The England national team cannot catch a break.
You can now add Wayne Rooney to the list of injured stars after the Man U striker injured his ankle earlier today. The injury is expected to keep him out for up to a month, which means he will miss England's crucial Euro qualifier against Croatia on Nov. 16.
How bad are things for England? Steve McLaren has called in David Beckham for the Croatia match even though he hasn't started a competitive match since August (Yes, he did play as a sub in some of LA's final matches).
What do you think of these developments? Share your thoughts below.
Maybe we will see less coverage of the overrated England's Nats when they are finally eliminated. 1 World Cup at home in '66 and no Euro crown. yawn.
Posted by: nico | November 09, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Good thing MLS wont have to worry about losing Beckham to national team duty next summer.
Posted by: CentralCoaster | November 09, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Well it is good that Beckham got called in back to the nats. But Euro 2008 looks pretty bleak for the british at this point.
Posted by: Sandro | November 09, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Are you saying that Galaxy games are not competitive matches? Ouch! I'm pretty sure David B has gotten minutes in the last three LAG games, just for the record.
Posted by: Matt | November 09, 2007 at 01:23 PM
"I'm pretty sure David B has gotten minutes in the last three LAG games, just for the record."
Last two? Came back for the next to last game of the season against NYRB, right?
Posted by: A.S. | November 09, 2007 at 01:29 PM
Or maybe Ives is saying that the Red Bulls game and the Fire game were not that competitive...
Posted by: A.S. | November 09, 2007 at 01:30 PM
good. there's nothing i'd like to see more than england eliminated so i don't have to hear from the incredible bias on fsc.
Posted by: sg | November 09, 2007 at 01:53 PM
This is all part of God's plan to get McLaren sacked.
Now if only He could work some magic on the Galaxy and get Lalas to resign.
Posted by: Steve W | November 09, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Steve Mclaren had to justify his trip to LA and call up Beckham.
There might be some candidates out there willing to take the England National team coaching job if they are able to fly to LA every winter for a few months to observe Beckham and talk to him. If you were the National team in England what would you rather do in November, go watch Micheal Owen play in Newcastle or go hang out with the Beckhams in LA?
Posted by: CD | November 09, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Here are a few reasons experience helps. By all reports from both club and NT teammates Beckham is a huge booster on and off the pitch and he's a great mentor and confidence builder for younger players. He's also got a lot of composure under pressure. That's not saying he doesn't lose his temper, he just doesn't lose his nerve. His service is dangerous in big games, not just because of accuracy, but because he doesn't lose focus. According to opponents, he still unsettles the other team. I think he's still of great value to England. Fit.
I'm still not sure we have the whole story on his ankle, but if he's fit, I would certainly have him in the squad.
Posted by: Bella | November 09, 2007 at 08:35 PM
England is desperate and needs Israel to tie or beat Russia. (Or Russia to trip up vs. Andorra...won't happen.) I hope McLaren doesn't get an ulcer in his last few weeks as England coach...I feel sorry for the guy, he's under so much media pressure.
Posted by: Sean | November 10, 2007 at 01:32 AM
Ives- have you seen
"Mike Bassett: England Manager" a biting bit of satire (accurate as well). If not, I'd highly recommend a preview here-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VY1lWyCAg
Steve McClaren* is a decent man, and a terrible football manager. At least spell his name correctly.
Hopefully, Golden melons can save his country one more time for the fire. People better start breaking out the "Shaloms" though. I hear Our Man Gerrard offered to buy Yossi Benayoun a car if he scores against the hated Cossacks.
English Media:
Two months ago the Israeli league is sh*te as Avram Grant is hired, their national team is a lesson in conservative (true), uninspired play (untrue).
Now everyone is praising their toughness, grit, and defensive prowess. (Not mentioning their historically inept offensively).
English media bear similar qualities to the current American government, mastering the art of commenting out of ignorance and conveniently employing selective memory to further one's interests or point.
I hope Beckham makes 100 caps. No one is more deserving after putting up with the mood swings of pundits for the last 12 years.
Posted by: YankatOxford | November 10, 2007 at 08:50 AM