OT: NO TON UP FOR BECKHAM

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:06

Apparently, according to Auntie Beeb, Mr B is not going to get his 100th cap

Strikes me as a silly move by the new manager.

It would cost nothing to let him hit this milestone (even as a five min sub) and is, I think going to make people think the new manager is a total tool with an axe to grind rather than hard nosed which is what he probably wants

Sentiment still has some part to play in professional sport, I think

Slapsie

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:12

Personally I welcome it. For too long England friendlies haven't been taken seriously.

I remember when Englad friendlies actually meant something and players actually gave 100% every game and didn't just know they will play every England game.

Capello has historically had a strong, sometimes stubborn mind and doesn't let people take the piss (Totti, Beckham, Cassano, Ronaldo, Del Piero, Zidane, Figo to name a few).

Maybe if Beckham played better in the WC, he wouldn't have missed games under McClaren?!

It's nice to know that the England team won't always be:

Robinson, Cole, Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard, Beckham, Gerrard, Owen, Rooney, AN Other

Provided they are all fit.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:42

Considering what Beckham has done for England over the years I think it's a travesty. He almost singlehandedly got them to the World Cup in 2002.

(craig) · Post by **(craig)** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:44

Why is it a silly move? New manager wants to suss out his best team, why pick an inactive underperforming player?

At least we finally have a manager that does not cave in to media and celebrity pressure, hopefully he can instill some pride and passion in the other 11 muppets.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:49

nickd wrote:Considering what Beckham has done for England over the years I think it's a travesty. He almost singlehandedly got them to the World Cup in 2002.

Which was almost 6 years ago. Does that mean we should give Lineker another game so he can equal Bobby Charlton's record?

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:50

He shouldn't be gifted his 100th cap IMO. He hasn't played a competitive game in god knows how long. Beckhams been excellent for us over the years, but I've got no room for sentiment

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:51

I reckon it costs nothing to let someone hit the ton and then let him go

Sir Alf understood with some of his players.

The 100 cap thing matters and, even if it was a token appearance at the end of a match, it would still mark the move to a new era

To be honest, I would be less surprised if he had dropped Cole, Lampard etc who assume they are going to play every game.

slapsie

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:51

nickd wrote:Considering what Beckham has done for England over the years I think it's a travesty. He almost singlehandedly got them to the World Cup in 2002.

Single handedly? I dont buy into that, he played well against Greece but he had 14 free kicks before that last one hit the net.

David knew that by moving to the MLS he was putting his england career in serious jepordy, yet he made the move when he couldve easily played in Italy, England, Spain, Germany or just about any other top league. He chose to go to the US for moneytary reasons yet is now pining for his country. Christ, he's not even playing at all at the moemnt. Beckham chose money over football, now he has to suffer the consequences.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 31 Jan 2008, 08:56

I guess when he made the decision to go to the US last January he thought his international career was over, McClown only recalled him to the squad in May I wonder if he'd have made a different decision had he been part of McClown's plans earlier?

I wasn't just referring to the Greece game but in that match alone he must have covered every blade of grass twice while the muppets around him did all they could to throw qualification down the drain.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 31 Jan 2008, 09:00

nickd wrote:I guess when he made the decision to go to the US last January he thought his international career was over, McClown only recalled him to the squad in May I wonder if he'd have made a different decision had he been part of McClown's plans earlier?

I wasn't just referring to the Greece game but in that match alone he must have covered every blade of grass twice while the muppets around him did all they could to throw qualification down the drain.

Playing for England had feck all to do with the U.S.

$127,000,000.00 and Los Angeles had everything to do with playing in the U.S.

As I said before, Lineker single handedly got us through the group stages in 86, so does he deserve to play another game for Englad to see if he can score that 49th goal.

No.

England is a team, not a boys club. It's bout time the players realised that.

states · Post by **states** » 31 Jan 2008, 09:15

No complaints from me. If he's not going to figure in any England games after this one (which, playing in the U.S., he's not likely to), why should he play in this one? So he doesn't get to 100 caps. Big deal. Better players than him won far less. In fact, I think only 4 players have won more caps than Beckham.

I've no time for sentiment here. This England team needs a kick up the arse, not pat-on-the-back caps.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 31 Jan 2008, 09:16

I think it's a good move.

Beckham can always earn his 100th cap, it's not like he's too old to make the grade, though playing in Los Angeles with a bunch of geriatrics and never-weres is hardly going to sharpen him for top flight football.

I think Capello's non sentimental move sends out the right message, play your way into the team or piss off.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 31 Jan 2008, 10:00

Capello should remember his mistake of leaving Beckham out at Real Madrid before he brought him back and had the league title handed to him as a result.

Beckham should be picked and more so, with Terry injured, be Captain, without question, for this friendly just so he can get his 100th cap. Sub him towards the end if need be and then allow him the standing ovation he deserves for past performances. Then, even Beckham would accept that his era is over and that was his swansong. Then the rebuilding can begin without any obligation to Beckham's legacy.

For me, it's a disgrace to not allow him to play this friendly match and gain his 100th cap now just as it was not to allow Cloughie to lead the team.

He single handedly ran the team on many occasions and if playing keepy-uppy on a Brazilian beach sends out the wrong message then perhaps he should be pissed up in a Barbers chair to satisfy the FA's criteria.

I recently witnessed Beckham training at Arsenal first hand and let me tell you he is as fit as a butchers dog and fitted in perfectly in 11-a-side training matches with Arsenal.

Capello will piss off the real fans if he denies Beckham his chance. He should remember, it was Beckham's perfomances at Madrid that indirectly gave Capello the chance of being England Manager in the first place.

Forget the celebrity bit, Beckham is as good a player as England have ever had and only a twat like McClaren would fail to realise it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 31 Jan 2008, 10:06

My issue with Beckahm over the years, is that having him in the squad distorts the shape of the side, with the ball constantly being played into far right wing, for Beckham to curl the ball in, rather than any attempt being made to play through the middle from midfield.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 31 Jan 2008, 10:23

James.

The only way we've scored goals for five years despite the presence of supposedly wordl class players like Gerrard and Lampard is to give it Beckham from dead balls situations or give it him on the right wing.

Beckham has been our only meaningful outlet aside from the odd bit of brilliance from Rooney.

I think Boxing Chat hit the nail on the head. Give him his cap, sub him, close it off and move on. H'e have filled Wembley, done the honourable thing and lfet everyone psoitive.

I much rather he dropped the twats from Chelsea.

Cole-Terry-Cole-Lampard....over-rated ervyone.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jan 2008, 10:25

What formation is Cappello mooted to be looking at using? Does he favour the standard 4-4-2 ?
If Cappello doesnt want beckham in then fair enough. Everyone should eb getting behind the manager and pushing the team forwards. No one player is bigger than the progression of the national side.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 31 Jan 2008, 11:02

DavidPayne wrote:James.

The only way we've scored goals for five years despite the presence of supposedly wordl class players like Gerrard and Lampard is to give it Beckham from dead balls situations or give it him on the right wing.

Beckham has been our only meaningful outlet aside from the odd bit of brilliance from Rooney.

I think Boxing Chat hit the nail on the head. Give him his cap, sub him, close it off and move on. H'e have filled Wembley, done the honourable thing and lfet everyone psoitive.

I much rather he dropped the twats from Chelsea.

Cole-Terry-Cole-Lampard....over-rated ervyone.

Agreed, no CFC players deliver for England, although I have to question who else you could put in. However, keepers must be James and Green.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 31 Jan 2008, 11:08

DavidPayne wrote:James.

The only way we've scored goals for five years despite the presence of supposedly wordl class players like Gerrard and Lampard is to give it Beckham from dead balls situations or give it him on the right wing.

Beckham has been our only meaningful outlet aside from the odd bit of brilliance from Rooney.

I think Boxing Chat hit the nail on the head. Give him his cap, sub him, close it off and move on. H'e have filled Wembley, done the honourable thing and lfet everyone psoitive.

I much rather he dropped the twats from Chelsea.

Cole-Terry-Cole-Lampard....over-rated ervyone.

Well if the ball is constantly passed to Beckham to curl in from the right wing, then it's hardly surprising if the only goal scoring chances come from there, it's what happens 75% of the time England had the ball when Beckham was still playing for England.

I think that a different pattern of play should have been attempted.

Truth is though, at international level, not enough of our players are capable of delivering at the same time, nor forming a cohesive team which plays well together.

If anyone can do it, I think Capello can, though I always wanted Martin O Neil in the job.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 31 Jan 2008, 11:17

Wales wrote:What formation is Cappello mooted to be looking at using? Does he favour the standard 4-4-2 ?
If Cappello doesnt want beckham in then fair enough. Everyone should eb getting behind the manager and pushing the team forwards. No one player is bigger than the progression of the national side.

At AC Milan - 1-3-4-2 or 1-3-4-1

Real - 2-2-1-3-1-1 (wingbacks, dm and Raul floating)

Roma - 4-1-3-1-1 (dm and Totti floating)

He does tend to adjust his formation to the team he inherits TBH, with the exception of his first stint in Milan, which he created virtually from scratch.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » 31 Jan 2008, 11:21

He shouldnt have missed as many games under McClaren just because the manager stupidly wanted to show he was bigger than the players but thats not Capello's problem. Why should he use this next game as Beckham's farewell? He should start as he means to go on and hopefully pick the best 11 players on merit. It would be nice to see DB get his 100th cap but he effecively gave up on his career the day he left Europe and stopped playing at the top level.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jan 2008, 11:41

Aaron Lennon in the U21 squad! Thought Taylor of Newcastle might have got into the full squad too.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 31 Jan 2008, 12:16

Curtis Davies is the surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's first England squad, while David Beckham will not win his 100th cap against Switzerland and Paul Robinson has been left out.

New England coach Capello has selected a provisional 30-man squad for the game at Wembley against the Euro 2008 co-hosts on Wednesday 6th February.

Aston Villa defender Davies, who is currently on loan from West Brom, is picked for the first time after making just eight Premier League appearances this season.

Davies' club colleague Gabriel Agbonlahor is also included, while the likes of Glen Johnson, Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate are also back in the international setup.

But there is no place in the squad for Robinson, with the Spurs keeper not currently first choice at club - Capello has selected David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland as his goalkeepers.

As expected, former captain Beckham will not be involved in the game, with Capello citing the midfielder's lack of match fitness for his omission.

John Terry, who was skipper under previous coach Steve McClaren, is missing through injury, along with Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.

Spurs strikers Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent are not included the squad, but Michael Owen is selected despite his recent poor form for Newcastle United.

England squad: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City) Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur) Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 31 Jan 2008, 12:24

Curtis Davies is a class act, but I'm surprised to see him get the call up so quick. Thats got to be an extra couple of £m on his worth

Rocky Balboa · Post by **Rocky Balboa** » 31 Jan 2008, 12:48

From a personal view, I hope Beckham does get his 100 cap. McLaren left him out of the team & when he came back in, Beckham had a positive impact on the games he played in.

Anyway, what's all the big deal for? Capello won't win shit with England. Ok, so there's a different manager now, but in the game against Croatia, one thing was proved. No matter how much skill & ability you have, if you don't have motivation or a work ethic, it all counts for nothing.

Can someone please tell me how a player who gets paid £100,000 per week can have the same hunger, drive & determination as a player who doesn't get paid anywhere near that amount?

See, if Capello doesn't win anything, he either leaves or gets the sack, which he would be compensated for. The team not qualifying for Euro 2008 didn't make any difference to the players, they still got paid each week, etc, etc.

Boxing's my sport, anyway. Footbaall & boxing don't even come close in my book. Boxing's a much harder, sterner sport, where sacrifices are much greater. You don't play boxing, but you play football.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 31 Jan 2008, 12:53

Its still a struggle to see anyone who is better than him on the right hand side. Aint convinced by Wright Phillips and Arron Lennon hasn't recaptured his early promise yet.

Thats the principle difference between Beckham and brining back Linekar - Beckham is still the best option in his position.

I think he should have made the squad so Capello's team could assess his fitness. If Capello deemed him unfit then, fair enough not pick him for the 22.

Had Lineker wished to carry on his career at Grampus 8 then I think he should have been picked - cause he was still probably the best option (although he didn't have a good spell there).