Carra: Players have fear factor

28 June 2011 09:04
Former England defender Jamie Carragher admits players suffer from a fear factor when they are playing for the national team.[LNB] The Liverpool player came out of international retirement when he was selected by England manager Fabio Capello for last year's World Cup campaign in South Africa.[LNB]However, England experienced a woeful tournament and crashed out 4-1 to Germany in the last 16, leading to a torrent of criticism for both players and management.[LNB]Carragher though claimed players are on tenterhooks when they play for England and feel less pressure when appearing for their clubs.[LNB]"One mistake and you could be absolutely slaughtered," Carragher told BBC Radio 5 live.[LNB]"At your club, you know you will not be criticised as much and perhaps three days later there will be another game.[LNB]"With England, it could be months before you have another fixture. There is a fear at times when playing for England."[LNB]He added: "The intensity of the press does get to the players.[LNB]"Sometimes I think players would prefer the press guy to think they had played well, rather than the manager."[LNB]Carragher also claimed the players were bored in South Africa where they spent most of their day in a hotel, saying: "You stay in a hotel all day but you are at a World Cup for a long time and should be able to experience different things.[LNB]"I wouldn't want players holed up. Take away the boredom, embrace the country we are in more. You never see anything."[LNB]Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp echoed Carragher's sentiments.[LNB]"I spoke to a few players who said they were sat in their rooms waiting for the day to pass.[LNB]"Some said they were bored out of their brains."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk