Well done McClaren.....

[king billy]

1st job - made Terry captain - right choice!!...tup:

Now its rumoured he isn't going to pick Beckham again - unless there is an injury crisis AND its rumoured he's gonna pick Ashton for the friendly and see's him as the perfect foil for Rooney, which i agree with, you need a target man and Owen aint it.....

Whilst we obviously need to see how the team plays - he's making the right decisions and noises IMO....tup:

[baldbantam]

If he replaces Beckham it's a brave decision, and I think the wrong one. Beckham is worth his place for the dead ball skills, the running and the crosses he provides.

[Black Magic]

Lennon is the future on the right side of midfield, Steven Gerrard is more than capable of taking the freekicks and set plays.

Beckham should still be involved in someway but he isn't the player he once was.

[king billy]

Beckhams shite now and about 2 seasons past it.....not only that, he's let the country down big time IMO by selfishly playing injured in the last two tournaments, all to feed his ego of wanting to be captain at all costs....

He's had his time - time to move on now, cheers and all that....

Lennon is a more exciting, more than capable replacement, i'd even have Wright Phillips in the team ahead of him.....then there's Pennant - there's a number of folk who could walk into that position and do a better job than Becks....

[king billy]

Actually is Pennant English?

Cause he is well worth a shout - now he is a red!!tup:

He's got shitloads of caps for the U21's and U19's mate - so i'd say yeah....;)

[Blue Monday]

I have watched Ashton with keen interest, after watching him as 17year old a few years ago, i think it was in the cup away.
I came home and mentioned to my dad (who is a gooner) that i have seen a future England international in Ashton and Wenger should snap him up.
From crewe to norwich then WHU I always say to my dad, Future England player which he always dismisses
I cannot wait for the day he pulls his England shirt on. He is a quality old fashion centre forward, in a similar roll to Les Ferdinand.
Just what england needjump:

[king billy]

I have watched Ashton with keen interest, after watching him as 17year old a few years ago, i think it was in the cup away.
I came home and mentioned to my dad (who is a gooner) that i have seen a future England international in Ashton and Wenger should snap him up.
From crewe to norwich then WHU I always say to my dad, Future England player which he always dismisses
I cannot wait for the day he pulls his England shirt on. He is a quality old fashion centre forward, in a similar roll to Les Ferdinand.
Just what england needjump:

Nearest thing weve got nowadays to Shearer an'all mate.....and just what the England team needs for Rooney to play alongside....tup: tup: tup:

[B_i_N]

I agree I think Beckham is past it, his image and roadshow is too much of a distraction for the good of the English team. I agree he can knock those dead balls and important crosses, but I think England need to develop an up and coming team player and are better off without the former captain. I still suspect he will be picked again in the future if the need arises. I would like to see him get 100 caps, but if not, I don't think it will be a great loss to England.

[king billy]

There's players in the England set up who are just as good as Beckham in the dead ball department - as mentioned Gerrard for one - Rooney can take a mean free kick too just outside the 18 yard box, as can Lampard, Hargreaves with the corners etc etc.....i don't even think his dead ball taking will be missed myself....

[Wicker Man]

There's players in the England set up who are just as good as Beckham in the dead ball department - as mentioned Gerrard for one - Rooney can take a mean free kick too just outside the 18 yard box, as can Lampard, Hargreaves with the corners etc etc.....i don't even think his dead ball taking will be missed myself....

Exactley - How many free kicks/corners from becks in the world cup were crap and hit the first man - More than didn't

Good decision by McClaren to drop him, and take Ashton - Should of happerned before the WC though

Now all he needs to do is DROP CROUCHtup:

[Devil's Advocate]

1st job - made Terry captain - right choice!!...tup:

Now its rumoured he isn't going to pick Beckham again - unless there is an injury crisis AND its rumoured he's gonna pick Ashton for the friendly and see's him as the perfect foil for Rooney, which i agree with, you need a target man and Owen aint it.....

Whilst we obviously need to see how the team plays - he's making the right decisions and noises IMO....tup:

This will be the next good move:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4779133.stm

El Tel for me has the managerial nouce to shape a new era of English football and I reckon it'll work with him more in the background and Big Stevo the public figure.

[king billy]

Yep, can't disagree with that one either - whatever your thoughts on el Tels manangement, one things for sure - he's a cracking coach....
Pity Shearer turned down the chance to coach with the team though in favour of punditry, hopefully its only till he gets his coaching wings!!!

[BronteBantam]

I don't really see why we need an official captain and personally would just hand out the honour on a game by game basis. However the likleyhood is that it would be the same player for a number of games but still.

Regardless I think Terry is the right choice out of the possible candidates.

El Tel should have had another crack at England manager years ago, unfortunatey he was well out of favour with the FA.

Beckham is still quality and as far as I know is only really being dropped due to an injury not because of performance issues. However I no longer feel he is capable on the right wing as he can no longer take people as required to put in the cross. He would be perfect in the centre dictating the pace of play and spraying balls around the pitch with precision. The only problem this would cause is how to fit that system into an already crowded midfield of Gerrard, Lampard, Wingers, Holding/Tackling Player.

The Gerrard, Lampard together debate is also a contributing factor to this problem.

[king billy]

Well on his performances at the world cup, for all i'm a big fan of Lamps - he should be dropped, Hargreaves and Gerrard would be the in-form pairing of choice for me!!.....Cole on the left (if fit, if not downing) and Lennon on the right!! Beckham wouldn't be anywhere near my team.....