I know I am posting this a bit after the event, but I was watching Soccer Saturday last week and they started talking about Steven Gerrard having to go and have a groin operation. The conversation went like this:
Geoff Stelling: 'Phil Thompson, why did Steven Gerrard have to go and have his groin operation now? Why couldn't he have had it in the summer?'
Phil Thompson: 'Because he didn't need it in the summer.'
Stelling:'OK, why couldn't he get it after the last set of internationals?'
Thommo: 'Because Liverpool Football Club felt they needed him and it is their choice because he is their player. England don't have to pay his wages, so they don't have a say. Fabio Capello knows the situation, he's been a club manager and probably done something like this himself.'
Stelling: 'So, what your saying Phil is that it's Rafa Benitez's fault if England don't qualify for the World Cup?'
Unbelievable.