Can players keep their private and footballing lives separate?

MALCOLM MACDONALD:

I suspect that what has been revealed so far in this whole sorry affair is only the tip of the iceberg.

You cannot underestimate how much off-the-field matters can impact on players’ performance when they run out on a Saturday afternoon.

Just look at the way John Terry has gone off the boil since this story first emerged.

In that respect I think Wayne Bridge might have made a very clever move.

He has pulled himself out of the spotlight somewhat and hopefully for his sake the pressure on him will reduce.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if, once this thing blows over, he declares himself available for Mr Capello’s squad and we see him going to South Africa after all.

In an ideal world you try to keep your personal and professional lives separate.

But high profile players are major public figures. Like it or not they are fodder for the front pages and the gossip columns. With the huge salaries that they earn and the playboy lifestyles that some of them lead it’s no shock that stories of this ilk will come out. How you deal with it on the pitch is another matter.

MICKY HORSWILL:

I had a similar situation during my playing days.

I fell out with a teammate and it had a detrimental impact on the team. We were on very poor terms because of a misunderstanding in our personal lives. We wouldn’t speak to one another on the pitch and it became ridiculous. I would be making runs and he wouldn’t pass the ball through to me – crazy stuff.

I’m not sure if it would have been like that with Terry and Bridge but from what we hear they are hardly great buddies and it will inevitably have an impact on how they operate together on the pitch. It is amazing that Bridge would jeopordise his chance of playing in the World Cup and in many ways what he has done is very honourable.

He has taken a problem off the manager’s shoulders and Capello will probably be very grateful for what he has done. But it leaves a big gap at left back and with Ashley Cole injured there is a serious lack of cover on that side.

BERNIE SLAVEN:

I have a lot of respect for Bridge.

Not many people would turn their back on what would likely be the highlight of their career for a personal matter. It tells you how much this whole thing must have been affecting him and obviously he’s got to the point where he’s just said enough is enough. None of us know the full story and Bridge has clearly got strong reasons for dropping out of the squad.

I have been to a World Cup so I know how intense the whole experience can be. You are stuck in a hotel with your team-mates for a month or so and that will expose any underlying tensions that exist. Even the most patient person would find that type of situation tough.

There are obviously issues within the squad and they would have come to the fore once the players were away at their training camp and continue through to the tournament itself.

I’m sure the England manager would have asked the players to put things to one side but he wouldn’t be able to control the situation every minute of the day.

England are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and Bridge dropping out may have saved them a whole heap of trouble this summer.

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