Comments on: The Offside Poll: Does David Beckham Deserve a 100th England Cap?

By: nige

nige — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:01:50 +0000

Can i play just to get my first cap. I’m not very good so i should fit in nicely

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:59:32 +0000

Polling worked well for me!

Give it to him, it is not really an important fixture other than for Capello to look good in the press. He doesn’t have to play the whole game and he still is probably one of the best options (maybe not THE best) that England has.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:34:33 +0000

I’m not really bothered about the number of caps, I think he still deserves to be in the squad on merit, because he motivates teammates, and he is generous with what he has to offer younger players. He’s said that 100 is just a milestone and that all players set next goals for themselves. His teammates still consider him an asset, opponents still consider him a danger, and–I agree–Capello is a complete pragmatist. If he calls Beckham up it will be because he has something to offer the team, not for sentiment. As a Beckham fan, I prefer that the call-up be a practical one.

It’s the FA that’s milking this decision and the “suspense” around it for every ounce of publicity they can. Capello never announces his squads a minute before he has to, which in the past has often been on the bus to the grounds. Anyone who read the Spanish press during Capello’s time at Real Madrid knows that the media do not have the least impact on his thinking, a very good thing for England!

By: mctalian

mctalian — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:26:38 +0000

Absolutely he deserves. Did you see him when he came on against Croatia? He vitalized the team. People love to hate on him, and he has slowed down, but he can still win you games and he’s fierce competitor.

By: joejoejoe

joejoejoe — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:20:39 +0000

Beckham is still a dangerous server of the ball. I can see him as a possible situational sub in 2010. If that is a possibility then he deserves a shot. If it’s not a possibility then it’s up to Capello to make a choice about giving Beckham a cap for other purposes which are also valid. England is bidding for a future World Cup and promoting the 2012 Olympics. Having a Beckham get his 100th cap in a friendly match with world attention is good for the FA and good for England, even if it’s not good for David Bentley.

By: -nickt.-

-nickt.- — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:29:35 +0000

kim, i disagree. friendlies are a chance to fine tune teams before they’re doing somethimg that counts and a chance to see players that haven’t been called up much. everyone knows what beckham can do when fit so let him get there and then put him in.

also why just give out milestones? if beckham deserves the 100th cap milestone it should be because he played his way into 100 caps not some gift because he was good enough to reach 99.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:16:13 +0000

I guess the only reason we fetishise the number 10, and then the number 100 is because we have 10 fingers right? I don’t really get the difference between 99 and 100. Except that the latter is one more.

I’d take Beckham in the squad almost certainly, I think he has a role to play still, whether he’s a starter is a completely different beast, but I would take him. I do trust Fabio really though, and I reckon he’ll only take Beckham if its benifical to the team. So, we’ll see what happens.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:44:56 +0000

Sure! Give it to him. These international friendlies are just what they are- friendlies. The row over whether or not he should wear the shirt again is silly in my opinion, and really seems to cheapen his record in historical terms. Let ‘im have one more day in the sun, and spend then more time teaching the players how to properly pass to eachother.

By: Betting on the Reds

Betting on the Reds — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:20:31 +0000

I think he deserves his 100th cap to be fair. He was one of England’s best players in a dismal performance against Croatia and has been one of the most consistent players in an England shirt over the past 10 years. Yes, it would be a symbolic gesture to hand him it but why not in a friendly game? If he does well, he could still do a job to help England to the 2012 World Cup. He’s only 32 and one of the best crossers of a ball in the world still. He deserves another chance in my view.

By: shane

shane — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:53:18 +0000

Give it to him, why not?? is not an important fixture anyways. More as a symbolic touch than anything