Beckham left out of England squad - squad announced

Psycho Ned · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:07

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7218296.stm

Looks like 99 and out for Becks, part of me thinks he should have been given it in a meaningless game like this and it wouldn't have cost us anything. But maybe Fabio wants to set his stall out from game 1.

Nazca · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:07

Becks not in England Squad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7218296.stm

Shame. Seems that maybe Capello is still a little bitter about Beckham signing for LA.

Would have liked to see him get his 100th. Bet he's gutted.

Eddie · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:08

I was hoping he'd get his 100th cap, I think he deserves it imo, bit of a shame really.

weringo · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:09

Not bothered personally, 100 is just a number.

I'm just looking forward to seeing how we play under Capello.

Nazca · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:09

Bah, what are the chances of us posting at the same time.

jackthezipper · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:11

I'm sure he'll be given it at another date. He's not going to put him in just to please other people, especially in his first game.

jakeke · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:14

Fair play to the manager, he knows best.

NokkonWud · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:17

I understand why. Capello isn't seeing names, but English players (or at least that's what I hope), so he can't play if he's not been playing.

Eddie · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:28

NokkonWud said:
I understand why. Capello isn't seeing names, but English players (or at least that's what I hope), so he can't play if he's not been playing.

I hope that turns out to be true; picking players on ability rather than name.

If it is true I expect a few 'regulars' to be omitted.

Anyway, the full squad isn't announced until Saturday at 1900, how come the news on Beckham has been released so soon?

BFCTom · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:54

For a friendly I think it's a bit tight for him not be at least come on as sub.

If it was a competative came I can see the thinking behind it but not really for a friendly.

wolvers · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:14

I have to say, I'm a little disapointed. I think he's quality and has proved it time and time again. When McLaren brought him back it made a big difference to England's performances.

I'm also a little surprised as he's already proved Capello wrong at Madrid.

Still, I can see why the manager would be concerned about his match fitness.

I'm pretty confident he will get more caps anyways cos he's still one of the best English players. Maybe this will prompt him to come back and play in Europe for a proper team.

Majago · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:18

BFCTom said:
For a friendly I think it's a bit tight for him not be at least come on as sub.

If it was a competative came I can see the thinking behind it but not really for a friendly.

This is my feeling too. Even if Capello doesn't see him as part of his plans long-term it would have been a nice gesture to give him the last 20 mins of a meaningess friendly.

CliffyG · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:22

shoot1st said:
Anyway, the full squad isn't announced until Saturday at 1900, how come the news on Beckham has been released so soon?

There have been a lot of rumours about his Squad so far and i fail to see how any of it has any basis at the mo. Will see what happens on Saturday.

wolvers · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:31

Majago said:
This is my feeling too. Even if Capello doesn't see him as part of his plans long-term it would have been a nice gesture to give him the last 20 mins of a meaningess friendly.

I doubt that Capello will see it as a meaningless game!

Gilly · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:31

It isn't just his 100th game that he should be in for, it is his experience. He has been captain, he has played for the biggest team in the world as well after one of the biggest in England. He has captained his side at a major tournament in the past... why not have him in your squad?

Beggars belief.

Raymond Lin · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:37

I can see why he isn't in the squad, Capello don't appear to give a flying monkeys about the 100th cap, he's doing what's best for the team and not going to play a player to reward him because he's played 99 times or captained the side before or whatever.

Performance = Inclusion.

mmj_uk · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:38

The thing is though each and every international cap is supposed to be earned through domestic performance (I know it's not always been the case).

Beckham chose to go to Micky Mouse FC effectively ruling himself out of being taken seriously for England, he shouldn't be handed any "freebie" caps just to make his biography look better.

I'd like to see him reach his century but he should have to earn his 100th cap not be given it on a plate at the expense of a possible future England star.

mmj_uk · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:44

shoot1st said:
Anyway, the full squad isn't announced until Saturday at 1900, how come the news on Beckham has been released so soon?

Isn't it 3:30pm this afternoon? :confused:

Eddie · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:00

mmj_uk said:
Isn't it 3:30pm this afternoon?

Yes sorry you're right, from the BBC website is says

'The Italian will name his provisional party at 1530 GMT on Thursday, with the final squad announced on Saturday.'

So yeah I suppose he'll pick a final squad from the provisional, but I don't understand how the Beckham story has come out prior to the provisional squad being announced.

Ripper · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:30

Why bother announcing a provisional squad then two days later announcing the final squad? :confused:

I understand why Beckham isn't in it though, it doesn't give players much hope if people who aren't even playing get picked ahead of them. He'll get to 100 eventually.