Quote r a n c i d="r a n c i d"No, I'd have expected him to play well, he didn't.
I'm not saying we shouldn't play him, simply that from his previous form in internationals we aren't losing much, so it's not much to worry about. With the way people are carrying on you'd think we've lost a player with huge influence on the team and how we perform.
Putting him up on a pedestal as being a significant cog in the team will only mentally hurt the teams chances if he is striked out, as a "we're loved now" mentality will creep in.
We have replacements.'"
Again, what would he have to do to be classed as "playing well"?
Has he played poorly?
I can't recall seeing him play poorly at international level. He can only do so much on his own.
We have other players that can play full back, but none anywwre near to his ability. He'd be a huge loss, and anyone that doesn't think he would be is blinded by their dislike for him.