I'm not surprised at this decision - Fabio will want to show that he is making changes (long overdue).

Some will say he should have got a cap (just so he can reach 100 caps) - but hasn't that been the problem with the England team for many years? That too many players have been included because they ONCE were good (often many years ago)?

This "old boys network" (play whether you are fit or not / broken foot or not) is precisely the reason England haven't won ANYTHING for nigh on 50 years !

Mind that's what the wally in the brolly did when he first started, and soon recalled him when we needed him.

I feel he should of got his 100th cap, as the FA have built this friendly game on the pretence of this occuring. So I wonder now, how many fans will bother to show up for this pointless game.

I suspect Capello will say he is not match-fit, and not to read to much into it. Interesting to see if he plays when the Soccer Season opens.

I think you're right Mike. I will be interesting to see if Don Capello picks him once he's playing week in, week out...

I think the new manager is a fairly pragmatic guy, and whilst he probably owes his 2nd La Liga title with Madrid at least in some part to Becks, he doesn't want to set any precedents in terms of selecting players on repututation alone.

I'm willing to bet that he'll get his 100th cap. Just not until he's match fit!

A good manager builds his squad around players who have demonstrated good form and high levels of fitness during the current season. Beckham has spent most of this season opening functions and going to Spice Girls gigs, and hardly any time on football. To pick him ahead of those who have put in an effort, just so that he could get his 100th cap, would be grossly unjust and send out all the wrong signals.

Beckham has had his chances, and he's mostly failed to live up to his hype. Time for him to move over and make way for players more deserving of a place in the national squad.

This was the right decision. I sincerely hope that the new manager is more forward thinking than his predecessors. Clueless McClaren did recall Beckham, but apart from a couple of average passes his contribution was minimal. It wasn't Beckham we needed, it was an entire new squad and a decent manager.

I'd rather we had an English manager, but now that Capello is here I hope he doesn't disappoint.

I think Beckham should definitely have been included in the squad.
It's only a friendly after all, even if he came on for ten minutes at the end to gain his 100th cap.
Seems like a very spiteful decision to me to leave him out.

Carl wrote:
I think Beckham should definitely have been included in the squad.
It's only a friendly after all, even if he came on for ten minutes at the end to gain his 100th cap.
Seems like a very spiteful decision to me to leave him out.

What a complete and utter waste of time !

Friendlies should be used to try new formations / new tactics / new players etc - not feed the ego of some has-been !

Al wrote:
A good manager builds his squad around players who have demonstrated good form and high levels of fitness during the current season. Beckham has spent most of this season opening functions and going to Spice Girls gigs, and hardly any time on football. To pick him ahead of those who have put in an effort, just so that he could get his 100th cap, would be grossly unjust and send out all the wrong signals.

Beckham has had his chances, and he's mostly failed to live up to his hype. Time for him to move over and make way for players more deserving of a place in the national squad.

This was the right decision. I sincerely hope that the new manager is more forward thinking than his predecessors. Clueless McClaren did recall Beckham, but apart from a couple of average passes his contribution was minimal. It wasn't Beckham we needed, it was an entire new squad and a decent manager.

I'd rather we had an English manager, but now that Capello is here I hope he doesn't disappoint.

Well said ! (and while Beckham is going he can take Owen with him, Scoring a decent goal back in 1998 does NOT mean he should have a permanent place !)

As it happens I still think Beckham can play for England for at least another 18 months which means he could play a vital role in our World Cup qualifying campaign.
As for Owen, when fully fit he is still a world class striker who can score goals out of nothing (Something we have been lacking during his spell on the sidelines).
I'm all for the new manager trying out different tactics, formations etc but you still have to have the right blend of youth and experience in your team.

Carl wrote:
As it happens I still think Beckham can play for England for at least another 18 months which means he could play a vital role in our World Cup qualifying campaign.
As for Owen, when fully fit he is still a world class striker who can score goals out of nothing (Something we have been lacking during his spell on the sidelines).
I'm all for the new manager trying out different tactics, formations etc but you still have to have the right blend of youth and experience in your team.

Owen? Don't make me laugh ! He went to Spain (where they found him useless) and then came back here for twice the fee ! He's been permanently injured every since. In the last WC he lasted 10 minutes, didn't he? With that kind of team it will be another 50 years (at least) before they ever win anything !!!

My England strike force would be Dave Kitson and Andy Johnson, with Defoe and Walcott on the bench.

Owen hasn't properly recovered from a string of injuries and rarely scores.

Rooney scored one goal in three years for England and has missed some serious sitters for Man Utd this season, plus he lacks self discipline.

Heskey??? Did he ever do anything for England except fall over?

Crouch can score and has height advantage, and might be my fifth choice.

I'm glad Chris Kirkland is in the squad. Quite surprised that Calamity James is though.

Al wrote:
My England strike force would be Dave Kitson and Andy Johnson, with Defoe and Walcott on the bench.

Owen hasn't properly recovered from a string of injuries and rarely scores.

Rooney scored one goal in three years for England and has missed some serious sitters for Man Utd this season, plus he lacks self discipline.

Heskey??? Did he ever do anything for England except fall over?

My point exactly ! Pick players who are CURRENTLY on form - not include people who scored a good goal maybe ten years ago (if we did that we'd still have Bobby Charlton in the team).

People like Rooner and Owen believe they are fixtures - but there are many English players in the Premier who are currently on form - and more likely to deliver.

I'm a bit split here - a friendly should be entertaining and a good place to test out new players or formulas so I think I would include Becks, Rooney, Owen as well as some newbies (I really liked that speedy winger - Aaron someone - from the last World Cup).

Mind you, as Manuel used to say...


I KNOW NOTHING.

Aaran Lennon. He came on to replace Beckham and made a real difference to our performances - for the better.

He's a good young player.