Beckham or Lennon?

[WizardOfTheDribble]

I know it's been done to death but..........

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006290021,00.html

Difficult decision, but the only thing he's bringing to the table at the moment are his set-pieces, which are admittedly key.

But would it be worth the hooha and ructions that dropping him would create, which would clearly threaten to overshadow things almost completely.

I really think that the inclusion of the extra-special Lennon would transform us and put us on the front foot though.

[sinner78]

lampard and gerrard are superior set piece takers.
every time beckham takes a free kick these days it hits the first defender .

beckham is over the hill by about 3 years.
time for lennon.

[Beckham7]

The first 3 goals England scored were set up by Beckham. Gerrard did all the work on his goal though, with his nice shot outside the box.

[musicl]

Easily Lennon. Beckham was non-existant against Sweden.

Its really quite sad on England that Lennon has only played 15 minutes at the world cup.

[Prenn]

Lennon = no end product.

That doesn't mean I'm voting for Beckham though.

[Colm]

Lennon doesn't have much end product yet.

But Beckham's free kicks, crosses and passes latley have been very poor. Beckham has to step up now.

[sinner78]

lennon offers pace and skill.
Anything beckham used to be good at is a distant memory.
He used to have awesome set piece ability ,accurate passing ,discipline , work rate and great crossing .
he hasnt got any of that anymore.
we need some pace in the midfield .

[Stud83]

I'd rather see Beckham start and Lennon coming on in second half.

[BridgeMonkee]

Beckham for the first 60 mins. He just isnt capable of having the energy for the full 90 mins. After that bring on Lennon. France used to use Platini in a similar way when he was over-the-hill.

SGE likes to get the goal and then defend and that clearly isnt working. Attack is the best defence and so for the last 30 mins bring on Lennon and use his speed and quick feet to pin the opposition back.

[sinner78]

Beckham for the first 60 mins. He just isnt capable of having the energy for the full 90 mins. After that bring on Lennon. France used to use Platini in a similar way when he was over-the-hill.

SGE likes to get the goal and then defend and that clearly isnt working. Attack is the best defence and so for the last 30 mins bring on Lennon and use his speed and quick feet to pin the opposition back.


if we;re up in the last 30 minutes sven only brings on hargreaves.
he makes the same blunders every time.
he hasnt learnt anything .

[BridgeMonkee]

if we;re up in the last 30 minutes sven only brings on hargreaves.
he makes the same blunders every time.
he hasnt learnt anything .

I know SGE's refusal to change, to learn, to adapt - his sheer arrogance - is pitiful.

I would also consider Theo for the last 15 mins or so because of his pace - has to be better than using Downing - Theo is a fast whipper-snapper and the ref would call a free-kick if any opposition defender even looked at him.

[Footstomper]

I know it's been done to death but..........

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006290021,00.html

Difficult decision, but the only thing he's bringing to the table at the moment are his set-pieces, which are admittedly key.

But would it be worth the hooha and ructions that dropping him would create, which would clearly threaten to overshadow things almost completely.

I really think that the inclusion of the extra-special Lennon would transform us and put us on the front foot though.
Both please, I want to win this thing. I may be delusional, but I still think we can.

[schafer]

Beckham for the first 60 mins. He just isnt capable of having the energy for the full 90 mins. After that bring on Lennon. France used to use Platini in a similar way when he was over-the-hill.

SGE likes to get the goal and then defend and that clearly isnt working. Attack is the best defence and so for the last 30 mins bring on Lennon and use his speed and quick feet to pin the opposition back.


Another thing is that if Beckham knows he'll only get 60 minutes, he will give his all for those 60 and not have to worry about conserving himself.

[Arsenal15]

I've learned to stop fretting about these kind of debates, because unfortunetly, there isn't a chance in hell that Becks would be dropped by Sven.

[Stretch Armstrong]

If England are to play 4-5-1 against Ecuador then they need pace from the wings in order to support the lone striker who will be in danger of becoming isolated. Lennon would seem preferable in such a formation. England must control the midifeld further up the pitch if they are to make use of the formation

However a side like Ecuador could struggle to defend Beckham's set pieces unlike the obstinate and organised Swedes.

Id say play Beckham against Ecuador and then reconsider the situation in the quarters ( provided England qualify )

[MartinJol]

I would play neither. I don't think lennon is ready for a starting place just yet - his end product is not non-existent but is certainly not consistent enough at this level. Plus, his durability is questionable. He noticeably tired in the majority of spurs' games this season and I think he will be most useful to England as a supersub. As for Beckham - he has virtually no use to this England team. His corners and free-kick shooting are definitely worse than lampard and probably cole and gerrard too, whilst his leadership qualities have never been good enough. Overall, he just doesn't appear to be much of a threat at all from open play.

For the Ecuador game where we are likely to have a lot of the ball I would go with Gerrard on the right with lampard and Hargreaves in the middle and Crouch and Rooney up top. However, when we play against the better teams (Holland or Portugal) I think we need to go with a 5 man midfield with two holding players - carrick and hargreaves, and three attacking midfielders - cole, lampard and gerrard, with rooney the lone striker. This would give us far more defensive protection and should help us to keep possession better. It is also just about the only way I can see England being able to accomodate cole, lampard and gerrard and get the best out of them.

[Rise]

I don't think you can write off Beckham's contribution too cheaply. If we are to proceed then his experience may well prove invaluable.

Having said that, Lennon needs to be used a lot more as he seems to be the only one in the midfield at the moment who actually wants to run at defenders and go wide which is something our game lacks in abundence. Joe Cole does the first part, but always cuts in onto his right foot.

Having Beckham and Gerrard on the same pitch is just a competition in Pick-Out-The-Crouch.

[keane10]

Lennon was pretty impressive in the one game he played in, but still, he's young without much experience. Beckham has played in many pressure situations before, besides he IS the captain. I doubt they'd take him out.

[Jodz]

I prefer Beckham.

[WizardOfTheDribble]

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/internationals/article1099157.ece

:D