I dont blame Carra in the slightest for retiring from international football and I doubt anyone else reading this does either. Lets face it, he loves playing for Liverpool above anything else and at Liverpool hes loved, praised and, most importantly, given the lead role in the defence where he can scream at his fellow defenders to follow his lead and generally organise a very solid back wall. For England hes not even regarded as second choice, hes not one of the fans favourites and he plays in positions he hasnt played in for years. So no wonder hes become disillusioned with it all.

So why the hell would a guy whos nearing the latter stages of his career want to risk curtailing this either through injury or otherwise for a bit part place in a team that apparently

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doesnt need him anyway? Hes sees Scholes, Campbell and Shearer flourish through this method so why wouldnt he want to do it too? And of course there was Andy Cole who retired from international football despite not being anywhere near the squad. Oh the tears that flowed after that one, tears of laughter that is.

And for all those fools who spout off about pride of playing for your country, you are talking about a man who has more U21 international caps than Goodison has disgruntled home fans. Its just an excuse to have a dig at a player who has frustrated opposing fans and pundits alike for years by punching way above his supposed weight for his club, achieving heights that more apparently talented players have come no where near. How many times have we heard no team with Carragher in it will win anything? These are the people who are piping up now because these are the people who have been continually egged in the face by Carra performances over the years,and quite simply cant stand it.

Id just love to see some of these furious England fans who spend their time writing into websites and phoning up radio shows actually tell Carra to his face what they thought of his decision. Oh yes Im sure theyd give him both barrels wouldnt they. I can just see it now

oh, er, yes, er, I think its a bit of a selfish decision, Mr Carragher sir, you should be proud to play for England

Then watch them recoil in petrified fear as JC blows their head off with one of his Traore-aimed bollockings.

This is what office types call a no-brainer. Theres nothing to discuss. The decision is his to make and hes fully entitled to it. Best of luck for the future Carra lad, enjoy your international retirement, and book yourself a nice summer holiday for 2008 where you can watch England lose to Portugal on pens in the quarter final for a change.