Beckham

[The L J Monk]

Torn his Achilles tendon, looks like he'll miss the World Cup. A blessing in disguise perhaps as he's a shadow of his former self. It's a sad way for his England career to end though as it's unlikely he'd feature beyond South Africa.

[thornerover94]

The L J Monk wrote:

Torn his Achilles tendon, looks like he'll miss the World Cup. A blessing in disguise perhaps as he's a shadow of his former self. It's a sad way for his England career to end though as it's unlikely he'd feature beyond South Africa.[/quote

how can you say he a shadow of his former self, he may not have the pace he once had and cant play a full game but he was sublime against man u last week when he came on he had a great effort which was well saved and every ball in the box was brilliant name me a better crosser of the ball that england are taking to the world cup??? none

[The L J Monk]

Well you've answered your own question haven't you?? He's got no pace and can't play a full game. He's been reduced to bit-part cameo roles and his most important position for England of late has been as an ambassador for the 2018 bid.

[thornerover94]

you dont need pace or the stamina for a full game he can change a game in 20 mins as a sub, only takes a second to score a goal not mins

[Thinwhiteduke]

Beckham out.

Ahhh well! Stuff happens...no great loss.

[River Don]

So long as it remains just Beckham, normally Englands best player is crocked/struggling for fitness just before any World Cup.

Jimmy Greaves, Kevin Keegan, Brian Robson, Gary Linekar, Paul Gascoign. It was ever thus, I hate to say it but it's probably only a matter of time now until Rooney does his cruciate ligament.

[danrover82]

I'm chuffed to bits:woohoo: . I have thought for a long time that his cameo appearances for England was nothing more than a PR stunt and a joke for the bid. At least Shilts did it on merit.

Capello never wanted him to feature and I think he bowed to pressure from the powers above. As he has never played him during the most important games.  

Overall it wouldn't have made a scrap of difference to our chances in South Africa. It just gives two extra places (with Owen included) for potential stars to stake their claim in history.

[danrover82]

Rigoglioso wrote:

Some of these statements about Beckham only being in the team because of a PR stunt are ridiculous. He's been in the England team over the past year or so because he still offers something.

Ridiculous? Not at all my friend. Its been proven times many, his appearances have been subject of ridicule for a long time now. 10 mins here 3 mins there. The only time he got longer than 20 mins were against teams my 6 year old could beat. He is the face of 2018 and you couldn't really have a player who was dropped by his national coach as the face of the current campaign could you? now that would be ridiculous.

Rigoglioso wrote:

You also have to remember that the bloke who omitted Beckham from the England set-up in the first place was the football genius named Steve McLaren. And when things started to go disastrously wrong during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Macca was quick to recall Beckham to the England team ahead of the game in Estonia.

Macca = $hit granted, but his failing were not just the fact he had the balls to drop Golden Balls. Ahead of which opponents.... oh yeah Estonia, enough said!

Rigoglioso wrote:

The end of Beckham's England career (which is what this moment now is), is still one of those sad \"Cast - Walkaway\" moments. He has served the country brilliantly over the past 14 years and we should remember that rather than writing drivel about his last few appearances being some kind of PR stunt.

Cost us world cup in 1998 with childish kick when he was on the floor - beacme a massive public hate figure in the process if I remeber rightly.

Yes he was excellent on his day, but it doesnt take anything away from the fact he was a PR stunt under Capello and I am not the only one to think this. Look at the facts of appearnces and the teams they are against, its self explanitory. His longest appearances were against lesser teams and he wouldn't of changed anything being in South Africa.

[VikingJames]

Gutted for Beckham more than anything. That was the last world cup he had a chance of playing in, as he will be 39 by the time the next one comes around after 2010!

[Biggles]

Its a disappointing way for any player to end his international career, never mind one who has given so much to the England team over the years.

But it does free up a place for Adam Johnson (hopefully).

[Simple]

A few surprising comments here on Becks, he's been a great servant for England and will continue to be a good ambassador for the English game.

He was in the squad on merit and as has been said his crossing ability is still second to none.  Regarding lack of pace, he never had pace in the first place so hardly makes a difference. Capello could easily have dropped him like Owen.

It's a sad way to depart if that is the end of his career, at least he got his last hurrah at Old Trafford last week.

[Filo]

danrover82 wrote:

I'm chuffed to bits:woohoo: . I have thought for a long time that his cameo appearances for England was nothing more than a PR stunt and a joke for the bid

Chuffed to bits that someone has suffered a career threatening injury?


You need your head looking at mate!

[rtid88]

Am I the only one that thinks Beckham will be greatly missed from the squad? I think he had a big part to play for the squad at the world cup. He does a great job coming into the game when he are winning to steady the ship, or coming into the game and producing a defense spliting pass to set up a goal.

Not only that but his mere presence and experience will be missed and I feel our squad is a lot worse without him. I feel very sorry for Becks and hope that we may see him again in an England shirt!!

[i_ateallthepies]

No ritd88, you're not the only one.  There's some proper numpties on this thread.  Becks was pure class with the quality of his delivery.  The likes of which we may never see again.  He's been one of the true greats of the English game.

[Biggles]

i_ateallthepies wrote:

No ritd88, you're not the only one.  There's some proper numpties on this thread.  Becks was pure class with the quality of his delivery.  The likes of which we may never see again.  He's been one of the true greats of the English game.

You don't know what you've lost till its gone?

I had the pleasure of watching Becks at Wembley for England last year. It was a masterclass in passing and positioning.

[rtid88]

The commitment that Becks has shown to the England team and to the game by moving to AC Milan to try and keep himself fit and put himself in a position where he can be an active member of the England squad is unbelievable. I bet there are not many other members of the current England team that would give that much commitment to get picked for his country.

He is truely proud to wear the three lions on his shirt and other then Rooney there are not many other players that I can think of especially after watching that performance against Egypt that are proud and passionate to play for their national team.

He is a true professional and a true England Legend!

[The L J Monk]

I think everyone is agreed it's very sad that his international, and possibly domestic, career has ended like this. However he had become no more than a fringe squad player. Rob Smyth pretty much summed it up for me in today's Guardian when he said \"The romantic notion of him seizing the day and inspiring England to glory was poppycock; he simply was not going to start a game. That is not to say he had no part to play. His craft, experience and peerless crossing ability would have ensured a few substitute cameos, but England have far greater concerns at the moment: all outfield positions bar those occupied by Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard, in fact.

There are worries over the form of Emile Heskey, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry and John Terry, and the fitness of Lennon, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole. All are in Capello's preferred XI, a position that Beckham was never going to achieve – partly because of his reduced effectiveness at the age of 34 but particularly because Capello has identified the right-wing position as the only one in midfield and attack through which he can infuse the side with the scorching pace and directness that is so important in modern football.

[thornerover94]

he obviously doesnt know what hes talkin about then just like you beckham is a world class player who can more than justify a place in anyones team its a sad moment that a player of such quality will be missing from the england squad come south africa and if we get beat there may just be a moment there where you will have thought we could have used then like a 90 min free kick or a cross that just didnt make it onto rooneys head

[The L J Monk]

Right, glad you've cleared that up for me then son. This is the same player who has barely featured in a qualifying campaign that was almost unprecedented in its success and who hasn't scored for England for nearly 4 years.

If Beckham was world class, as you so bizarrely claim, then surely he would be one of the first names on Capello's teamsheet? I tend to back the opinion of a proven international manager rather than that of someone who has yet to master the complexities of punctuation.

[thornerover94]

so you are one who has never criticised a manager for his selection of his team or who he brings on in a match im sure you have as we all have, IMO beckham will be greatly missed from the world cup, there isnt and probably never will be a better crosser/passer of the ball to wear a england shirt

[The L J Monk]

Thankfully your opinion on this matter counts for nothing as Beckham won't be going to the World Cup, unless he's wheeled out by the BBC as the punditry antithesis of Ian Wright.

[thornerover94]

i think beckham deserves more repect for what he has done and what he could have done if not for the injury everyone is so quick to criticise a player when he cant prove them wrong

[The L J Monk]

How can you respect someone for a hypothetical act? He's had 4 years to earn a place in the England first XI and he hasn't been good enough. I think the majority of people, myself included, respect him for his contribution over the years but there comes a time when you have to move on. That time has come.

[danrover82]

Filo wrote:

danrover82 wrote:

I'm chuffed to bits:woohoo: . I have thought for a long time that his cameo appearances for England was nothing more than a PR stunt and a joke for the bid

Chuffed to bits that someone has suffered a career threatening injury?


You need your head looking at mate!

Yeah I'm Chuffed to bits he wont feature in the summer. I wouldn't wish the injury on anyone and its a shame its a potentially a career ender, but I am glad he wont be in the squad at South Africa at least we can see the the young lads coming through and staking their claim for the future. Its been pointed out above he played no major part in us qualifying for the finals or contributed much in the last 4 years, cause he has passed it.


As for the other posts Beckham has only travelled the world as much as he as with Milan/Galaxy for his own personal gain and the fact he made a monumental c*ck up signing for Galaxy... Not the fact he cares about the national team that he should be hailed as a saint ffs.Could we have won the likes of Brazil etc? we will never no for the sending off now, same as the Rooney one a few years ago, but one thing is for sure we'dhave had a better chance playing them.

His appearances have become a joke and made mockery of the capps system. The players he has overtook recently were never lesser players like its suggested now through the 3 mins here 5 mins there cameo appearnaces. What was he going to change in these appearances?  Nothing, clear PR stun in my eyes. Bigger teams, meant he hardly featured other than sub/cameo. Lesser teams he played more of a role. Butter it up as you like, with fitness etc it wont change my ideas or many others.

He can cross a ball granted, but so can most players in the frame. He scored 17 goals from 100+ games I think, but most from free kicks which he wouldn't let anyone else near the hundreds he has taken. Not a brilliant ratio is it.

Was he going to win us the cup or play a massive part in our campaign? No

Are our chances worse now he is injured? Not really, there are more important players.

Like I've said, sorry its happened like it has, but the team can move on and grow stronger together, onwards to the finals!

[Crowle Rover]

One point about this number of caps lark.
 If Beckham and his fellow countrymen were any good at taking penalties he'd have
 got the record years ago!
 And I dont think we'll miss him either.

[graingrover]

I agree with Thornerover .. Becks is the  guy who could still come on and turn a match around by his free- kicks from outside the area and his killer crosses . England has no one who can do either as well as he can.He may only be left with those two dimensions to his game but he exploits them with consummate skill and  experience .

[CusworthRovers]

I would be concerned though, if we had to base our game-plan on freekicks and delivering crosses.

An easy tactic to combat. 1 quick hard as nails defender would soon stop the crosses or 2 doubling up on him. Also don't concede on the edge of the box, et voila, Plan A is out of the window.

IMO...Fergie got the best years out of him football wise and off the pitch with merchandising. He knew when he'd reached his peak and then the slow slow decline. Also, England got the same deal on and off the pitch. A great player on the pitch back in his prime and an ambassador/money making machine off it for club and country. One cannot fault the lad.

I do feel today his greatest asset to his club and country is now more off the pitch than on it. He is still a world ambassador and can thrust or keep any club in the limelight. He is still a money making machine for the FA and no England manager will be allowed to drop him, whilst he's still something like.

Very much a wheel him him out for a cameo role for club and country, to keep the image rights at the optimum value. I am just hoping he will not allow himself to be prostituted and turned into a cash cow. I am just hoping he's proud and wise enough to know when his services are being sought after for money rather than the talent he has/had.

[fudgepacker]

danrover82 wrote:

Filo wrote:

danrover82 wrote:

I'm chuffed to bits:woohoo: . I have thought for a long time that his cameo appearances for England was nothing more than a PR stunt and a joke for the bid

Chuffed to bits that someone has suffered a career threatening injury?


You need your head looking at mate!

Yeah I'm Chuffed to bits he wont feature in the summer. I wouldn't wish the injury on anyone and its a shame its a potentially a career ender, but I am glad he wont be in the squad at South Africa at least we can see the the young lads coming through and staking their claim for the future. Its been pointed out above he played no major part in us qualifying for the finals or contributed much in the last 4 years, cause he has passed it.


As for the other posts Beckham has only travelled the world as much as he as with Milan/Galaxy for his own personal gain and the fact he made a monumental c*ck up signing for Galaxy... Not the fact he cares about the national team that he should be hailed as a saint ffs.Could we have won the likes of Brazil etc? we will never no for the sending off now, same as the Rooney one a few years ago, but one thing is for sure we'dhave had a better chance playing them.

His appearances have become a joke and made mockery of the capps system. The players he has overtook recently were never lesser players like its suggested now through the 3 mins here 5 mins there cameo appearnaces. What was he going to change in these appearances?  Nothing, clear PR stun in my eyes. Bigger teams, meant he hardly featured other than sub/cameo. Lesser teams he played more of a role. Butter it up as you like, with fitness etc it wont change my ideas or many others.

He can cross a ball granted, but so can most players in the frame. He scored 17 goals from 100+ games I think, but most from free kicks which he wouldn't let anyone else near the hundreds he has taken. Not a brilliant ratio is it.

Was he going to win us the cup or play a massive part in our campaign? No

Are our chances worse now he is injured? Not really, there are more important players.

Like I've said, sorry its happened like it has, but the team can move on and grow stronger together, onwards to the finals!

Would we have qualified for the Euro's if he hadn't scored that last minute free kick against Greece at Old Trafford?

Its all ifs and maybe's. The one thing that is certain is that he was world class in his day and he is still a better passer, free kick taker and crosser of the ball than what we otherwise have.