Ian Royalcmonurz Re the anthem, agree with HB, doesn’t particularly bother me if players aren’t singing it, but when they are it does suggest a little passion for the game and the country. I’ve wondered before how mentally prepared players get for playing for their country – contrast the anthems in football to those in rugby where the players bellow them out like they really are about to go into battle, and it isn’t rare to see a few with tears in their eyes.
I want the players to show respect for the honour they are being afforded, so I want to see them all singing the anthem. It maybe suggests whether the attitude and approach is right. But lets face it, no one thinks its important player selection criteria or important in determining the out come of a match.
Anyone suggesting people do is a moron.
It's not a case of wanting players who sing to be picked, it's a question of wanting the players who are picked to behave in the "right way".
Not disagreeing with you cmonurz, more adding my thoughts.
Although I was thinking the other day... that a big part of performance, be it sporting, or arts related is mental focus and preparation. People do that in different ways and I wonder if perhaps for some, singing the anthem interfers with their pre-performance rituals and focus so they use it to turn inward and improve their focus rather than singing.
A thought which has changed my opinion on players who don't sing quite a lot.
In light of this, interesting to read in today's Mail that Rooney 'mentally prepares' for games by envisaging himself playing against the opponents. To the extent that he is sure to check exactly what kits the teams will be wearing, the night before the game, so he can imagine himself scoring and playing well against particular opponents. Sounds a bit schoolboy-ish, but clearly for Rooney what puts him in the frame of mind to play.
. Still, when he cuts inside Alex Pearce to score against little old Reading next season the media will no doubt have a collective errection.