Beckham recall - footballing decision or publicity stunt?

[canary cherub 1]

Anyone else suspect that Beckham''s recall has everything to do with publicising the New Wembley and nothing to do with team building for Euro 2008?

That was Terry Butcher''s view on Five Live this morning, and much as it pains me to agree with a binner, I think he''s probably right.

Steve Maclaren has gone along with it (as if he had any choice) but I bet it wasn''t his idea.

The England team have few enough opportunities to play together as it is, but they''ve squandered this opportunity in favour of bums on seats and tasty publicity shots of Golden Balls on the hallowed turf.  Is it any wonder that England are underachieving?

Yet another example of what happens when you don''t put football first.

  

[Iwan is God 0]

I personally think England are better off with him in the squad, so I''m glad he''s ben picked. I know everyone''s gonna say "but he can''t beat a full back, he hasn''t got any pace, blah blah blah". He doesn''t need too because he can still whip in a ball better than anyone else in the world & we''ve missed that attacking option.

[GJP 79]

From a football point of view I''m very happy David is back. He''s one of our best players and he''s definitely our best right-sided midfielder. He''s world class and dropping him was a complete was of time.

[Herb 0]

Had to laugh at the irony of Butcher claiming it was a bad decision because Beckham will be playing a sub standard level next season.That from a man who played for England for years while plying his club-based trade in Scotland.Pot/kettle?

[Fordy 0]

[quote user="Herb"]Had to laugh at the irony of Butcher claiming it was a bad decision because Beckham will be playing a sub standard level next season.
That from a man who played for England for years while plying his club-based trade in Scotland.
Pot/kettle?
[/quote]

Point well made herb.

England need Beckham full stop. Should never been dropped, even if he just in the squad. The likes of Lennon, SWP and Bentley can lern so much from him.

[First Wizard 0]

My view on this is simple.............without Becks we won''t qualify!.................we have no one who can consistantly produce 40 yard ''killer'' passes or take take free kicks like him.

Carlos and the Real manager have both said that he''s recent form has been a major reason why Madrid now top their division.

When McNut took over the England job he wanted to make an instant name for himself...........dropping Becks was that!.

It made the Charge Of the Light Brigade look like a sensible military decision!.

[canary cherub 1]

Apparently Beckham''s new club in LA are seriously upset that he''s playing in a friendly.  It sounds as though they weren''t even consulted.  Watch this space . . .

 

[Yellow Rages 0]

McLaren said from day one that he would pick his players for footballing reasons.

Beckham, by all our admissions was poor during the world cup. Not just poor like a number of our players but almost anonymous.

He desrved to get dropped and has earnt himself a recall through his performances with Madrid.

He is a one trick pony who has no heading ability, no tackling ability and no pace. If you are to be an international regular, you need more to your game than a good corner and cross. I can''t think of another wide player internationally that offers so little across the board. What he offers is exeptional in it''s own aspect but for me that isn''t enough if we are to move forward.

Glad he got his recall on merit but he isn''t the answer. He is a media tool that works. The fact this post exists is proof. We woudn''t be having the same conversation if Mclaren dropped Stuart Downing.

 

 

 

 

 

[Putney Canary 0]

Shows the state of the England squad when best/our only attacking option is from a dead ball specialist. For this reason we need him in the squad, but it shows McLaren''s failure as a manager I''m afraid. I doubt we will qualify anyway. Frankly his 40 yard ''killer'' passes are now looking more and more like hoofball recently with England.

[GJP 79]

[quote user="Yellow Rages"]

McLaren said from day one that he would pick his players for footballing reasons.

Beckham, by all our admissions was poor during the world cup. Not just poor like a number of our players but almost anonymous.

He desrved to get dropped and has earnt himself a recall through his performances with Madrid.

He is a one trick pony who has no heading ability, no tackling ability and no pace. If you are to be an international regular, you need more to your game than a good corner and cross. I can''t think of another wide player internationally that offers so little across the board. What he offers is exeptional in it''s own aspect but for me that isn''t enough if we are to move forward.

[/quote]

That is so far from the truth... it''s ridiculous.

David Beckham is a brilliant all round footballer. There is no doubt that his right foot is outstanding, his crossing and deliveries are pretty much unrivalled for quality. Everyone knows that though.

But... his left foot is also very useful and he can deliver excellent quality with that too. Of course he''d prefer to use his right foot but he can put a ball where it needs to go with his left peg.

His short passing is excellent, crisp and accurate. He finds space well and takes up good positions. He creates goals and scores goals.

Other than that...his work rate is usually pretty high, he gets stuck in - he''s not scared of a tackle. He''s also relatively decent in the air - you don''t get to see much of it because he''s usually the one whipping the ball in but he''s not frightened to head the ball.

His career speaks for itself - Man Utd, Real Madrid and England (captain). He has Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League medals. He''s on his way to a Spanish league title. He''s been to 3 World Cups and scored at each of them.

David Beckham is a fantastic footballer, many quality attributes to his game. One of the best players of his generation and comfortably has the quality of a ''world class'' player.

[megson 0]

Feels like a publicity stung to me, but from Mclaren not the FA.

Beckham got a large amount of the blame for Englands poor world cup in the media, so Mclaren (eager to please) dropped him.

Now the media have done the usual sea change of opinion and want him back, so Mclarens picked him again.

For me all he needed to do to win some support from the fans and make his mark as the new manager was show Beckham was droppable. Stick him on the bench, and (more importantly probably) sub him occasionally.

Dropping him completely, especially for the last 2 qualifiers when english wide men were dropping like flies prior to a tough away game, was pride, and the inability to admit he may be wrong.

Whatever else beckham is a leader, he is a player who cares when playing for england and his experience has been greatly missed.

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="Yellow Rages"]

McLaren said from day one that he would pick his players for footballing reasons.

Beckham, by all our admissions was poor during the world cup. Not just poor like a number of our players but almost anonymous.

He desrved to get dropped and has earnt himself a recall through his performances with Madrid.

He is a one trick pony who has no heading ability, no tackling ability and no pace. If you are to be an international regular, you need more to your game than a good corner and cross. I can''t think of another wide player internationally that offers so little across the board. What he offers is exeptional in it''s own aspect but for me that isn''t enough if we are to move forward.

Glad he got his recall on merit but he isn''t the answer. He is a media tool that works. The fact this post exists is proof. We woudn''t be having the same conversation if Mclaren dropped Stuart Downing.

[/quote]

Shows how little you know about football, you aren''t man united''s best player, then move to Real Madrid for nothing.  He reguarly scores and creates goals at all levels. He is an excellent all round footballer with the best cross in world football and an engine, technique, passing and attitude to match.  He is a winner.

If he is not the answer who is?  S-W Phillips....  lol don''t make me laugh.  Frank Lampard had an awful world cup and he still gets picked....  and is still rubbish.

[mbncfc 1]

There were far worse English players in the World Cup than David Beckham. He is one of only a few English world class players we have.

In my opinion it was Beckham being dropped in the first place which was the publicity stunt. I didn''t really understand all the clambering for him to be left out after the World Cup, as it seemed Beckham was being made a scape goat for the failures of others.

McClaren wanted to make some kind of populist point and did it in the most spectacularly transparent way. Now he has backtracked, it simply proves to me he lacks any kind of authority or confidence over his own decisions.

England will not qualify for the European Championships with Steve McClaren in charge. That is not to say he should go, but he was never the right man in the first place.

[Putney Canary 0]

The problem at the world cup was trying to shoe-horn the best players into the team, rather than picking the best team. We were crying out for width and pace, and the tactic seemed to be to let Beckham hoof a long ball forward towards Rooney. When Lennon finally got on the pitch the team looked more balanced, we had someone attacking with pace and taking men on, but that only lasted for 10 minutes until Rooney imploded.It was never Beckham''s fault, he just has never been that sort of player. I blame it on the then managers insistance on playing Lampard AND Gerrard in the same team. If we have to play 5 in midfield, move Beckham in and have pace on the wings. Otherwise, play 4-4-2 and have him on the bench.

[ricky knight 0]

To me his recall is a joke and a blemish on all the young players coming through, never fell for this Beckham is world class garbage, a good crosser and a free kick specialist, should do well in the states, world class yea right. McClaren has bottled it, why dont that surprise me.

[7rew 0]

I don''t like beckam in the team, since we tend to play hoof-ball with

him in it/ play for free kicks.  I would rather watch England try

to play attacking flowing football like ManU rather than the Chelsea

style.

International football is about entertainment and national pride.

Both can be found in playing good exciting football and/or winning - currently we do neither, but the first is more achievable.

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="mystic megson"]

Apparently Beckham''s new club in LA are seriously upset that he''s playing in a friendly.  It sounds as though they weren''t even consulted.  Watch this space . . .

 

[/quote]

they arent hsi team yet.. he is still a Real Madrid player... so what business is it of theirs?

jas :)

[ricky knight 0]

[quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="mystic megson"]

Apparently Beckham''s new club in LA are seriously upset that he''s playing in a friendly.  It sounds as though they weren''t even consulted.  Watch this space . . .

 

[/quote]

they arent hsi team yet.. he is still a Real Madrid player... so what business is it of theirs?

jas :)

[/quote]

about 100 million quid is their business.

[canary cherub 1]

[quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="mystic megson"]

Apparently Beckham''s new club in LA are seriously upset that he''s playing in a friendly.  It sounds as though they weren''t even consulted.  Watch this space . . .

 

[/quote]

they arent hsi team yet.. he is still a Real Madrid player... so what business is it of theirs?

jas :)

[/quote]

He has signed a contract with LA Galaxy which takes effect when his Real contract runs out.  If he gets injured next week and can''t play for them, they will still have to pay his wages. 

 

[Pyro Pete 1,891]

[quote user="mystic megson"]

He has signed a contract with LA Galaxy which takes effect when his Real contract runs out.  If he gets injured next week and can''t play for them, they will still have to pay his wages. 

 [/quote]

I''m pretty sure that if a player gets injured while in the care of England, the FA have to cough up for their wages while the player is out injured. That was certainly the case for Michael Owen, and I''m sure we had Greeno''s wages paid for after he got crocked on England duty.

As for recalling Beckham, it''s an act of desperation from McClaren. He doesn''t want to be losing to Brazil at the new Wembley, with the fans again calling for his head, chanting "there''s only one David Beckham". Selecting Becks diverts attention from McClaren, and actually puts a huge responsibilty back onto Becks.

But it has to be said that Beckham''s replacements haven''t stepped up to the plate as yet. Lennon is still inconsistent, and SWP doesn''t play regular 1st team football to have that match sharpness. Of course this could have been the moment for Bentley to shine, but as McClaren''s job is on the line he won''t take many risks with the line-up.

But in real terms, we only need to beat Estonia for heaven''s sake.

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="mystic megson"][quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="mystic megson"]

Apparently Beckham''s new club in LA are seriously upset that he''s playing in a friendly.  It sounds as though they weren''t even consulted.  Watch this space . . .

 

[/quote]

they arent hsi team yet.. he is still a Real Madrid player... so what business is it of theirs?

jas :)

[/quote]

He has signed a contract with LA Galaxy which takes effect when his Real contract runs out.  If he gets injured next week and can''t play for them, they will still have to pay his wages. 

 

[/quote]

same with john otsemobor with us... either Becks or Semmy could cancel that contract, im sure it would cost money but they could do it.. if Semmy got injured tommorow then its our hard luck!

we all know the Bosman ruling and Galaxy should shut up and put up with it.

jas :)

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="Pyro Pete"][quote user="mystic megson"]

He has signed a contract with LA Galaxy which takes effect when his Real contract runs out.  If he gets injured next week and can''t play for them, they will still have to pay his wages. 

 [/quote]

I''m pretty sure that if a player gets injured while in the care of England, the FA have to cough up for their wages while the player is out injured. That was certainly the case for Michael Owen, and I''m sure we had Greeno''s wages paid for after he got crocked on England duty.

As for recalling Beckham, it''s an act of desperation from McClaren. He doesn''t want to be losing to Brazil at the new Wembley, with the fans again calling for his head, chanting "there''s only one David Beckham". Selecting Becks diverts attention from McClaren, and actually puts a huge responsibilty back onto Becks.

But it has to be said that Beckham''s replacements haven''t stepped up to the plate as yet. Lennon is still inconsistent, and SWP doesn''t play regular 1st team football to have that match sharpness. Of course this could have been the moment for Bentley to shine, but as McClaren''s job is on the line he won''t take many risks with the line-up.

But in real terms, we only need to beat Estonia for heaven''s sake.

[/quote]

your right Pete... and its played into the National Tabloids hands..

 

england should beat Estonia.. the press accept it.. russia, Croatia, isreal and Macedonia (who england traditionally seem to struggle against) are the teams to watch.. a win over Estonia will paper over the cracks.. lose to one of the other 4 and McClarens gone.. amid the Press furore... england wont qualify if they cant challenge the 4 mentioned above.

 My moneys on Croatia and isreal dare i say it.

jas :)

[tim howard? 0]

has been playing extremely well for real madrid i personally dont understand why he was constantly slagged of as being crap at the world cup he was the only player looking to create goals and cross into the box and was even scoring a few unlike lampard who never seemed to be up to much and even now looks out of sorts in the england team

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

As ever David Beckham showed his class  and ability again.   It is a real shame we don''t have a capable pacey player to go on the left wing.

As for Steve Mcclaren, Beckham has shown the idiocy of Mcclarens decision to drop him from the squad completely.

As for Gerard and Lampard!  WHY!!!!  why keep playting them together....  IN fact based on yesterday HOW is Lampard still in the starting XI!!!   Totally utterly awful.

[Iwan is God 0]

Beckham was awesome last night & I bet he''s gutted he has signed to play for LA Galaxy, as when he''s playing conference football he surely wont get picked for England again. He should have signed for Spurs or Newcastle & his place would then be guaranteed!

As for the Gerrard/Lampard fiasco, Mclaren hasn''t got the balls to drop Lampard so we''ll carry on watching his mediocre performances. Surely Gerrard/Carrick or Hargreaves would be the better midfield???

[7rew 0]

Not Gerrard/Carrick - for england Carrick is a defensive version of Lampard - does nothing!I''d go for an attack ofBecks  Gerrard  Hargreaves  J.Cole             Dyer                         Owen*With Becks subbed for Lennon/Wright-Phillips near the end when facing tired legs.*Dyer as Rooney is suspended.

[Iwan is God 0]

But we need a defensive midfielder to play in the middle with Gerrard, that way Gerrard can concentrate on what he does best... Attacking, without having to worry whether his midfield colleague will cover his ass! Carrick would do this well although I''d prefer hargreaves.

[Shack Attack 0]

Beckham showed exactly why he''s so valuable to England on Friday night, in my opinion.

When you''ve got a team packed with players who lack the technique and imagination to unlock an international defence it''s vitally important to get your set pieces right, as it''s your best chance of scoring a goal. Beckham still posseses the best delivery from free kicks and corners in the world so he has to play.

The only problem with his selection is that it means we have no real pace on either wing. The answer probably lies in a switch from the traditional 4-4-2 to the type of formation favoured by Milan, which Man Utd now also seem set to try for next season. Two deep lying midfielders, one who can tackle and one who can pass (Gattuso and Pirlo/Hargreaves and Beckham), a more traditional up and down type midfielder (Ambrosini/Gerrard) and two further forward (Kaka and Seedorf/Joe Cole and Rooney). You then need two attacking full backs to make up for the lack of width in midfield, Ashley Cole and Micah Richards are probably the best bet at the moment. The only problem I can see is that you need a real work horse as your lone sstriker, like Inzaghi for Milan, and I''m not sure that anyone in the current squad is capable of doing that job. Plus it means dropping Michael Owen, who is the only striker we''ve got with a proven international goal scoring record.

Unfortunately it will probably never happen though, as McClaren knows that after the 3-5-2 debacle in Croatia the press will crucify him if he strays from the 4-4-2, high tempo nonsense that they seem to love so much.