Source: Team_Talk
England need August friendly - FA
The FA insists England's friendly against Hungary at Wembley on August 11 is an important fixture ahead of the start of Euro 2012 qualifying.[LNB] Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp voiced his opposition to the international friendly on Friday, questioning why players who had spent so long together at the World Cup in South Africa needed more time in each other's company quite so soon.[LNB]Redknapp is concerned at the impact it is likely to have on his own preparations for Tottenham's vital Champions League qualifying tie a week later, and the opening Premier League game with Manchester City on August 14, when he will have just two days to prepare.[LNB]The FA do not believe Redknapp was just singling them out for criticism, rather attacking the international calendar, which is set out by FIFA.[LNB]Almost all European countries will be in action on August 11, which means England would be virtually alone if they did not arrange a fixture.[LNB]Coach Fabio Capello is keen to use the Hungary encounter - for which the FA remain hopeful of an attendance around 60,000 despite the lingering World Cup disappointment - to blood some new players, although Manchester City duo Joe Hart and Adam Johnson are two of those expected to be called up, which would appear to be of benefit to Spurs.[LNB]In addition, the Italian feels it will provide useful preparation for a September double-header with Bulgaria - who visit Russia next month - and Switzerland, who tackle Austria, which will shape England's entire campaign as they look to reach the next European Championships, to be co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine.[LNB]"England are by no means unique in playing a friendly match on 11 August, since it is an international date scheduled by FIFA, with almost every other nation playing on the same night," said an FA spokesman.[LNB]"With a qualification campaign for Euro 2012 beginning just three weeks later, it is an important friendly opportunity to prepare for the competitive games with Bulgaria and Switzerland.[LNB]"Not making use of this date provided by FIFA in the calendar would put us at a disadvantage over those countries we face in September."
