David Beckham ...

[Easy 10]

Well I, for one, will be HORRIFIED if Beckham is lining up as our midfield lynchpin in the World Cup next year. Something will have gone badly, BADLY wrong if that is what we are resorting to.

Lump all the platitudes you want on him tonight, but we were basically up against a bunch of goat-herders. Put Beckham in a midfield against a semi-competant International team in a World Cup, then sit back and just watch the catastrophe unfold.

 

[Mellotron]

Well I, for one, will be HORRIFIED if Beckham is lining up as our midfield lynchpin in the World Cup next year. Something will have gone badly, BADLY wrong if that is what we are resorting to.

Lump all the platitudes you want on him tonight, but we were basically up against a bunch of goat-herders. Put Beckham in a midfield against a semi-competant International team in a World Cup, then sit back and just watch the catastrophe unfold.

Exactamundo. Capello would NOT have started Beckham if England had been playing an actual football team tonight.

Maybe, MAYBE in the squad for World Cup, would rather not resort to that though. Good, if limited player in his time. And that's how he should be remembered.

David Beckham - Not as good as Paul Scholes.

 

[Easy 10]

Yeah.
He was great 4 years ago.

(when fit)

 

[Easy 10]

He was great last season for AC Milan. He was great just before that for Real Madrid. Not exactly a bad endorsement of his current abilities is it, Easy?

Sorry Badge, but if we are relying on His Royal Beckness next summer, then we are in serious, serious trouble.
In the squad ? Sure. Bring him on for 20 to try something different.
Starting ? Oh dear. We're f***ed.

 

[Easy 10]

I can't see Fab starting him consistently unless we have injuries to a couple of key midfielders. That's not to say I wouldn't consider it, but I don't think Fab will. So your mind can be safely put to rest on that score.

Where I do think Becks could be brilliant is, as you say, as an impact sub. We can argue all day about whether his legs have gone and how productive he is these days, but the one thing that isn't up for debate is his ability to play a killer ball/cross. In tight games against top sides, bringing him on for 20-30 minutes and hoping he produces one moment of magic could reap dividends. He's the sort of player who could conjure up a fantastic ball and win us a match from nothing. Come on, he's got to be more useful in a world cup squad than the likes of Jermaine Jenas or Shaun Wright-Phillips. If he's not on that plane I'm going to be one angry man.

Yup. I agree with that.
Impact sub is now his role - long as thats the idea, then give me my ticket. I'm on board.

 

[beorhthelm]

David Beckham - Not as good as Paul Scholes.

nor half the rest of our midfield.

Limited? LIMITED?! Are you serious?

I am 22 years old and David Beckham is, without doubt, the greatest English player I have seen play for our country. The model professional, a true gentleman, and a world-class player. If we'd have had 11 Beckham's in the last decade we'd have won major tournaments, of that I am sure.

the greatest in the past 10 years? better than Owen? really better than Gerrard, Barry or even Lampard (when he's on form). you're being taken in by the hype. he is undoubtedly one of the best English players and his long time at successfulll Man U and Real Madrid prove that. but he is limited in the what he excels at, basically to passing and free kicks. he cant tackle, and doesnt have as much pace as you'd expect for a player spenting majority of time on wing, he doesnt really fit either central midfield or wing position properly. the other midfielders mentioned are much more rounded players.

in the past we've always played a somewhat one dimensional game when he's on the pitch which we saw for spells last night. dozens of long balls into the box will eventually catch out average defences but doesnt work with strong opposition which is why we failed in previous campaigns. he's always been an impact player really, a brlliant free kick or an occasional laser guided through ball (but we have other players capable of that on occasion too).

David Beckham - not as good as the hype.

 

[little al]

He is a one trick pony. He cant tackle, he can't head........

 

[Brighton Boys on tour]

i thought beckham was great also,nearly spot on passes all the time!!!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

He was what we know. He played too deep (Terry going past him at times). He was slow (ok tonight against Andorra). He took all the free-kicks (where is the surprise). He can hit a pass - and that is fine - but there was little variation. What we needed (as pointed out by Sheringham at half-time) was movement and quick passing. That is not his game.

Thanks Becks - great player for England in his day - but not a man for the World Cup.

 

[JJ McClure]

Johnson was certainly a worthy MOm last night but Beckham wasn't too far behind. His range of passing was brilliant, just a shame that his corners were pony.
And yes beorhthelm his is better than Owen, Gerrard, Barry and Lampard.

 

[skipper734]

He did play deeper than usual last night, I believe that was his brief. The team had a wall of 11 players standing in front of them, a long ball over the top, to feet is a good way to combat this. Beckham is supreme at it. Imo.

 

[strings]

I think he played well last night, however I am a bit of a fence sitter when it comes to Beckham's England future. He should be in the squad for the next world cup, provided that he can continue to play top-level football. However, unless injuries/suspensions dictate, I would not have him in my starting 11.

I think that he could probably do a job coming on with 20 minutes to go after Walcott or Wright-Phillips have run the defence ragged. As we saw last night he isn't bad emergency cover in centre-midfield, but come the world cup we should hopefully have Barry, Hargreaves and Carrick fighting for that position.

 

[Billy the Fish]

the greatest in the past 10 years? better than Owen? really better than Gerrard, Barry or even Lampard (when he's on form).

in terms of actual performances for england then he's better than all of those players. Gerrard and Lampard have never reproduced their club form for england. I've seen Beckham carry the team on a number of occasions.

I still haven't seen anything from Wallcott, Lennon or SWP to suggest they will ever be as good as Beckham was. They're just a load of pace but no end product, the opposite of Beckham in fact.

 

[Giraffe]

Beck's is class. End of. But last night was the equivalent of Liverpool playing Crawley and Gerrard bossing the midfield. Really was a pointless fixture in which to judge anyone.

That said I have always said that Beckham should continue to play, not necessarily starting, but certainly good for the last half hour when one he is highly likely to create a goal with a cross or pass.

Personally I like him in central midfield as he is at his best when on the ball, but I guess he may get overrun against better opposition.

 

[Giraffe]

Oh and also, he is the one player that gives 100% every minute he is wearing an England shirt. That for me merits his inclusion.

 

[seagulls4ever]

Beckham was pretty damn good but Johnson was most definetely MOM last night. 4 assists, he got.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Oh and also, he is the one player that gives 100% every minute he is wearing an England shirt. That for me merits his inclusion.

I think there's generally a split in opinion with prople who actually follow england and those who don't. Talk to anyone at an England away game and you won't hear a bad word about Beckham, because they've seen him sweat blood for england for the last 11 years.