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Huzzah for Evolution? Beckham Gets Dropped.
This morning's press conference revealed McClaren's attempt to shape a lineup that displays a verve so lacking in Eriksson's England, so it seems almost fitting that the first head to roll would be that of David Beckham - the sacred cow of the Sven-Goran Eriksson Error. David Beckham used to be a mesmerizing dead-ball talent with a right foot widely regarded as an English national treasure. Though he has always been useless in defense and wholly lacking in the quickness required for short passing in close quarters, it is with the whip and menace of his right foot that England has had so many opportunities for glory. This was all well and good when he was in his prime, as we could forgive his one-dimensional style in exchange for him making a little magic.. the draw against Greece where his stunning last-minute free-kick sent England to the 2002 World Cup was one of the most thrilling sporting moments of my life and only David Beckham could have delivered it... avenging the misery of '98 with a penalty kick blasted home on the stroke of half-time; thrashing Germany 5-1 to make up for the crushing defeat at Wembley; the brilliant free-kick that salvaged an abject performance against Ecuador in Germany.
I'll never forget that moment for as long as I live. When the ball sailed past the goal and into oblivion, I was so shocked that I couldn't react. I wasn't angry. I wasn't sad. I wasn't even confused. I was just there, standing firm in spectacular amazement. It was like my brain had put itself on pause to avoid meltdown. A few moments passed before I said anything at all but when I did, I turned to my cousin Shiloh and said, "But..." He replied, "Fuck?" Unable to articulate ourselves, we stared at each other in disbelief before turning back and simultaneously shouting, "YOU FUCKING CUNT!!!" Shiloh added wishes that Beckham would die but my brain shut back down after cunt, so I had nothing else to add. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur; the abject hatred and anger for Beckham and that moment set in the following morning. It hasn't subsided. Beckham Penalty Kick... - video powered by Metacafe Though Beckham has not announced his retirement from international football, the door is rapidly closing on his career with the Three Lions. Just 6 caps short of a century, Beckham expressed his desire to remain on the English squad when stepping down as captain last month - an honor that he held for 58 outings (he ranks 4th behind Billy Wright and Bobby Moore at 90 and Bryan Robson at 65). When told of McClaren's decision to leave him off next week's roster, he was disappointed but vowed to do everything in his power to prove that he was worthy of a place... "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 to have played for England for 10 years and my passion for representing my country remains as strong as ever." Whether Becks is determined to fight for a roster spot or is merely offering token statements remains to be seen.. the story changes with each media outlet. Watching David Beckham over the years has been as joyful as it has been maddening (actually, it's 90/10* in favor of maddening) but one thing is clear - he still passes, crosses, and takes free kicks with extraordinary brilliance and can win games at a stroke. Though he is no longer useful for a full 90 minutes in international play, the boost he can provide in a limited role will likely be ignored. McClaren told the former skipper that he "will never close the door," but it's likely that the statement was a simple courtesy for 10 years of duty. I'd say so long and thanks for some of the memories but despite all the lip service McClaren is paying to evolution, the youth movement, and the future, I suspect we haven't seen the last of Becks in an England shirt. *Edit!* I initially said 60/40 because I was out of it and suffering the remaining traces of being under the influence. I'm fine now and I want David Beckham to fuck off and die.  Posted at August 11, 2006 12:44 PM Permalink • Filed under: Football (Soccer) |
The memories of these great moments will be with me forever but they'll always be tainted by Becks-induced disappointment and heartache. And when I think Beckham, I don't think Greece 2002. I think Portugal at Euro 2004.
Comments (11): Huzzah for Evolution? Beckham Gets Dropped.
Shiloh
August 11, 2006 1:50 PM
I love the way McClaren is shaking things up right now but you're right-we will see Beckham again. Dropping that twat for a friendly when he's hardly match fit anyway is not nearly enough. When Suckham doesn't make the squad for Euro '08, only then will I rest easy. If he'd had the discussion that the fuck was no longer welcome a week ago as has been reported, why didn't he bow out on his own with some dignity?? McClaren must have left the door open. I can't believe cuntface would allow himself to be embarrassed like this when he had the smarts to step down as captain just weeks ago.
And Cousin, I still wish that cunt would die! That miss is in my top 3 most devastating sporting moments of all time.
van Cutsem
August 11, 2006 9:55 PM
Yes. We mustn't get too excited just yet, as this is just the lineup for a friendly but it's an uplifting sign.
zoogs
August 11, 2006 11:18 PM
You're next Owen!
Gavin Norris
August 12, 2006 1:53 AM
Permanently leaving him off the squad for good would be foolish but McClaren had to send the sign that he was building for the future and I support him for it. Too many people are overreacting, as if the roster for a friendly marks the very end. We'll never see Becks suit up for another World Cup (and thank God for that) but you're right, we'll certainly see him in English colours off and on until he hits the century mark.
Coren Lupen
August 12, 2006 3:02 AM
No way mates. Becks is done for good. The only way he's playing for England again is if he finds a time machine. Bravo to McClaren.
Zoogs
August 12, 2006 7:18 AM
Becks being done for with the Three Lions is yet to be determined, as G. Norris pointed out, it's only a friendly. But what McClaren signaled was the end of the "automatic selections, regardless of their form" era under Sven.
Toxic
August 12, 2006 9:36 AM
"actually, it's 60/40 in favor of maddening"
Only 60/40 my god are you mellowing with age my dear girl ;¬)
Flash
August 12, 2006 12:59 PM
Christ I've gotta learn how to proofread. 60/40 is how I felt about him in the early morning when I first heard the news that he was toast. By the end of the day - and after a number of stupid people had tried to laugh "with me" over the Portugal blunder, my feelings were back to their regular 90/10. Fear not, I haven't mellowed! It was merely early morning exhaustion and lack of sobriety that are at fault for that horrifying ratio!
Britton Jagger
August 12, 2006 2:39 PM
Beckham was never as good as we were lead to believe nor is he as bad as we're being told he is now. Our expectations for him were just too bloody high. He was good, yes, but he wasn't Saviour of England good and when he didn't come through for us in that role, we immediately hated him. Having said that, Portugal 2002 trumps all and even if he was as good as advertised, I'd still have to hate him :)
John
August 12, 2006 5:59 PM
This move was fucking insane. McCLaren is just trying to shock the masses and appease the media.
Parker
August 13, 2006 3:05 AM
Media be damned. Making a clean break in the very beginning was the best way to get rid of beckham. McClaren pretended to leave the door open but his speech said the exact opposite. The only time we'll see that fucking cunt in an England shirt from now on is when he haunts us in our bloody memories.