David "1 shot 1 cross Man of the match" Beckham

[drew]

Yep. The ever improving Lennon and Walcott please.

Wouldn't argue with that.

its not about "who knows more" its about the Beckham lovin with the media and some commentators. Really on reflection Backham being MoM for the performance he gave suggests the rest of the team were poor.

And Capello himself was surprised at it.

you've watched Italian football? lack of pace really not an issue.

Why if one player is given MOM does that imply the rest were poor. That is just dumb. There is only one MOM award. The whole team could have been out of this world but still only one player would have got the award. I thought Beckham did change the dynamics of the game when he came on but that doesn't mean I think the rest of the team were crap. Are you going to suggest we were in complete control of the game and that Belarus were not getting back into it with a lot more possession than us?

It seems Beckham is the proverbial marmite player. There are those that cannot seem to forgive him for the money he's made or the pantomime that follows him around. I couldn't give a toss about that. It is what he does on the pitch that is important.

What about Milner. I think he offers better delivery than those two with added strength not to be knocked off the ball. Probably better support to Cashley Cole and/ or Glum Johnson

Take all three. Milner can also fill in at left back as well as play on the left or right. And you're right, he does offer better delivery although reading some of the posts on here you would think some would rather see someone who can run like Usain Bolt irrespective of any football ability!

 

[simmo]

Binfest

One the one hand Sun/Daily Mail reading idiots.

In the pro-Beckham Camp: Capello, Ancellotti and Steve Bruce,

Mmm, who do I think know's more about football?

What an absolutely absurd comment. I don't read any papers. I just see what is on the TV screen. I don't need any papers to tell me what I think about a football game/player.

 

[drew]

It's (fairly obviously) a tough one. There is a pre-disposition to select 'flair' players, which would put Paul Gascoigne (although he was at his height slightly more than 15 years ago, and I would argue is a different 'generation' to Beckham) and Paul Scholes at the top of the list. Narrowing down the list to those that I would define as truly world class, I came up with this list (and probably still have some glaring omissions).

Paul Gascoigne
Paul Scholes
Alan Shearer
Michael Owen
Gary Neville
David Beckham
Tony Adams

I came to football slightly too late to see Gazza in his pomp, so given that;

1. Paul Scholes
2. Alan Shearer
3. David Beckham

However I'm quite willing to accept that my selection is biased towards attackers, as these kinds of selections frequently are!

I take your point but would always argue that flair players are the true greats as they are the ones that entertain the crowd. Adams and Neville were fantastic defenders but their job was to stop others playing football. Also, Scholes ducked out of international duty far too soon and Shearer was forced to by injury. Of those three, I would still put Beckham at the top for his skill, longevity and influence in the game but Shearer wouldn't be too far behind (obviously not in respect of the longevity bit).

 

[sten_super]

I take your point but would always argue that flair players are the true greats as they are the ones that entertain the crowd. Adams and Neville were fantastic defenders but their job was to stop others playing football. Also, Scholes ducked out of international duty far too soon and Shearer was forced to by injury. Of those three, I would still put Beckham at the top for his skill, longevity and influence in the game but Shearer wouldn't be too far behind (obviously not in respect of the longevity bit).

I would certainly put Beckham at the top of the list for commitment, effort and actual performances for England (he's performed over a sustained number of years whereas Shearer was excellent for two and a half years, Euro96 to WC98). I suppose when I say best what I really mean is most talented. I certainly think that Scholes is the most naturally talented England player of the past 15 years, but Beckham is the one that has maximised his talent and produced the most for England.

 

[CHAPPERS]

What about Milner. I think he offers better delivery than those two with added strength not to be knocked off the ball. Probably better support to Cashley Cole and/ or Glum Johnson

Correct. I would play Milner ahead of both Lennon and SWP (Walcott has to paly if you ask me) as he offers a lot more to the midfield as a whole. Barry and Lampard struggled last night because of the lack of help from the wide players so could never fully get in to the game. Milner also offers better delivery than both and can take set pieces, which Lampard again proved he is f***ing useless at.

 

[simmo]

Beckham has been a magnificent servant for English football and as a dead ball specialist he is top drawer and he has a good engine. He won the Greece game single handed and was a shining light in the times when things were not so good. However, as a footballer though he is not fit to lace Gazza's boots, never as good as Shearer and in the present England side Rooney is a much more talented player.

At the moment the Hollywood passes (that rarely actually get to another England player and have never to my knowledge actually led to an England goal) paper over the fact that he just doesn't fit into the way that we are trying to play, because he is not quick enough and is obviously not going to get any faster. The reason we blew Croatia out of the water (twice) was because of our speed, with the ball and in closing down the opposition when they have the ball. In the friendly against Germany we did so to and the 2nd half against Holland we did as well. It is very encouraging to see and Cappello can hopefully raise us to the next level by making us tighter at the back, where we can seriously challenge against the Brazil's and Spain's of this world. Beckham is not the answer for us to do this because sadly he is too slow to play as a winger, he cannot beat his man and will be crossing from too deep and it will be easy pickings for a decent centre half. The only other place you could possibly argue he could play is Barry's position, but I am not sure Barry (there is still potentially Hargreaves/Joe Cole/SWP/Lennon/Lampard/Gerrard/Walcott/Millner etc.) is guaranteed a first XI spot in the perfect injury free England side. It really does I guess depend on whom Cappello has fit to choose from come selection time in May.

On another point I would like to see Carlton Cole given a go in the frriendlies. He was great against Holland when he came on and I think he could be a player that plays the Heskey role and scores more goals to boot. Rooney is our best player by a mile and to get the best out of him he likes playing with a big man up front.

 

[NS Herald]

What about Milner. I think he offers better delivery than those two with added strength not to be knocked off the ball. Probably better support to Cashley Cole and/ or Glum Johnson

Milner would certainly be in my squad. He works very hard, has pace and quality with both feet and a good brain. Taking Beckham will be a luxury we cannot afford although I am pretty sure Capello will choose him in the final shake up.

 

[Storer68]

Best English player of the last 20 years. Absolute legend. Love him. Enough said.

Still.....
Scored as many goals at Wembley as...........................




ME

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

I was at the game last night, and love him or loathe him, he certainly lifted the crowd, and the rest of the team when he came on.

SA - yes I'd take him. But I'd take a fit Michael Owen too.

 

[Storer68]

It always makes me laugh at people's reactions to Beckham....bottom line is this....if Beckham is so shit, unfit lacks pace etc etc, then why are one of the best Italian teams currently looking to sign him on again for another spell at their club and why did they try so damn hard to get him out of his contract at LAG?

Anyone who watched last night cannot fail to see that as in loads of games he plays these days, when he comes on he gives us something different...a gee up perhaps, more width perhaps, or just maybe he is still a tremendous footballer!

Don't forget his magnificent ability to SHIFT PRODUCT for teams.

His shirt is the ONLY pre-presonalised LA Galaxy shirt you can buy. His face is one more LAG stuff than any other player.............

 

[drew]

Beckham has been a magnificent servant for English football and as a dead ball specialist he is top drawer and he has a good engine. He won the Greece game single handed and was a shining light in the times when things were not so good. However, as a footballer though he is not fit to lace Gazza's boots, never as good as Shearer and in the present England side Rooney is a much more talented player.

At the moment the Hollywood passes (that rarely actually get to another England player and have never to my knowledge actually led to an England goal) paper over the fact that he just doesn't fit into the way that we are trying to play, because he is not quick enough and is obviously not going to get any faster. The reason we blew Croatia out of the water (twice) was because of our speed, with the ball and in closing down the opposition when they have the ball. In the friendly against Germany we did so to and the 2nd half against Holland we did as well. It is very encouraging to see and Cappello can hopefully raise us to the next level by making us tighter at the back, where we can seriously challenge against the Brazil's and Spain's of this world. Beckham is not the answer for us to do this because sadly he is too slow to play as a winger, he cannot beat his man and will be crossing from too deep and it will be easy pickings for a decent centre half. The only other place you could possibly argue he could play is Barry's position, but I am not sure Barry (there is still potentially Hargreaves/Joe Cole/SWP/Lennon/Lampard/Gerrard/Walcott/Millner etc.) is guaranteed a first XI spot in the perfect injury free England side. It really does I guess depend on whom Cappello has fit to choose from come selection time in May.

.

what is it with your fixation about 'holywood passes'. You seem to think that is the only string to Beckhams bow. Yes, he does make some long passes into the space where the forwards/wingers should be running and sometimes they are overhit. Why is it these wonderful wingers with pace you bang on about aren't getting on the end of them? As per my earlier post, only Rooney, Gerrard and Johnson have assisted on more goals in this qualifying than Beckham and he never plays a whole game.

 

[Anchorman]

I'm amazed to find he is still any price you like to be Sports Personality of the year. I think those 20 minutes have swung it for him. Imagine the lift both the audience and the TV viewing public will get when he comes on stage. We'll have been stagnating wondering which world champion to vote for (in non football sports if you please) and he'll just take control of the program, start conducting interviews, introduce little features, the place will start buzzing. There could be a new shaped beard, tatoo or even new diamond jewellery not in one of his ears to admire. GET ON!

 

[beorhthelm]

Why if one player is given MOM does that imply the rest were poor. That is just dumb. There is only one MOM award. The whole team could have been out of this world but still only one player would have got the award. I thought Beckham did change the dynamics of the game when he came on but that doesn't mean I think the rest of the team were crap.

its just a suggestion, on the basis he got MoM because no-one else stood out. his introduction did change the dynamics, but as said thats not necessarily for the benefit long term (even in the context of a game). if England have a average game and Rooney scores the only goal, he'd be nailed on to get MoM; if its going badly and we salvage a draw a defender otr such is likely to get it for a few crucial tackles. seems beckham merely has to grace the pitch and industrious performances from Barry and two goals from Crouch are ignored. Anyway, Capello himslef compared it to Obamas Peace price apparently, say it all. lets leave it as Brucie currying favour.

on the other debates, Milner has to be on the plane for his no nonsence, do the job thats asked professional approach. of the other right wing canidates, SWP edges it over the Lennon as he can tackle and generally has a better allround game (like playing on the left). Walcott seems destined to go as 5th striker.

 

[magoo]

Cue binfest here, hello Easy 10

It was 1 shot and 2 good crosses to create shooting opportunities within 10 minutes of him coming on. He did give the team a lift when he came on. And yes i was there.

 

[Perry Milkins]

He did not choose himself as MoM. Why all the vitriol.

He seems far more passionate about playing for his country than messrs Ferdinand and Cole.

 

[drew]

He did not choose himself as MoM. Why all the vitriol.

He seems far more passionate about playing for his country than messrs Ferdinand and Cole.

Mix a bit of marmite with a bit of envy and that will explain the vitriol!

 

[Father Jack]

It's (fairly obviously) a tough one. There is a pre-disposition to select 'flair' players, which would put Paul Gascoigne (although he was at his height slightly more than 15 years ago, and I would argue is a different 'generation' to Beckham) and Paul Scholes at the top of the list. Narrowing down the list to those that I would define as truly world class, I came up with this list (and probably still have some glaring omissions).

Paul Gascoigne
Paul Scholes
Alan Shearer
Michael Owen
Gary Neville
David Beckham
Tony Adams

I came to football slightly too late to see Gazza in his pomp, so given that;

1. Paul Scholes
2. Alan Shearer
3. David Beckham

However I'm quite willing to accept that my selection is biased towards attackers, as these kinds of selections frequently are!

I would add David Seaman in Euro 1996 to that list.