So big decision number two of McClaren's reign is something of a stinker as well. All this stuff about dropping Beckham to prove McClaren is his own man is bollocks. This is exactly what Eriksson would have done: a big gesture to please the fans and make a statement of independence - classic Sven.
Don't tell me it's a footballing decision, yes you need to freshen the squad up, but Beckham out but Jenas in the squad? Phil Neville!!! Please... How about dropping Lampard? Now that's a proper brave decision based on footballing matters. The sensible thing to do is keep Beckham in the squad and don't start him for a bit - see how he reacts.
I hope Beckham does get a call-up again, he still deserves to be in the squad (though not an automatic starter). Doesn't seem like that's the case, seems like he's being shut out, which is a real shame, because I think he still has something to offer.
I never thought that McClaren would be any cop (though now he's here I hope I'm wrong.) If the FA had any balls at all they would have hired O'Neill, but no, they wanted a nice malleable character. Don't they realise that that's never going to work when hiring an England manager? Alf Ramsey may have been a right pain for the FA to deal with, but he won the world cup - surely that's worth a few uncomfortable moments? It's just unfortunate that McClaren had that freak run in the UEFA cup around the time that the FA messed up getting Big Phil in.
Well, there we are. Thanks Becks, you gave us a fair few unforgettable moments,
So long, and thanks for all the free-kicks...
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Joe, even over the massive divide of several oceans our opinion will alas always differ on Becks (useless glamour boy twat) but we sing to the same hymn sheet on Neville (useless ugly twat).
Just cuaght up on all the blog entries. It's great, really good reading and interesting. I'll now look at heather's and let you know which is the best. Remember I only have one job being held open back here so she may get the nod ... :-)
Take care both of you and keep posting. This is now bookmarked and a must read,
Stu
cheers Stu
You can dislike Becks all you want, but I wouldn't say he was useless. He was involved in most of our goals at the World Cup (and yes I know we were poor at the world Cup, but that's a reason to drop Lampard not Becks).
I also think we need to give Aaron Lennon a proper go on the right (where mcClaren's put Gerrard!!!)
Becks always offers something creatively, he doesn't deserve a starting place, but he deserves a place in the squad. Ommiting hm was just playing to the gallery (or an admittion that McClaren hasn't got the management nous to deal with having an ex-captain in the squad). Either way, it's bad decision taken for the wrong reasons.
"He was involved in most of our goals at the World Cup (and yes I know we were poor at the world Cup, but that's a reason to drop Lampard not Becks)."
heard that one so many times. Yes he was, and that's something to his credit, but how many more goals and goal scoring chances would we ahve had if he hadn't been on the field? Anyway, well never know.
"I also think we need to give Aaron Lennon a proper go on the right (where mcClaren's put Gerrard!!!)"
Agreed though gerrard looked good. Lennon, hmm now where did he learn his trade? Oh yes, the limitless pool of talent that Chelski are now allowed to raid at their whim, otherwise known as the Leeds Youth Academy...
By the way you're missing some good backlash against Sven (told you he was useless...)
Stu
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