Beckham

[crazy_jambo_2006]

OK, people hate him etc. But I have to admire the bloke. His passion to play for his country is still there. I am no England fan. But respect to the man for not retiring from England duty when others probably would have done so. I only wish he had never left United. Steve McLaren ditched him. I believe that he would not be in USA (yet) if McLaren hadn't made Beckham believe his England career was over.

[djf]

Treated like crap by the English press and fans. Was their most effective player by a mile at the 02 World Cup. Great player and seems like a very good guy as well who has done more than his fair share for charity.

[Red 23]

The first part of my name refers to one of his former teams. The second part is his squad number. No coincidence. Legend.

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

Chased the money in a lower standard of league and was dropped due to that.

 

What's the problem with that?

[Ivan Drago]

Biggest mistake Sven made was putting too much focus on Beckham and trying to build the team around him.

 

Biggest mistake Mclaren ever made was dropping him for no reason whatsoever, other than to show him whose boss, which of course backfired spectacularly.

 

In fact i'd argue that despite Beckhams abilities and performances for England, if anything he's actually hindered England as a team, due to the monster that 'Brand Beckham' became. Bit of a shame on the guy really.

[Ryan Gosling]

Chased the money in a lower standard of league and was dropped due to that.

 

What's the problem with that?

 

But he was dropped by McClaren while he was playing for Real Madrid.

 

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

But he was dropped by McClaren while he was playing for Real Madrid.

 

 

Hmmm seems that was the case.

 

Dunno why I thought different!

[Millfield_Mackem]

Great player, great bloke. His rat of a wife ruine him. All he wants to do is play football. He pulled us out of te sh*te on soo many occasions. I'm not one for sentiment in football but this bloke deserves his 100th cap. Let him bow out of the game in a bang.

[Red 23]

McLaren knew that stepping up from assistant, as oppose to coming in fresh, meant that he had to make an impression. He dropped Beckham to do this.

 

What he should have done was drop some of the other money grabbing swines who don't value playing for their country. Beckham is still easily good enough for England, and will be for at least the next 2 or 3 years

[Flux]

OK, people hate him etc. But I have to admire the bloke. His passion to play for his country is still there. I am no England fan. But respect to the man for not retiring from England duty when others probably would have done so. I only wish he had never left United. Steve McLaren ditched him. I believe that he would not be in USA (yet) if McLaren hadn't made Beckham believe his England career was over.

 

Unlike that loyal lad McSpeedy....

[Ivan Drago]

McLaren knew that stepping up from assistant, as oppose to coming in fresh, meant that he had to make an impression. He dropped Beckham to do this.

 

What he should have done was drop some of the other money grabbing swines who don't value playing for their country. Beckham is still easily good enough for England, and will be for at least the next 2 or 3 years

 

Not only that, but was actually the best, or at least most effective player at the WC, as djf pointed out.

 

Sadly though because of his celebrity status he took the flak when he was probably the one person who didnt deserve it.

[Millfield_Mackem]

He's nee David Bentley.

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

Let's try and refrain from slagging off Super Steve McLaren lads.

 

[Ryan Gosling]

Let's try and refrain from slagging off Super Steve McLaren lads.

 

 

 

[4marsbars]

I respect the way that he has a realistic view of his own strengths and weaknesses. He's not going to go into management and (I think) intends to go into youth development / coaching.

 

A great talent who I hope gets his 100th cap.

[Julio]

A vastly over rated player. More special teams than anything else.

[loveofthegame]

Nothing but respect for the man

[Beverley]

Biggest mistake Sven made was putting too much focus on Beckham and trying to build the team around him.

 

Biggest mistake Mclaren ever made was dropping him for no reason whatsoever, other than to show him whose boss, which of course backfired spectacularly.

 

In fact i'd argue that despite Beckhams abilities and performances for England, if anything he's actually hindered England as a team, due to the monster that 'Brand Beckham' became. Bit of a shame on the guy really.

 

have to say i agree wholeheartedly with this post.

 

he seems like a nice bloke, loves his football, and even made scottish player of the year due to his antics with the argentinians lol.

 

 

when someone becomes such a media figure, the focus is lost & in my opinion he was set up for a fall from day 1.

still a decent player and deserves his 100th cap

 

 

 

still, want to see him, and england fail at every turn though

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oh, and SHP that drawing still makes me laugh like a lunatic

[stirlo]

For someone that's not a great footballer and not the brightest he's done well for himself.

[Samster]

A vastly over rated player. More special teams than anything else.

 

[Julio]

 

Come on then Samster, enlighten me as to why hes such a great player then. No pace, can't tackle. All he can do is set piece plays. As I said a special teams player.

[Ryan Gosling]

Come on then Samster, enlighten me as to why hes such a great player then. No pace, can't tackle. All he can do is set piece plays. As I said a special teams player.

 

It's funny, I seem to remember him setting up Crouch on his last appearances through a counter attack with a chipped pass. And the ball was moving!

[jambo121]

Great Player

 

Great Ambassador

 

Wish he was Scottish.

 

Definitely deserves his 100th cap and probably more. Capello already found out too late that he was what was missing in his team at RM I don't see him letting him go off into the wilderness too easily.

[Samster]

Come on then Samster, enlighten me as to why hes such a great player then. No pace, can't tackle. All he can do is set piece plays. As I said a special teams player.

 

 

s.h.p sums it up nicely but a player like DB doesn't need a great amount of pace. Made up for by his great execution of a dead ball or right wing cross.

 

He was an absolutely integral part of a very successful Man U team where there are no passengers so no 'special teams' player there. You could possibly level that accusation at him at Real but in the end he proved Capello wrong for dropping him and came back to help him win the league.

[Julio]

s.h.p sums it up nicely but a player like DB doesn't need a great amount of pace. Made up for by his great exacution of a dead ball or right wing cross.

 

He was an absolutely integral part of a very successful Man U team where there area no passengers so no 'special teams' player there. You could possibly level that accusation at him at Real but in the end he proved Capello wrong for dropping him and came back to help him win the league.

 

Why is he playing in MLS then? He won one league with Real and Fergie was more than happy to cash in on him.

[Samster]

Why is he playing in MLS then? He won one league with Real and Fergie was more than happy to cash in on him.

 

To make some dough?!

[Ivan Drago]

Why is he playing in MLS then? He won one league with Real and Fergie was more than happy to cash in on him.

 

He was more than happy to cash in on Stam too, which was a terrible move by Fergie.

[Julio]

He was more than happy to cash in on Stam too, which was a terrible move by Fergie.

 

Stam maybe was a bad move. Beckham wasn't.

[Julio]

To make some dough?!

 

He offered little to the Man United team. Fergie saw this and punted him. Funny Giggs never got punted. Can you see Fergie moving Ronaldo on.

[Ryan Gosling]

It's ironic that it took Ferguson 4 years to win the title after getting rid of Beckham too.

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

He offered little to the Man United team. Fergie saw this and punted him. Funny Giggs never got punted. Can you see Fergie moving Ronaldo on.

 

If he kicks a boot in Ronaldos face then probably, aye!

[ivanhoe]

The mans marketing and publicity machine has been in overdrive for this 100th cap - Then he acts all surprised when he gets it.

 

The man is a walking circus and although he was a world class crosser and free kick taker he has never ever been a world class player.

 

Oh and he says " you know " all the time and its bloody annoying...you know.

[Ivan Drago]

He offered little to the Man United team. Fergie saw this and punted him. Funny Giggs never got punted. Can you see Fergie moving Ronaldo on.

 

lol. keep posting Julio, brightens up everyones day.

[ivanhoe]

and what did real madrid win in the 4 years he was there ? or England win with the golden generation ?

 

Its modern Britain and media hype. History is soon forgotten. Thats why people compare Ronaldo to Best and Beckham to Bobby Moore. Its pathetic.

[blondejamtart]

Please just let him have his 100th cap - and then maybe I won't have to listen to his silly, squeaky voice on the telly all the time!

[djf]

and what did real madrid win in the 4 years he was there ? or England win with the golden generation ?

 

Its modern Britain and media hype. History is soon forgotten. Thats why people compare Ronaldo to Best and Beckham to Bobby Moore. Its pathetic.

 

If anything people are too kind on older players. It's far harder to play the game at the highest level now than it was even 20 years ago.

[ivanhoe]

Lighter balls that fly all over the place..

Better boots and kit....

 

I favour the older players.

[The Doctor]

Beckham's right foot is nearly as good as Fulton's left.

 

Despite the hype, Beckham delivered, over and over again. He is simply one of the best crossers of a ball ever and as an iconic talisman (and don't be naive enough to not realise how important that is) he has been crucial to English football.

 

I like the guy, I see him as an honest player. I'd send my kids to his soccer schools.

[PsychocAndy]

A one trick pony but my god what a trick.

He has made some poor choices in his career but the biggest must be that wife of his.

I honestly think he gets hate by association.

The only time he wasn't in her glow of nonentity was when he was slipping the Pig Fondler one.

I would give him his 100th cap and on footballing ability I think he'll get more.

Good on you son hope your country gets horsed everytime they play

[rudi must stay]

OK, people hate him etc. But I have to admire the bloke. His passion to play for his country is still there. I am no England fan. But respect to the man for not retiring from England duty when others probably would have done so. I only wish he had never left United. Steve McLaren ditched him. I believe that he would not be in USA (yet) if McLaren hadn't made Beckham believe his England career was over.

 

his passion is still there but with the amount of money he's being paid so it should be.

[Buffalo Bill]

Never rated him as highly as his peers, Del Piero, Zidane, Scholes, Ronaldo, Shevchenko etc.

 

Beckham swung in the odd good free kick with that right foot of his but he never 'lit up' a tournament. In fact his performances at Euro 04 and Germany 06 were pitiful at times.

 

Could've been better (and perhaps better liked) if he hadn't gone all metro-sexual/love-me-I'm-a-nice-guy brand-Beckham on us.

 

Buffalo Bill

 

.

[Towzer]

Never rated him as highly as his peers, Del Piero, Zidane, Scholes, Ronaldo, Shevchenko etc.

 

Beckham swung in the odd good free kick with that right foot of his but he never 'lit up' a tournament. In fact his performances at Euro 04 and Germany 06 were pitiful at times.

 

Could've been better (and perhaps better liked) if he hadn't gone all metro-sexual/love-me-I'm-a-nice-guy brand-Beckham on us.

 

Buffalo Bill

 

.

 

blah blah

[Buffalo Bill]

blah blah

 

You shut yer hole.

 

Buffalo Bill

 

.

[bishop1874]

hero!

[Dr Ian Malcolm]

Beckham has always been a good players who's had a few great games. Terrific passer of the ball, chipped in with his fair share of goals (from open play as well as set peices) and you can't fault his work rate. Lacked pace and that bit of invention to beat players (which is why IMO he was better as a central midfielder) but got away with it because his other attributes were that good.

 

The problem he suffered that when he was playing poorly Eriksson was too scared to drop him. He's probably honest enough to admit there were times he played because of what he might do on the pitch rather than what he was doing. McCLaren then dropped him when he was argubaly play the best he had for several seasons, so it was a bit harsh.

 

I don't blame him for heading to America - he's said himself that he doesn't get a tenth of the hassle over there than he does in Europe. Beckham gets a pretty bad rap considering a lot of the baws he's had to put up with (although I;m sure the millions do help). He's living in one of the best cities on the world (Californian summers or Manchester ones?) and is playing at a level where he's still good enough to stroll through games. I think he;d benefit England by being in the sqaud even if he's not playing, and he seems to be the sort of guy who'd accept that if it meant having the chance of playing for his country, albeit sparingly.

 

Can you see the overrated and undercriticised prima-donnas like Ashley Cole, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand doing that? They'd retire from international footy on the spot.

[shaun.lawson]

Beckham? A very good, though to my mind never great player, who I have the utmost respect for thanks to his capacity to maximise his capabilities to the absolute degree. He was never a dribbler, and never had the creativity of, say, Zidane or Scholes - but sheer hard work and focus turned him into an iconic figure in the English game.

 

Unfortunately, because we live in an age in which top level sport is hyped as never before, he ended up damned by the press and public for what he couldn't do, rather than the huge amount he did achieve - but even though he courted the attention so much, it's hardly his fault if expectation was always ahead of reality. In this, he bears resemblances with Tim Henman: another overachiever condemned by an ignorant public for underachieving when actually, he never had the weapons or God-given build necessary to win a Grand Slam.

 

The way in which Beckham bounced back from the disgusting, embarrassing reaction to his sending off in St Etienne was magnificent; and his display in that famous game against Greece was astonishing - he literally dragged his country to the result it needed. But after doing his metatarsal later that season, I often felt that, even allowing for occasional phases of excellence (eg. his final few months in Madrid last year) he was never quite the same player again. Meanwhile, England, idiotically, became more and more reliant on him.

 

Believe it or not, even when he was playing terrifically well in 2001, I wanted Beckham dropped from the England team, because direct 4-4-2 featuring long, high balls knocked in from the wing will never get a side that far in international football. But Sven, having committed to Beckham by confirming Peter Taylor's decision to make him captain, never seemed to grasp the limiting effect he had on the side. Risibly, he even ended up selected in that absurd 'quarterback' role before the debacle in Belfast: by this stage, sadly, Beckham seemed to have become bigger than the team. But that was the manager's fault, not his - and I don't doubt one bit that whenever he played for his country, he always gave his absolute maximum.

 

'Special teamer'? In more recent years, at times, yes - but actually, isn't it a tribute to him that he's been able to achieve so much despite such limitations? Personally, I hope he gets his 100th cap, receives the acclaim such an accomplishment deserves, and Capello then quietly pensions him off: I'd argue that Beckham made his own decision on his top level future by moving to MLS, and what I've wanted for years and years now is for England to concentrate on keeping the ball, and deploy wingers of pace and flair who'll get in behind defences, rather than just knock another high ball in from the wing.

[Denny Crane]

Quite frankly the most overrated player of modern times.

 

A very good crosser of the ball and (from a certain distance/angle) a good free-kick specialist.

 

But there have been players for England who are more worthy of legendary status (Keegan, Beardsley, Hoddle, Gascoigne to name but four players in my lifetime) than right-sided midfielder who shirks the tackle (one famous cop-out led to Rivaldo's equaliser in the 2002 World Cup).

 

In my opinion, he's not had a decent game for England since Greece in 2001. Too often has he been posted missing yet was still indulged by Eriksson who lacked the conviction to drop him when on many an occasion, it was merited. In the major tournaments he has played in for England, his lows outnumber any highs - anonymous in most of his matches which he would occasionally marr by a stupid sending off or a penalty that is still orbiting Jupiter. A penalty against Argentina or free-kicks against Colombia or Ecuador don't really go far enough to secure legardary status for me.

 

Dragging your nation to trophy success or even on the brink of it (using both genius and guts) is minimal qualification in my book. Maradona, Platini, Baggio, Zidane, Cruyff are four such examples. Sure they all had their bad boy moments but their deeds compared to Beckham would be like comparing Mohammad Ali to Richard Dunn.

[vegas-voss]

He still looked liked Englands best player against Croatia and nearly pulled it out the bag for them when he came on against them only for McClaren to bottle it and have England sit deep instead of going for it when they had Croatia on the ropes.

[Coco]

England's biggest football mistake of modern times ... building the side around Beckham rather than building it around Scholes.

[vegas-voss]

England's biggest football mistake of modern times ... building the side around Beckham rather than building it around Scholes.

 

Just made a thread on Scholes the guy is different class.Beckham is a good RM Scholes is a class CM.But i still think in his last two internatinals Beckham has looked England's best player.