The Beckham issue...

It's amazing how some people on here seem to 'know' that Beckham had 'demanded' he be played in central midfield and that the only reason we play 4-5-1 is to accomodate him.

I don't particularly like Beckham, but he was without doubt our best player by a country mile tonight, not that that says very much. If we were to play 4-4-2, it should be Gerrard who's dropped on tonight's performance, he was utterly useless, and Lampard wasn't much better. These two constantly underperform for England, whereas Beckham always gets stuck in and tries his best to drive the team forward. Unfortunately he can't do it on his own!

If Beckham's so 'crap', why does he still get picked regularly for Real Madrid?

PS, I'm often the first to point out his weaknesses, of which he certainly has a few, BUT slagging him off after this game is quite unbelievable.

PPS, Those who say Wright-Phillips played well... I thought he was appalling. Yes he's quick and can outpace some people... But so can Darren Campbell and Marlon Devonish... tonight his ball control was awful, his passing was awful, he kept over-running the ball and getting tackled, and was rightly subbed.

Some folk need to take their blinkers off.

 

spot on

 

Spot on about Beckham, a little unkind about Wright Phillips' particularly his control. He had a decent first half, but the supply line was cut to him in the second. 

 

Best player by a mile yesterday. Not much to live up to, mind.

That said, the 'world class, wide range of passing' the commentators and pundits kept referring to seemed to me to be that sweeping cross-field ball to Wright-Phillips and nothing else. No wonder Owen and Ronney couldn't get into the game.

 

Totally agree with you on the Beckham issue...

I think you were a bit harsh on Wright-Phillips, who at least tried to go past players, but hey, opinions and all that.

 

It's quite typically led by the press and people follow. Granted the press have been kind to beckham this morning and rightly so, but this has been going on since the last world cup.

Beckham should have been dropped in Greece and by his own admission he didn't play particularly well. Sadly people are still on that bandwagon and because Beckhams off field fame and popularity gets under peoples skin, they watch his performances with a ridiculously demanding and critical eye. I seriously think that those that think he's 'passed it' really no little about football.

The last few matches have been a disaster, but you have to look at the overall team performance, the tactics and the managers ability to react and change things. Beckham did the job he was told to do. Not many other players on the pitch can say they did the same. To blame Beckham for the failings of Lampard and Gerrard is pathetic. To blame Beckham for the system that may or may not have affected Lampard and Gerrards natural abilities is short sighted. Personally, I think had we played 4-4-2 with Beckham on the right, Gerrard and Lampard would have been equally as **** as they have been in the last 2 games. Granted they haven't had as much space, time etc etc as they'd like, but what exactly did they do with the ball when they were given it. Not much. What did Beckham do when he got the ball? Pretty much everything you'd expect from a player in the holding role, but with more flair then your Inces, Batty's, Keanes etc.

He shouldn't be playing there, he's not strong enough in the tackle to protect the defence and his natural attacking, crossing abilities are stifled. But to say he's crap is poor judgement.

Don't get me started on Rio Ferdinand.....

I do take Sheff Tyke's opinion on football as seriously as I take his opinion on music though..

 

He was spot on about Owen Hargreaves that's for sure.

 

Terry and Carragher should be our Centre-Half combo,

Rio's perceived footballing skills do not mask his woeful defensive inefficencies.

 

Yes... Genius

 

Hargreaves whilst poor , did do the only forward run made

by a midfielder in the 2nd half.

 

To be fair to Rio

He had a good view of Ireland's goal and he looked well impressed.

 

RE: Hargreaves whilst poor , did do the only forward run made

Were those the ones towards our goal?

 

RE: To be fair to Rio

ff ff ff

 

No he ran with the ball , played a 1-2 with Ashley Cole

down the left and just failed to make full contact with the return.

Rest of time he was on the pitch he was tosh.(blaze)

 

There were a zillion things wrong with England last night.

Defensive 4-5-1, nowt wrong if it turns to 4-3-3 when we've got the ball. Pity it didn't.

Owen up front on his own.

Taking Wright Phillips off.

I could go on. Only good thing about last night was Ian Wright.

 

Beckhams long ball passing was very good last night, but in doing so, he missed the entire midfield leaving Gerrard and Lampard chasing for scraps.

He's in a position that makes him look good, but what damage can he do from those deep areas.

Whoevers idea it was to play Beckham in that position is tactically naiive. He can't tackle a fish supper, and he needs to in that holding role he played the last two games.

Bluntly, it's a position that makes him look brilliant but the rest of the team rubbish.

 

Don't mate.

You'll only make a fool of yourself. We don't want a repeat of the 'Geoff Hoddle' incident.

 

He didnt need to tackle in either game ,

as Wales and N. Ireland barely mustered an attack between them.

You dont need a holding midfielder against teams that set out not to lose.

 

I think Wrighty was itching to let go a few expletives.

ff

 

what damage can he do from those deep areas.

er what about the 3 inch perfect passes to Wright Phillips?

Beckham was ok last night, Gerrard and Lamps were woeful.