Canada became independent from the UK in 1867. With Hargreaves born about 1980 I would think his parents were born in the 1950's, hardly a time frame for being barely independent. Comments about Hargreaves being a yank make me want to hand in the UK passport. When Hargreaves was the best player on the field for England against Portugal at WC 2006 (and converted a PK), then he was the greatest thing going. BTW...does anybody have a list of England players who were not born in England...Butcher, Hargreaves, Faschnau, Barnes...any others?
I am English-born and bred. I live in the States. I still consider myself 100% English. Well no, half English half Irish actually. But although I pay US taxes I am 0% American. If I had kids now, and remained in the States, my kids would be eligible to play for England, Northern Ireland or the US (and as I hold a UK passport you could probably add Scotland and Wales to that). If they wanted to choose England I would not stand in their way, in fact I would encourage it. I don't consider Hargreaves any less of an England player than any other in the squad. At least he is making himself available, rather than the many dropouts such as Carragher.
OK I got something wrong with Canadian history, I remember there was some kind of additional independence engaged in the 50s... possibly their own flag or anthem? Here's the crux of it. In the two World Wars, Canada was in by default. The US had to be dragged in kicking and screaming. Clear difference in loyalty to the UK. But regardless of which country he was born in, he was born to British-born parents so he has just as much right to a place in the England team as someone born in Timbuktu... as long as their parents are British too.
Way to go Capello; now you’re off on the wrong foot with the fans. You’ll be lucky if 7000 fans turn up for the game, and 6500 of them will be Swiss. Didn’t you learn anything at Real? We might not have enjoyed Sven and Steve, but I’m betting they would have been astute enough to recognize the significance of the game, and the opportunity for the fans to spend their cash to applaud Beckham’s achievement of 100 caps. TV rights anyone? Minimal this year without Euro2008 I think. And Pearce! Already he has already decisively established himself as the “Yes” man. Doesn’t anyone in the FA have a backbone? Maybe a gelatinous one like the sharks they are. To Becks: It’s exciting to see how soccer is establishing itself over here in the US; thank you for helping to make that happen. I already have my MLS season tickets, and look forward to seeing you play next season. Your family is welcome to stop by for a cuppa PG Tips and an Eccles cake whenever you like. Finally, CIAO BELA FLOP is the best anagram so far for Fabio Capello
Let's just get this into the head of people like you who don't understand. Capello does not do sentimentality and is going to do things his way. There has been too much of the Beckham circus in the England team for years..so what if tickets for the game were sold on Beckham accumalating 100 caps? Proper fans want to watch the whole team and not just Beckham. Real fans want success and if it means being hard-nosed so what? Capello is a winner and to call him a flop is rediculous when he was appointed only last month. Steve McClown and Sven would have given him that cap is because they were too matey with Beckham. This friendly was not arranged for Beckham to get his 100 caps (and no doubt publicity) but the preparation for the WC qualifiers. The team is more than just about Beckham and it is time people like you realised that. Beckham's career is nearly finished and we should look forward with the likes of Agbonlahor. Personally go watch the joke of the MLS because that is the level of what you know..'soccer' and while Beckham plays Blue Square North level football he ain't getting a place in the England team. Also Capello is the one England I have high hopes for and who I am geniunely excited about so let's stop with the moaning because the poster-boy is not getting his own way like he is used to.
Far too many words to bother reading, written by an amoeba, good to see you laughing though You're not listening are you, for fcuks sake try to keep up, or get on with your homework........numpty twat........
C'mon, Capello was clearly brought in to boost TV rights and get fans in the seats. England's biggest problem is clearly a lack of support from the fans. That's why the FA chose a manager with a history of playing attractive, attacking football.
Yes everyone knows Wembley has never been full for England before. We need Beckham and his fancy every changing hair to market the sport in England! What rubbish!!!!
I am amazed that some people do not see that beckham brought more bad than good to the england team, in a wider sense, over his whole career.
------------Kirkland--------------- Richards----Rio----Ledley----Ash -----------Hargreaves---------- Bentley/SWP--------------Joe ------------Gerrard---------- -----------Roonster --------------Mikey I say give Kirkland a run out. Can't do any worse than the other options.
Nope, not a jab at Barry, who has performed very well for England. I have a feeling Capello may try a different formation though during this game.
And I also say Hargreaves has to play in this game. Take advantage of having him in the squad when you can, because is brittle as a newborn chick..
As someone who doesnt pull for England but reads what everyone reads, I am not sure at this point there can be any other method. After the qualifying disaster, how can anyone argue that the previous plan was working unless the blame all goes on the coach...and some may state that as the case. As for Beckham, I don't believe anyone should be handed a spot, but by leaving him off the issue will continue to linger. Why not give him 100, then turn the page on a new era. Just my opionion.
He hasn't played enough matches in the past few months to deserve 100. What kind of message do you send to the other players who have been playing week in, and week out? It's about building for the future. Capello is not saying Beckham will never play for England again. Becks will get his 100th cap soon enough if his play doesn't deteriorate from playing matches in the MLS.. And I don't view this as a "meaningless" friendly. I view this as there is a new team on the horizon, and it's time to kick the door down and announce it to the World.
Why does he have to get the 100? People should get over it. Every minute available should be made use of and having a guy play for even 45 mins just for the sake of it is a waste. Who knows, Bentley plays a full 90 instead of coming on at halftime for Beckham and gains something vital in those extra 45...
I've got a feeling he'll use the diamond midfield with Gerrard for this game and probably WCQ, which makes me wonder - where does Lampard fit in?? Maybe on the bench - can we hope!
GK-James RB-Johnson CB-Rio CB-Micah LB-Bridge CDM-Hargreaves RM-Bentley LM-Barry CAM- Gerrard ST-Rooney ST-Heskey
I like this squad but I wanna c Hesky playing beside rooney England coupled Ronney & Owen dozen of times but they were unsuccessful in temrs of demand
One thing I hope is abolished under Capello are these players who mysteriously drop out with illness and injury a day or two before friendly matches, only to be 100% fit for their club's next fixture.
Hmmm. If (if) we allow that tired old cliche to stand (name the last player to pull out of an England squad and start the very next club game), how would Capello (or anyone) "abolish" this (non-)practice? The only likely approach would be to drop the offending player from the next squad - which is fine if it's Robert Green or Wes Brown or someone similar, but if it's Rooney or Terry or Gerrard?