"For the supporters, it's a complete dead rubber. It is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard - it's pointless. The schedule of games coming up in England - boys play Friday and Monday [when they go back to their clubs] so it's ridiculous."
"With all due respect to Wales, they're putting on a game in Cardiff that means absolutely nothing. The only good thing that comes out of it is some of the younger lads get a chance to have a bit of exposure at that level."
"All the lads on the pitch the other night, physically and mentally it takes so much out of you and not getting the result we wanted. It's a difficult one for everyone to pick themselves up and go again."
Chris Brunt questions UEFA's decision to schedule a friendly match between Northern Ireland and Wales after both teams were eliminated from World Cup contention. He describes the match as a 'complete dead rubber' and criticizes the timing, given the busy football calendar. Brunt acknowledges that the game offers younger players a chance for exposure but emphasizes the emotional toll on players after recent losses. He anticipates that coach Michael O'Neill will rotate the squad to give opportunities to those who did not play in the recent semi-final.
Read at www.bbc.com
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