Beckham

[Sam Slater]

Capello's no mug, Eric. Beckham impressed him at Real and forced his way back into the side. Alex Ferguson kept Beckham for about 14 years. He too is no mug at judging players.

You say Beckham wasn't/isn't creative? Ask any Man Utd player who has the most assists over the last 15 years. Look who had the most assists at Real Madrid while he was there. Who has the most assists for England over the last 10 years? I'd say he was very creative! lol!

I'll concede that he wasn't skilful in the way of dribbling and tricks; he was also over-hyped by some fans and the media, but that's not his problem. Most English players are over-hyped with today's sensationalist media because they know it builds up revenue in selling 'rags'.

You may not like the guy, or the hype, but you can't knock what he's achieved.

I must also stress that he seemed to be the only player who looked angry when England failed to qualify for Euro 08 - unlike Gerrard who just shrugged his shoulders and exclaimed 'life goes on, dunnit?'

[Ace]

I'd let him captain the England v USA game and say, '101..........out'

Or if Sir Alan Sugar was coach...............''You've failed, so you're fired!'

[Flat_Eric]

Sam - you may be right about the number of "assists" (one of those horrible Americanisms that's crept in in recent years) that Beckham has had. I don't have any stats to hand and can't be arsed checking up, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

But the bottom line is that **on the whole** and despite all the hype, he's under-performed time and again for England when it's mattered most - although to be fair he isn't the only one and you're right that the general attitude of much of the squad during and after the Croatia game stank, playing as they did like a right bunch of muppets.

Okay he's scored a few crucial goals down the years, but then again he's not the only one to have done so and the way some folk go on about him you'd think he's the only one who has.

True, Capello's no mug - but as you pointed out yourself higher up in the thread, what real alternatives are there at the moment in that position? And the dour Scotsman had him at Man Utd when he was at his peak.

Have to disagree with you though about the over-hype thing not being his fault.

I contend that's very much his fault - he's constantly sought out the limelight of the field for years, what with all those fashion-shoots, sponsorships, all the "Brand Beckham" nonsense etc. etc.

Yes, he's doubtless been egged on by that sour-faced bag of bones he's married to (she's even worse), but the guy clearly loves himself, the ego's there, and it needs constant massaging.

- Eric

[crofter]

Sam you seem to be talking mainly in "past tense" when you are talking about Beckham ... in my book if Beckham still had what it takes he wouldn't be out in the USA living it up - that probably tells you everything you need to know about the "current Mr. Beckham".

He really has done well for himself in football for all his limitations it does have to be said ...
can't beat a man 1 on 1
has no pace
can't tackle
poor goalscoring ratio for the positions he finds himself in
can far too easily lose the rag when things don't go to plan
can drift out of the game for large periods

ok he is a great crosser of a ball, and mainly superb at dead ball situations, but with his supposed skill he should bring more to the table than that.

[Flat_Eric]

crofter wrote:

>>


Sums it up perfectly.

- Eric

[Mike_CFC]

Beckham has been hit and miss for England since his debut against Moldova nearly 11 years ago.Fair enough,he got us out of jail a few times,but did make a prat out of himself a few times too.Anyways,his 100th cap is out of the way,personally i think Capello gave him the cap to shut him up and the money men at the FA as their whore will now go to seed as we enter a vital qualifying campaign where there will be no room for faliure.

David Bentley showed on Wednesday that he still has alot of work to do,but i would'nt rule him out,neither should we rule out Aaron Lennon,who can lack concentration and still needs to improve more consistently and effectively on his ball delivery but will get better under the stewardship of Ramos.

Two worthy candidates that will not carry the media circus with them either.