Alan Green: Becks your time is up

International

Saturday, March 29, 2008

One of the reasons I opted out of commentating at Fabio Capello's first game in charge of England - the February friendly against Switzerland - was that I didn't think I could stand the hullabaloo surrounding David Beckham's 100th cap.

I needn't have bothered: he, of course, didn't play.

So, having opted 'in' for the game in Paris, I decided to take whatever came my way and I hope I was both professional and respectful about someone who I certainly like on a personal level but have never unduly rated as a footballer.

Beckham's always been a very good player but never, in my view, the world class one so many made him out to be.

The honour clearly means a great deal to him and so it should: only four other Englishmen reached the milestone before him.

Whatever my misgivings, it is a magnificent achievement and I rather like the way Beckham never took the easy way out.

It wasn't a case of choosing 'international retirement' when Steve McClaren omitted him originally. Beckham said he still wanted to play for his country.

But now that he's reached the century, unfortunately, I think any future caps should be awarded entirely because of what he does or doesn't contribute on the pitch.

Sadly, he showed very little against France and, if that's the level he's settling for in the MLS, then his 100th appearance might well be his last.

Beckham wasn't even 'running around' in the Stade de France, his crossing and corners were average and, absurdly, he spent as much time at right back as he did on the right of midfield, inadvertently exposing Wes Brown's many limitations as well.

Mind you, it wasn't as if anyone representing England exactly enhanced their reputations on Wednesday night.

It was hard to take any positives from a ponderous display and the game surely posed more questions for Capello than he'll be comfortable admitting too.

I was astounded to hear he was 'happy'.

It's as if he's decided on a system - 4-2-3-1 - without necessarily having the players to play it.

The Gerrard/Rooney partnership doesn't function as well as Gerrard/Torres at Liverpool because the United player is too 'hungry' to be involved in the play and goes haring off everywhere that he isn't needed.

Rooney doesn't appear to like the lone striker role except at Old Trafford where the width provided by the likes of Ronaldo and Giggs is constantly on the offensive - unlike the hesitant Joe Cole and the 'right back' Beckham for England.

England improved after half time when they reverted to 4-4-2 but still failed to properly threaten a somewhat under strength French side. It's a shame that the excellent Franck Ribery hasn't an English granny!

In short, only two games into Capello's reign, the Italian must be recognising that this is very different to club football.

Finding a system is one thing, having the players to play it another. If they're only hearing the team two hours before kick-off, what have they been rehearsing for three days?

And getting those players to do for their country what they do regularly for their clubs is a frustration that he's only just finding out about.