McClaren tips Beckham to deliver
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Article summary
Steve McClaren will "stand or fall" by his bold choice to recall former captain David Beckham to the England squad for Friday's visit of Brazil and the trip to Estonia.
Article body
Steve McClaren will "stand or fall" by his bold choice to recall former captain David Beckham to the England squad. The manager's u-turn on the Real Madrid CF midfielder was his biggest decision since taking over from Sven Göran-Eriksson after dropping Beckham following last year's FIFA World Cup.
'Very fit'
"I have looked at David since the new year and watched him very closely," McClaren said. "He looks very fit - the fittest I have seen for a long, long time. It's my decision and I stand or fall by that." England meet Brazil in the first senior international at the new Wembley on Friday, before travelling to Estonia for a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier on 6 June, where victory will be imperative with England sitting fourth in Group E - two points behind leaders Croatia, who have a game in hand, and level with Israel and Russia.
Fans' support
"The only thing that will help me get the support of the fans is to win matches," continued the former Middlesbrough FC boss. "That's why I brought David Beckham back. Not for the fans, not for the media, not for anybody, but the squad, the team, England, to get us winning matches. That's all. It's all about on the pitch. That's my job." Beckham has earned rave reviews over recent months, helping Madrid to the Primera División summit - on the same points as FC Barcelona with two matches remaining - as he seeks to end his four-year stay in Spain with a first trophy. McClaren says he has not been swayed by public opinion and insists the 32-year-old's impressive form is the sole reason for his recall.
'We must deliver'
"Whether it is to prove me wrong or whatever, it is probably to prove something to himself that he still wants to play at this level," McClaren said. "He can. He has proved that. This is a big game. I know David well enough and he just wants to play. We must deliver now, that's the key thing. There's a good hunger among the players, despite having a hard season. They have that look of resolve in their eyes that says: 'We've got to do the business now'."
