It is said about Sir Alex Ferguson that he has built a career out of proving people wrong. They doubted him before he won the first Premiership title with Manchester United. They doubted him when he won that famous title by ‘playing kids’. The 99 treble, The triple champions, the 2003 comeback and the 2007 title – time and time again SAF proved his critics wrong.
The same can very well be said of Sir David Beckham.
He was sent out on loan early in his career, not seen fit to play for United while Scholes, Giggs and Gary Neville cemented their places in the starting XI. But Beckham came back stronger, won his position on the right and made it his own. The 98 world cup, the 2001 world cup qualifying campaign, the 2003 / 2004 seasons, when SAF threw him out and Beckham turned in two of the best seasons of his career (his last for Manchester United and then his first for Real Madrid), the 2006 World Cup (where Beckham had a direct hand in each of England’s 3 wins), the Real Madrid fiasco where Beckham fought and won his place back in the squad, and now his England recall.
I admit – even I had given up on Beckham returning to the England setup, although most of that can be attributed to Steve McClaren’s managerial skills rather than any problems with David Beckham himself. However, the man is back and is there to help England win in Estonia and keep their Euro 2008 qualifying chances alive.
A lot has been said about David Beckham’s form in recent weeks – it’s good to hear that he has overcome the problems that he was facing earlier this season, but to be honest Becks is a player who consistently delivers on the big stage, as long as the manager knows how to use him.
David Beckham is a match-winner – he’s proved that many teams over his international and club career – and England are in dire need of match-winners. With an unfit Owen and no Rooney, England will rely on Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and if he is picked, David Beckham.
This combination took them to the World Cup quarter-finals, and with a fit Rooney / Owen could have taken them farther.
Surely this combination can help England qualify for Euro 2008 then?
Football is cruel, so I don’t expect Becks to go to Euro 2008, or even get many starts once Lennon recovers.
England’s Future
Steve McClaren recently said that a) Becks would have been picked earlier if he’d been fit, b) that Gerrard was more suited to a central role and c) England needed Beckham now, and that’s all that mattered.
It’s all good that McClaren has ‘seen the light’, but if you wanted to pick Beckham, why not say it earlier when England were being murdered in the press? Pressure on the players? You’ve got Steven Gerrard playing on the right, and he’s a big enough boy to stand up to any such comments – not only that, he could probably use the kick up the arse to push on and win games.
Why has it taken McClaren so long to see that Gerrard is more suited to a central role?
And the mere fact that Beckham was needed since March is proof that McClaren got it wrong after the World Cup – he got it wrong because the players he banked on to get the job done couldn’t get it done.
Steve McClaren has made several mistakes in his short England career – putting them right only takes us back to the days of Sven Goran Eriksson. To win the fans, McClaren can’t just pick match-winners, or the best XI – he has to pick the best team, and that means making some tough calls.
Beckham has so many critics simply because he is such a great person. He was not born rich – he worked for it. Would anyone in Becks shoes done differently? Probably yes, they wuld have mucked up their life like so many other great players have done but Becks is a model Pro, Model father and Model husband. I would love my kids to follow Davids examples and use him as a role model – he never misses training – never boozes unnessessarily and just for the buzz, never takes drugs, gives 100% to everything he does – fights back against all odds – how many of you critics out there can even say they are worthy of tying up Daves laces . Jealosy is a horrible virtue and you will notice that critics are simply jelous cos Dave has it all. Davids great charisma, looks and personailiy and charater have made him what he is a great person – but it also made him many guys worst nightmare and so his critics were born.
What a turnaround for Beckham, firstly hardcore Capello made a u-turn, then McClaren recalled him, now Real Madrid on the brink of La Liga title. Can’t wait to see him score the winning goal against Estonia.
Good to see Mclaren having the balls to recall Beckham. Maybe he should use those very same balls and drop Lampard/Gerrard cos they cant play in midfield together. Isnt it time to give Carrick/Hargreaves/Parker or any other HOLDING midfielder a chance instead of a combo that does not work.
Agree with your comments Jonathan but:
a) Model fathers & husbands don’t have well publicised affairs.
b) Jealousy isn’t a virtue, it’s a vice or sin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue
spot on otherwise…although I can’t shake the feeling that McClaren is just bowing to media pressure. It won’t matter when Becks hammers in one of his screamers though 🙂
Totally agree with you JustinCapeTown. Fair play to McClaren for recalling Becks. He really deserves it the way he’s been playing lately, and the way he’s resurrected his career.
Now is the time to make your next big decision Stevie Mac. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard do not play well together. Ask any real football fan and they’ll tell you unanimously that Gerrard is hands down the better player. Bring in a holding player, Carrick for the time being, but probably Hargreaves in the long run, and that’s the team all of England want.
Is it just me, or does the rest of the team pick itself?
Robinson
G.Neville Terry Ferdinand A.Cole
Beckham Gerrard Hargreaves J.Cole
Rooney Owen
Ahmed,
problem is once again we have the midfield quartet of Cole, Lampard, Gerrard and Beckham. Jesus Christ! Now that’s a refreshing change post-Sven, isn’t it? 🙂
I want Lamps out for Hargreaves, although I wonder when Gerrard would actually bring his Pool form for England.
Lamps out for Carrick – Hargreaves is injured.
Gerrard would bring that form when he’s captain. Terry can’t bring his Chelsea form because the manager isn’t the motivational sort.
Yea well – it’s funny how it took McClaren just under an year to realise that at least the Sven way won matches?
Here’s a link someone sent in at the newcastle blog, an interesting read.
Red Ranter:
Sorry but I couldn’t resist…..
A midfield quartet of Joe Cole, Frank Lampard Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Jesus Christ wouldn’t be a quartet now would it. ;).
but to be honest Becks is a player who consistently delivers on the big stage, as long as the manager knows how to use him.
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laughing my arse off at that.That has to be the most hilarious sentence ive ever seen written on football you total wally.Beckham has always,ALWAYS been found out on the biggest stage,across 5 tournaments and never more so in those 3 big era defining quarter-finals where he went missing without leave.Never in footballing history has one player been so overhyped for such a limited ability,its only the clueless new-age “fans” like this author who actually bought it,no one with any real depth of knowledge on our sport ever did.Please explain to me sir just which match v a first world nation “becks” “delivered” on you total cretin!Was it brazil in 2002?Was it france and portugal in 2004?Was it portugal again in 2006?Was it argentina in 98?Youre a joke.
Beckham is one of the most greatest player all over the world . He is a big star about life , about something we called “never give up” , he is the one . He is the only Knight in our heart