Intermission

Are you missing it already? The Premiership. You’re not alone. There’s nothing like a dose of international football to make many of us go all nostalgic for the best league in the world. And the only thing that comes even close is the Champions League.

If you think that’s a bit unfair, ask yourself if the prospect of England v Macedonia really excites you. Or Croatia v England a few days later. Or Scotland v France. Or France v the Faroes. Or any of the others.

It doesn’t seem too long ago that England were bombing out of the World Cup. Off goes the blessed Sven for a load of R and R, secure in the knowledge that the F.A. are still paying him. Back come the players for a few signings and a spot of pre-season training, then after a handful of matches off they trot again on international duty.

If you’re haunted by the feeling that it wasn’t always like this, you’re absolutely right. Disruptions for international affairs were neither as long nor as frequent in the good old days, which is another way of saying that in the past we were not bored as frequently as we now are. And if it’s frustrating for the fans, imagine what it’s like for the clubs. All managers and players can do right now is pray that their boys come back fit (they invariably don’t) and hope that the lack of continuity caused by their absence from club training is not reflected in lost points immediately after they return (though it often is).

Of course, the case for the defence is that all this is a small price to pay for the success of the international team. What team? What success? And as for the cost, ask Newcastle if the price they are paying for the loss of Michael Owen is worth it. Or Arsenal if they’re deliriously happy to do without Phillippe Senderos for weeks on end.

You may discover that there are many clubs who believe that the national associations should pay the players’ wages during periods of international duty, and compensate clubs for loss of their services as a result of injuries sustained while representing their country.

And who can blame them for that?