back BW. If the manager is picking players on hype and not form then it’s got to be v frustrating. Amazed LD bothered picking up the phone tbh. How many players have we seen under “Gareth’s reign” (in quote marks bc I don’t believe he solely picks the squad) not make the 23 regardless of v good form? And how many persistently made the squad in spite of terrible club performances, or not even being picked at all!? It’s a closed shop…verging on corrupt.

Just a football team for the marketing dept of the FA. Somewhat soulless and boring and while GS is in charge I actually struggle to be interested in the games.

This ^
I think he's thrown Ben under the bus, to make him & his team look blameless. There's something increasingly shifty about Southgate

 

[keaton]

Depends why they refused. White could be like Vardy (imposter syndrome). Or Sharer (protect the career by avoiding the odd pointless game against professional maimers). Perhaps he needs to be a bit forthcoming with Southgate so it can be put to bed.

Shearer also threatened to stop being captain if he was charged for the Lennon kick but seems to escape criticism for that

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

He does.

IMO fair enough for BW to turn it down. Only they know the score. Actually think it’s a little unfair of GS to come out saying what he said thus making BW appear the bad guy and team FA blameless. There was also some curious quotes / inconsistencies in his interview that went on to mention not picking players based on form etc which suggests he knows a lot more than what he’s willing to share.

Personally I back BW. If the manager is picking players on hype and not form then it’s got to be v frustrating. Amazed LD bothered picking up the phone tbh. How many players have we seen under “Gareth’s reign” (in quote marks bc I don’t believe he solely picks the squad) not make the 23 regardless of v good form? And how many persistently made the squad in spite of terrible club performances, or not even being picked at all!? It’s a closed shop…verging on corrupt.

Just a football team for the marketing dept of the FA. Somewhat soulless and boring and while GS is in charge I actually struggle to be interested in the games.

Yeah..... fair enough.

I know Slabbers hasn't been embarrassing lately but when was not being embarrassing lately reason for an England callup?

 

[Uh_huh_him]

He loves playing football.
He doesn't enjoy watching it.

I have no doubt he would love playing for England.
But clearly things have gone on within the camp that means he doesn't want to be involved.
If he isn't going to feel comfortable in the group, then it's the mature decision.

It's a shame.
He's a very good, intelligent player.

 

[aolstudios]

He loves playing football.
He doesn't enjoy watching it.

I have no doubt he would love playing for England.
But clearly things have gone on within the camp that means he doesn't want to be involved.
If he isn't going to feel comfortable in the group, then it's the mature decision.

It's a shame.
He's a very good, intelligent player.

All of this ^

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Only White knows his reasons and he’s not obliged to feed the press with them.
He’s got a couple of caps to tick that box and likely to win every club honour in the game.
If he finds the England environment not to his taste, wants more time with his family, more time for recovery, a prolonged club career and a nice summer holiday away from football, then good luck to him.

 

[METALMICKY]

Only White knows his reasons and he’s not obliged to feed the press with them.
He’s got a couple of caps to tick that box and likely to win every club honour in the game.
If he finds the England environment not to his taste, wants more time with his family, more time for recovery, a prolonged club career and a nice summer holiday away from football, then good luck to him.

Oh bless him! I can't help thinking a lot of the sympathies on here are skewed by his connection to us. What happens if Walker gets injured and/or we need cover at right back and the form player is nowhere to be seen. Will people be quite so sympathetic?

Personally, I think he's much better served to actually put it out there as to what the beef is with Southgate. Otherwise, despite Southgate denying it we're all left thinking he got the hump about a bollocking he got in front of his teammates at the world cup. And in the world of football that's way too precious. I suspect the real issue may not put him in a good light.

And now let's address the elephant in the room. White's reticence to explain fully just feeds the rumours about his sexuality. As of course does his tanned pirate look with socks pulled so high as to look like suspenders! Guess what Ben, none of us care about that! We just want the best man for the England team.

I also think Arsenal announcing his new contract on the day that the squad naming happened was a cheap shot.

 

[keaton]

Arsenal: 'Truth' on Ben White's England snub and 'why Steve Holland turned his anger on him' emerges

According to a report from The Athletic, Arsenal star Ben White's issues with England started because he 'found it difficult being out of the side'.

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