Tomorrow night England travel to Paris to take on France in a friendly international. There will be many other international friendlies going on all over the world. Wigan manager Steve Bruce has spoken out about the 'crazy' idea to play games such as these at this stage of the season.

"Unfortunately 10 of my squad are away at a crazy international game. I suppose we will see some of them next Friday and see how it is. It baffles me, it really does." Bruce said.

Nearly every manager in the Premier League still has something to play for. Many are still looking nervously over their shoulders at the drop zone and many still harbour thoughts of a European qualification place. These managers know that the rest of their careers may depend on the results of the next few Premier League games they play. So is it right that nearly all of the Premier League squads have been decimated this week as players travel far and wide to represent their Country?

I'm sure that all players are rightly immensely proud to represent their country and regard it as the ultimate honour. I'm equally sure that when our teams are playing in the European Championship or World Cup all fans get carried away in a patriotic fervour that threatens to overwhelm the country. But a friendly at this time of the season? We all have an opinion about who should be playing for the country and the viewing figures for the games are always high. Having said that I truly believe that a poll of supporters would show a massive percentage in favour of the game not being played.

I have no doubt that Steve Gerrard would rather be at Liverpool trying to help his side recover from the events at Old Trafford and prepare for the crucial Merseyside derby on Sunday. Frank Lampard and John Terry would love to be at Stamford Bridge to keep the momentum after the Arsenal victory and ensure that they are all focussed on the game against Middlesbrough.

I know for sure that the managers would give anything to have the players with them this week. What about the fans? Well, I know that most club fans would rather their players concentrate on their teams at this stage of the season rather than have them risk injury and fatigue playing in a meaningless friendly international.

So taking into account the feelings of the players, the managers and the fans, the question remains, "Who is it that actually wants these games to be played?"

Once again, it isn't the people who really matter in football that are given any consideration. It is the game's administrators and money men who get what they want.