brave

Woody · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject: brave

David Beckham's England career is hanging in the balance after new boss Steve McClaren told the Real Madrid midfielder he "wanted to go in a different direction" and was leaving him out of the squad for next week's friendly against Greece.

But McClaren, picking his first squad since succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson for Wednesday's clash with the reigning European champions at Old Trafford, is refusing to close the door on Beckham, who relinquised the captaincy after the World Cup.

The new England boss said of his decision: "I spoke with David last Monday and notified him of my decision and said I was planning for the future, to change things and go in a different direction, and that David wasn't included in that.

"I have great respect for David, he was a fantastic captain, a great player and still is. He took the news well. He was disappointed but I got the reaction I wanted. That was for him to continue to fight for a place. I will never close the door."

Beckham's fellow senior internationals David James and Sol Campbell have also been left out of McClaren's first squad as has Wayne Rooney, who will miss next month's opening two Euro 2008 Group E qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia.

And with Joe Cole and Michael Carrick sidelined by injury and Theo Walcott and Scott Carson sent on Under-21 duty, there is a call-up for Dean Ashton and recalls for Jermain Defoe, Phil Neville, Wes Brown, Chris Kirkland, Luke Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Kieran Richardson.

Darren Bent, who was named in the Under-21 squad, is also included in the 25-man squad along with Gary Neville, who is currently struggling with a groin injury, Michael Dawson and Ben Foster, who were both on World Cup stand-by, but there is no call-up for Newcastle's Scott Parker.

John Terry will lead out England for the first time as England captain and Beckham has wished his successor all the best.

The former Manchester United midfield star said: "Having spoken to Steve McClaren this week I can fully understand that a new manager should want to make his mark on the team and build towards the next World Cup.

"I'm proud have played for England for ten years and my passion for representing my country remains as strong as ever. I'd like to wish the best of luck to John Terry and will offer him my complete support in the future."

McClaren is certainly looking to the future and has clear aims as to what he wants to do achieve during his four-year reign, telling reporters: "I want to make this team successful, to qualify for a tournament and to do well.

"I want to produce an England team that wins matches and plays in a certain style. I want to build a team the fans can be proud of. They deserve a winning team."

He continued of the changes to the make up of the England squad: "In picking the squad I wanted evolution not revolution.

"I wanted to start building towards Euro 2008 by keeping many experienced players who I believe can contribute and I wanted to add some youngsters, players who have come through the system and players who performed at the World Cup.

"I will try to succeed in getting the right blend and balance in the team and I believe I have got a great set of players I believe will get success, starting now.

"It is not so much making a statement - this is what I am. This is the way I work. It is a new beginning. I am now the manager of England and this is how I want to do things."

With Beckham being left out of McClaren's first squad there is sure to be much speculation over whether the 31-year-midfielder will be given the chance to add to his tally of 94 caps - 59 as captain - and 17 goals.

The new England head coach is determined to make his own mark on the England squad and dispel doubts that his appointment is an extension of the Sven-Goran Eriksson regime.

But Eriksson's former right-hand man has denied claims that he has dropped Beckham just to make a statement.

McClaren told reporters: "I am not making a statement. It is what I believe in. David Beckham is a player I've admired. He's a tremendous player and captain and I've got a good relationship with him."

England were criticised for their lack of striking options in Germany this summer and McClaren has tried to address that by calling up Ashton and Defoe.

McClaren added: "It is a new beginning. What's gone is gone and is water under the bridge. We move on and football moves on.

"The nucleus of the squad is still there but I believe we have got great youngsters coming through and I want to give them a chance.

"Jermain Defoe I have always admired. He has got great potential and is now back scoring goals.

"Dean Ashton has come through the system and done very well. He is proving a success at West Ham and I believe he deserves a chance."

The England squad to face Greece reads as follows:

Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Liverpool), Foster (Man Utd); Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), A Cole (Arsenal), Dawson (Tottenham), Ferdinand (Man Utd), G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Everton), Terry (capt, Chelsea), Young (Charlton); Downing (Middlesbrough), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Richardson (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea); Ashton (West Ham), Bent (Charlton), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Tottenham).

Brave desision me tinks , but the right one , I think becks had a poor world cup and we do have to look to the future , time to moce on me tinks.

Bravo · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:37 pm Post subject:

Beckham is crap, one foot wonder.

Knows how to get the ball to the corner of the box from the half way line and thats about it. You watch him play, he will try that ball 20 times per game. Sometimes there happens to be a player on the end of it (pure luck), and the commentators start having orgasms and say what a great ball it was.

Most overrated player the world has ever seen.

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Woody · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

Peely · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject:

I'ma bit confused.

Is Ronoey banned from friendlies?

Why is no one pointing out that Crouch has been left out?

I like the look of a Ashton-Defoe front line.

I think we'll see Beckham in the squad again some time soon.

I also think I will like England under Stevie Mac. Normally I don't care too much.

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Woody · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject:

nar Ashton and crouch for me just wont or cant cut it at the highest level.

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Am I the only one who sees the irony of leaving Beckham out and calling up PHIL NEVILLE?

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or that 20% of the squad is from one club? (you guess which

)

Bravo · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:21 am Post subject:

Only thing that our new manager will be looking for in a player is tactical unawareness, cos any player that knows anything about tactics wont be able to play due to pissing theirselves laughing...

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Beckhams tactics

Woody · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:11 am Post subject:

Laffin , your are blody barmy

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Thats me.

Woody · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:13 am Post subject:

Yup , and the reason you are here.

Bravo · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:21 am Post subject:

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