Barry against friendly cull
20 Feb 2007 - 10:58:42
Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has defended England's under-fire friendlies and insists the games are vital to the international aspirations of fringe players like himself.
Barry ended a three-and-a-half year wait to pull on an England shirt again in the 1-0 defeat by Spain at Old Trafford earlier in the month.
Steve McClaren's side came under fire following a poor performance and in the aftermath his number two Terry Venables immediately questioned the importance of friendly matches at busy times of the season.
The Football Association has since announced the number of friendly games will be reduced, but Barry would like to see such matches remain part of the calendar.
"The whole manner of the defeat at home to Spain, and the manager getting a lot of criticism, means a lot has been made about the role of friendlies," he said.
"But friendlies are always going to be a part of international football because they are needed.
"In those games, the fringe players will always get a game and the chance to impress.
"If it was constant qualification games, for the World Cup or the European Championships, you would just get the same sort of players being selected.
"But for myself and a lot of other players out there in my situation, these games are an opportunity to get a game."