McClaren Benches Beckham and Robinson—ABOUT TIME!
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by Jgiuffra
The England boss has made a bold decision to leave out 2 of England’s most famous—or infamous if you prefer—players. I personally applaud the gaffer for saying no to mediocrity and really putting his job firmly on the line again by taking what many would consider a very risky chance—albeit a little late in the campaign.
He has given the starting jobs for the notable absentees to Shaun Wright Phillips and Scott Carson. I don’t think anyone was surprised to hear that Beckham would be left out. He is well short of match fitness and only lasted 62 minutes in the game at the weekend.
The surprising move was dumping the Tottenham #1 at this stage for an international unknown. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is the right decision to go with the player who is showing the best form for his club, but what a risk to make that decision now. If anything, Robinson should have been dropped as soon as his form dipped—I think that was in August…or was it last May….so long ago I can’t remember. Former England #1 Neville Southhall reckons that McClaren will destroy Robinson’s career by showing the world that he doesn’t trust him anymore. Here is the quote from the Guardian, "Steve McClaren is effectively sticking two fingers up at Paul and saying he does not trust him in a big game. Paul will be devastated and his relationship with McClaren will also be finished. McClaren will have totally lost him. Paul will interpret being dropped as the England manager saying: 'I don't trust you; you've done nothing for me.'" C’mon Neville, give me a break. If the guy has played like crap for months worrying about sparing his ego should not even be a consideration when it comes to qualification for the European Cup. Everyone pussy-footing around the guy like he’s the 2 nd coming who is being subjected to some devilish trial beyond his control has done the boy no good. I think you’ll find that his club is in a pretty precarious position at the moment, too. Maybe some tough love will give Robinson the impetus to finally snap out of the funk he’s been in for so long and play like he did for Leeds when they were in the Champion’s league semi-final all those years ago. Deep breath.
This will be the Villa man’s first start for the senior team in a match that actually matters. He posted a shutout on Saturday in the Friendly against 2008 co-hosts Austria. He was barely tested, but the form he has shown this season for the claret and blue Brummies has more than enough to push Robinson aside in my opinion. He did very well as a replacement for Dudek at Liverpool in the Champions league quarter final against Juventus in 2004. I would be very surprised if he makes any major mistakes tonight.
It looks like McClaren is going to play a 5 man midfield with Peter Crouch as the lone spearhead up front. There is no place in the starting 11 for Hargreaves who will start on the bench—from a Manchester United point of view I’m very happy that he will be well rested for Bolton at the weekend. The England starting midfield will be from right to left, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. It’s a midfield packed with talent and speed. There is more than enough creativity in those players to make up Beckham’s crosses and free kicks.
McClaren is in an impossible position that will only be cured by a result. I really feel for him especially when you take in to account the added pressure put on him with injuries and suspensions to key players; Rooney, Owen, Heskey , Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole…etc. Missing your captain, however much of a donkey he is, is very difficult; thank god for Micah Richards. Rio is suspended for this game so that leaves a back four of Joleon Lescott , Sol Campbell, Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge. Lescott is the only real unknown quantity in that quartet. He was adequate in his last start for England so hopefully the Evertonian will do even better tonight.
In all, I am pretty confident that England can do the business at Wembley tonight. I hope so anyway. The European Cup wouldn’t be the same without England there…even if they have little if any chance of doing much when they get there…It is England for God’s sake!
