David Beckham

[bobthebandit]

I dont believe David Beckham deserves to beat Bobby Moore's record of England caps.
This is because he got us knocked out of the 1998 World Cup when he got sent off against Argentina.
He also got us knocked out of the 2002 World Cup when he deliberately shirked a tackle (to avoid injury) against Brazil,which directly led to Brazil's winner.
Moreover he hasnt won a single trophy for England

[WhiteBear]

when was the last time England actually won anything??

[Gromit]

So all of England's failures can be laid at the feet of one man can they. And there was me thinking a team consisted of 11 players. I seem to remember a lot of England's failures stem from their inability to convert a penalty, something which Beckham cannot be accused of.

[mark01]

Gromit - he missed that penalty (in shoot out) against Portugal Euro 2004 quarter finals.

Beckham sent off twice playing for England - including once as first ever England captain

[A.Guest]

mark01 . . .so Beckham missed a penalty in 108 games.

Disgraceful eh?

[mark01]

A.Guest - actually missed 3 penalties in a row 2003/4 against Turkey, France & Portugal.

[Parsfan]

As a mere Jock I hate to intrude on private grief, but I seem to recall England getting out of jail in a match against Greece.

And while I agree Moore was a great player, he wasn't infallible. I can still see him trying to dribble out of defence against Poland and giving away the only goal of the game. I think it contributed to England failing to qualify for the finals.

[bobthebandit]

Englands Hall of Shame (continued!)

1970 World Cup
Peter BONETTI - Conceded 3 soft goals (after being 2-0 up) v West Germany - Quarter Final

1974
Martin Chivers missing numerous sitters against Poland preventing us from qualifying

1986
Diego MARADONA's handball

1990
Stuart PEARCE missed penalty v W. Germany - Semi Final

2006
Wayne ROONEY's sending off v Portugal - Quarter Final

Euro 1996
Gareth SOUTHGATE's missed penalty v Germany - Semi Final

[brenda]

At least B.M used to play a full match, how long is it since D.B played 90 mins for England?

[mark01]

Steve/Bob yes its a team game at the end of the day - but if we dont qualify or lose an important game, we or 'the media' have got to blame someone, either poor keeper, sending off, missed penalty, etc - some player has got to carry the can! if not theres always the manager.

Press love to get on players backs after unsuccessful finals eg Wilkins WC 86, Beckham WC 98, at least both players rose above this criticism - and thats all you can do.

Bob - you havent mentioned the Hunter/Shilton disaster WC 74 qualifier - that one tops the lot - was that really 36 years ago!

[sambro]

bobby moore wouldnt have got 108 caps if duncan edwards had not perished after munich.