Haber?

[thnhouse]

Quick question for Marcus Haber if he's on here, is a friendly against Guatemala that you'll probably be on the bench for more important than the potential relegation of your club?

[whosbrianwilson]

Obviously not - and therein lies the problem.

Sooner he's gone the better.

[Alex_Crew]

That's it for me. He can go to his meaningless friendly and not return.

Steve was absolutely right to drop him last night, and we should look to bring one or two forwards on loan as a matter of urgency.

Give Saunders a run instead of this guy...at least he IS committed.

[RenegadeDS]

I like Haber, but now he's just taking the p*ss.

[Alexman]

Well Davis knew he was going to play international football and must have taken that into consideration when signing him.

[Alex_Crew]

This is about Haber's priorities. He's been down the pecking order for a large chunk of the season, but he's finally getting a run of games.

Would you travel to Canada to play 15 minutes in a meaningless friendly or stay and keep your place in the team (the ones who pay your wages) and help them fight off relegation?

It's hardly Brazil they're playing either...

[somersetcrewe]

It's hardly Brazil they're playing either...




To them it might be!
Have you seen Canada play? ;D

[AlexLeicester]

Pulling on an England shirt used to be the absolute pinnacle of achievement, so I'm led to believe. Times have changed this side of the 'pond', it seems, sadly.
In Canada it may be different, and Haber may feel that representing his country is the highest he's going to get as a professional, so I can understand that.

Yes, I'd love it if the international games didn't clash with our current battles, but I'm prepared to give the lad a break. It's a difficult choice: praise from the supporters of a small to medium-sized Div 1 English club; or representing your country?

[thnhouse]

I could 100% understand that if it wasn't a friendly, or it was his first cap, or if he was the main striker for Canada.
But it's two frankly meaningless friendlies that he's unlikely to get much game time in.


It doesn't even make sense to me as a player that wants to play more for Canada, if we get relegated and he's part of that side it will hurt his chances of a call up massively. A lot more than a goal against Guatemala will do him good.

[number1stuartevans]

would give my left one for a chance at being on the bench for england, what would you all do? Don't be hypocritical

[lyndongrange]

Give both!

Problem here is national football bodies trying to increase income with an insistence on meaningless friendlies. Our own FA would play anybody at Wembley for a huge pot of cash.Not what football should be about...

[grestyraider7]

Maybe meaningless, but while he is biting the hand that feeds him, he's not a premiership star, and playing for your country as a league One player takes some passing up I would think.

[bigroof]

Clearly the games aren't meaningless to Canada, or to Haber. They're in their continental championship finals in July. Haber's obviously on the fringes of the team, but if he didn't turn up to these games, he'd almost certainly scupper his chances of taking part in the summer.
He's Canadian. Steve knew he was an international. As Haber said in a recent interview, anyone who employs him over here, can expect him to be available for around 40 matches. He offers something different to our other forwards, and is a half-decent League One player, but we'll just have to come up with other plans for a couple of games.

[whosbrianwilson]

A different outlook

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31859986

[bigroof]

A different outlook

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31859986



Yes, I read that too, WBW. Not exactly a parallel to Haber's situation though. Canada are due to play in the Gold Cup, Montserrat aren't. Montserrat are just as likely to call upon that guy again; Canada are unlikely to call upon Haber again if he doesn't go this time.

[whosbrianwilson]

You're probably right BR, but in view of Uche's return, I think Haber has just become a bit part player for the rest of this season.

[NEVTHEDEV]

Scored the 1 and only winning goal,at 10 mins

[AlexLeicester]

Very pleased for the lad. For some people the goal and victory will not excuse him for donning his country's shirt instead of an Alex one, but for me it demonstrates (or it should) the way we look after players. When opportunity knocks we tend to support them. I like that.

[CrossPonder]

He did well. He should have had another on a penalty that wasn't awarded at 71 minutes.

[out0lunch]

Try this link for the goal, around 14min 25 secs - view external link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuH5F2qAolM)

[supercrewe]

Needs to be back in the team on Saturday alongside Ajose ...

[bonehead]

yep Haber should start i like him

get the team right for next season - play him in all remaining games