Beckham

[Scott Weber]

Has he shedded the overrated tag forever after his performance in this World Cup? He gets wayyyyy more crap than he deserves. He's no Ronaldinho, but he's a damn good player and he certainly stepped up today.

[fromwithin]

If he had 4 goals, then he'd shred the tag.

[fire on my lips]

dude, he's played like shit this world cup. He doesn't even have the free kicks going for him (he seems like he's turning that around). He's has three good ones in about 15 chances. And his crossing, normally his strength, has been absolute shit.
The real thing that matters is will he be able to stay on the pitch for all 90 minutes without getting a red card against Holland/Portugal.

That being said, he isn't overrated. He's not a famous footballer, he's a famous POP star.
He's played well in today, but didn't deserve MOTM, Ashely Cole did. He played very poorly in all the group games.

[Jason Tate]

You know what, everyone who says Beckham should be benched needs to take a long hard look at the past games and analyze the contributions of those players who were supposed to "carry" the team.

Owen. Lampard. Rooney. Gerrard. All 4 of them can supposedly "play" England to victory, but all 4 have been sub-standard. Granted Rooney is only just coming off injury and Owen was never fully fit, but still. Owen's job was to score. Failed. Lampard's job was to create and score. Failed. Rooney's job was to score. Failed. Gerrard's job was unclear (because of Lampard). I'll give him a pass because he did score twice when we needed it.

Just to make things crystal clear - no one (other than Marcello Balboa) expected Beckham to carry the team. He was never going to take anyone on, go on any mazy runs, or beat anyone with speed (everyone knows he has none). His role was always to deliver pinpoint crosses and to create goals from free kicks. In a couple of games (including today's) he's even done a decent job tracking back, running himself ragged in the process. Basically, he has a job and he does it - making him arguably the most effective (which is different from the "best") player on the England team right now.

As much as people have got into a habit of Beckham-bashing, an honest, unbiased look at England's past 4 games will reveal that he has done exactly what Sven expected him to. The threat he provides from dead-balls and crosses is a calculated trade-off for his lack of creativity on the right. But people like Gerrard and Lampard are supposed to step up to make up for that lack of creativity. So far they have failed.

[Andy]

Actually, I don't think Beckham is overrated. Look at all of Englands games so far, he was the deciding factor in all three of their wins.

[Scott Weber]

I don't think Beckham has played like "shit" this WC, and that's the exact reason for this thread. He had an unbelievable cross that lead to a goal in group play, he's been solid overall. I just think people rip into him far harder than they should.

[Jason Tate]

Actually, I don't think Beckham is overrated. Look at all of Englands games so far, he was the deciding factor in all three of their wins.
That is true.

[Andy]

Paraguay - winning goal
TnT - winning cross
Ecuador - winning goal

[fire on my lips]

Did he have certain good crosses in group play? Of course, but he didn't have anywhere near the normal number that he has. He had plenty of horrendous crosses which led to people saying that Lennon should start. His WC wasn't a good one untl today.

And he'll never stop being critized until he wins a WC for England, and manages not to get suspended on yellows or red carded for stupid reasons, especially against the Argies.

[Jason Tate]

Did he have certain good crosses in group play? Of course, but he didn't have anywhere near the normal number that he has. He had plenty of horrendous crosses which led to people saying that Lennon should start. His WC wasn't a good one untl today.

And he'll never stop being critized until he wins a WC for England, and manages not to get suspended on yellows or red carded for stupid reasons, especially against the Argies.
Hahaha..

:touche:


The expectations are so high.

[jusscali]

Hahaha..

:touche:
thats fantastic

[fire on my lips]

Hahaha..

:touche:


The expectations are so high.
they aren't higher than the US's were :P

Tate you've watched him at RM all season, didn't he play much better than this (in terms of his crossing)?
And I'm not an England fan. All i do is critcize Sven and worship Lennon.

You made a really good point about Lennon in the WC thread. They played great together on the right aginst TnT.

EDIT: I don't think Lennon should start, but I do think he should come on around the 60th minute of every England game. Make it a mandatory sub for Hargreaves.

[Jason Tate]

they aren't higher than the US's were :P

Tate you've watched him at RM all season, didn't he play much better than this (in terms of his crossing)?
And I'm not an England fan. All i do is critcize Sven and worship Lennon.

You made a really good point about Lennon in the WC thread. They played great together on the right aginst TnT.

EDIT: I don't think Lennon should start, but I do think he should come on around the 60th minute of every England game. Make it a mandatory sub for Hargreaves.
I agree with you.

And I love to trash Sven.

And yes, he played pretty good for RM all season. Hasn't been scoring a lot of goals but lead the team (and La Liga I think) in assists.

[fire on my lips]

I agree with you.

And I love to trash Sven.

And yes, he played pretty good for RM all season. Hasn't been scoring a lot of goals but lead the team (and La Liga I think) in assists.
They keep stats on assists? EPL drives me insane by not considering assists an offical stat.

[justinevans]

I think he has played the way an outside midfielder is supposed to play. Make good crosses...

What Beckham has been getting knocked for is that he has just been standing around alot and not moving well without the ball. You don't see him much in the defensive aspect of the game either. Maybe it is not that much of his responsibility, i don't know...but that is what his knock has been. I think for the popularity he has from the casual fan, he is overrated. Ask any true soccer fan and they will say he has little above average skills, but kicks a great ball. The bend he can get is amazing and you do not see many players do it, but when he does not have a free kick or a corner, you don't hear much from him.

[Jason Tate]

I think he has played the way an outside midfielder is supposed to play. Make good crosses...

What Beckham has been getting knocked for is that he has just been standing around alot and not moving well without the ball. You don't see him much in the defensive aspect of the game either. Maybe it is not that much of his responsibility, i don't know...but that is what his knock has been. I think for the popularity he has from the casual fan, he is overrated. Ask any true soccer fan and they will say he has little above average skills, but kicks a great ball. The bend he can get is amazing and you do not see many players do it, but when he does not have a free kick or a corner, you don't hear much from him.
Well said, and I agree. But I think because of his popularity outside of the football world, he gets too much shit from people (Balboa) and has these expectations that are just outlandish. Lampard has sublime skill, and was ranked the best player in England last year - he should be getting called out more than Becks IMO.

[justinevans]

Well said, and I agree. But I think because of his popularity outside of the football world, he gets too much shit from people (Balboa) and has these expectations that are just outlandish. Lampard has sublime skill, and was ranked the best player in England last year - he should be getting called out more than Becks IMO.

Balboa should never be allowed to broadcast a game again. That man is intolerable.

[unwritten]

Eh whatever....Go Italia!

[Jason Tate]

Balboa should never be allowed to broadcast a game again. That man is intolerable.
I can't stand the fucker.

[fire on my lips]

Well said, and I agree. But I think because of his popularity outside of the football world, he gets too much shit from people (Balboa) and has these expectations that are just outlandish. Lampard has sublime skill, and was ranked the best player in England last year - he should be getting called out more than Becks IMO.
I disagree on the calling out Lamps more than Becks. Beckham is the captain. The English team didn't look like they cared the first two group games and the second half of the third. It's part of the captain's job to motivate and he didn't do that in the group stage.

[fire on my lips]

Balboa should never be allowed to broadcast a game again. That man is intolerable.
They all are. The man who invented the mute button is my god (not my Ghod, however. I still love my penalty skying swede).

[Jason Tate]

I disagree on the calling out Lamps more than Becks. Beckham is the captain. The English team didn't look like they cared the first two group games and the second half of the third. It's part of the captain's job to motivate and he didn't do that in the group stage.
I suppose. But I don't really see other "capitans" doing that all that much for other teams (Terry doesn't for Chelsea, and he'd be the next likely to take it for England wouldn't he?)

[justinevans]

tell you what though, beckham sucks 2006 Fifa World Cup

[Drew Beringer]

I can't stand the fucker.
Worse than Billy Packer?

[justinevans]

how can you imagine musberger and keith jackson doing a game, i think that'd be funny.

[Brownpants06]

They really need to step it up next game (And by they, i mean gerrard lampard and rooney) because its going to be a tough team (as of right now, portugol)

[histrionics22]

I dont know what fire on my lips is talking about. He's arguably been their best player through the first 4 games. Hell without him, they would have struggled to make the 2nd round. His free kick was placed perfectly in the first game, leading to the own goal. Also, his cross to Crouch was right on his head for the game winner. Both would otherwise have likely been ties.

Also, to call Beckham out for not being a true "captain" is bogus. The team has enough experience to know that they should be playing hard.

[weezer182]

In my opinion everyone's expectations of Beckham are so high that if he doesn't play outstanding in every game it is a let down. He isn't the type of player who is going to take over a game all by himself. He hasn't played his best by no means but like andy said in every game this wc he has done something big to help his team win like a captain does

[ThriftWhore]

I remember watching the pre-world cup shows, and everybody was saying how Beckham was old and wouldn't do anything in this world cup. I guess he shut them up.

[ghostyouare]

Balboa should never be allowed to broadcast a game again. That man is intolerable.
I swear on everything if I ever see Balboa on the streets I'm going to sneak up behind him and cut his hair.

[Greg Dona]

how can you imagine musberger and keith jackson doing a game, i think that'd be funny.
I despise Musberger with every ounce of life in my body. Beckham seems like he's been covering expectations thus far in the World Cup. But damnit I'm not too happy about my Netherlands losing. I'd like to see both Zidane and Ronaldo to keep rolling for a showdown between two aging stars.

[justinevans]

I despise Musberger with every ounce of life in my body. Beckham seems like he's been covering expectations thus far in the World Cup. But damnit I'm not too happy about my Netherlands losing. I'd like to see both Zidane and Ronaldo to keep rolling for a showdown between two aging stars.

Ronaldo is 29? lol.

[Jason Tate]

I swear on everything if I ever see Balboa on the streets I'm going to sneak up behind him and cut his hair.
Lmao.

:goodpost:

[fire on my lips]

I suppose. But I don't really see other "capitans" doing that all that much for other teams (Terry doesn't for Chelsea, and he'd be the next likely to take it for England wouldn't he?)
huh? What other captains? I was only refering to the captain of the English national team, not the captain of Chelsea. And Chelsea doesn't need motivation, they already have enough talent (and money) that they can win the league half assed.
England really should need to be motivated. I mean you are a serious contender to win the World Cup. what's better than that?

[weezer182]

Also, to call Beckham out for not being a true "captain" is bogus. The team has enough experience to know that they should be playing hard.I agree. If the English players need someone to tell them to play hard then they don't deserve to move on. The players should know what they are playing for, especially in the WC.

[FinchBulldog2]

England has been winning in the "World Cup" which includes the best soccer players in the world in competition, so Beckham has my respect.

[fire on my lips]

I agree. If the English players need someone to tell them to play hard then they don't deserve to move on. The players should know what they are playing for, especially in the WC.
I never stated the words "true captain." I said that he deserved the criticism because he is suppose to motivate, which is one of his jobs as captain, and England hasn't looked like they gave a damn (except during the first half against Sweden and parts of today's game).

[sweethypocrisy]

how can you imagine musberger and keith jackson doing a game, i think that'd be funny.
oh dear fucking god. holy shit. thatd be amazing/terrible.

the snakes on a plane of soccer commentating.

[lesto17]

Balboa should never be allowed to broadcast a game again. That man is intolerable.


Agreed. Hated him when he played and still hate him now.


And Amen to the go Italia guy.

[Linda Ferreira]

No matter how he plays, he is always very pretty. Did I just say that out loud? :aimshut:

[Broken Parachute]

I never thought Beckham was overrated.

[maledixtion]

No matter how he plays, he is always very pretty. Did I just say that out loud? :aimshut:
I want to marry you

[BroekHosen]

I despise Musberger with every ounce of life in my body. Beckham seems like he's been covering expectations thus far in the World Cup. But damnit I'm not too happy about my Netherlands losing. I'd like to see both Zidane and Ronaldo to keep rolling for a showdown between two aging stars.

I want to marry you.

[Broken Parachute]

All these random staff members come out from the woodworks!

[sweethypocrisy]

All these random staff members come out from the woodworks!
if by the woodworks you mean the cages tate had them in, then yes, youre correct.

[Greg Dona]

I want to marry you.
No no no. I want to marry you. I mean seriously, you've got a link to my profile in your sig. You're clearly the best person in the world.

[histrionics22]

I never stated the words "true captain." I said that he deserved the criticism because he is suppose to motivate, which is one of his jobs as captain, and England hasn't looked like they gave a damn (except during the first half against Sweden and parts of today's game).
I didn't put "true" in quotation marks. You called him out for now being a captain. I was saying there could easily be 4 other captains on the team. They have enough experience that they shouldn't need a guy like Beckham to tell them.

[vandalsandquinn]

No no no. I want to marry you. I mean seriously, you've got a link to my profile in your sig. You're clearly the best person in the world.

aha ive heard about you, ive never seen you posting before

[maledixtion]

No no no. I want to marry you. I mean seriously, you've got a link to my profile in your sig. You're clearly the best person in the world.
Oh man. Her life is complete.

[BroekHosen]

No no no. I want to marry you. I mean seriously, you've got a link to my profile in your sig. You're clearly the best person in the world.

You've got it wrong, Greg Dona. You're the best person in the world.

[fire on my lips]

hist 22:
I was quoting you. I probably should have put "true 'captain'" but I'm sorry I didn't expect you to be a stickler for journalistic grammar.

There are two captains on the England squad, three with one by default. Neville, Terry, and Becks. they shouldn't need motivation, but they haven't played with motivation. They need Beckham to kick them in the ass and do it. Sven certainly won't with his policy of silence at before games and at halftime.

[histrionics22]

Well in my post I was quoting you with "captain". Are you slow or something? Do you not have full grasp on the English language?