Pearce should have included Beckham - for what he did in getting the Olympics to London and what he's done for english football. To be honest, I'm starting to get the impression that Pearce isn't a good coach
I'm the complete opposite. You play sport to win. Pearce has just gone up hugely in my estimation. It would have been very, very, very easy to have included Beckham. But purely for footballing reasons (as Roy would say), it would have been wrong decision. These are the 2012 Olympics, not the 2000 Olympics. Beckham is long past it. (Of course the same could be said of Giggs and Bellamy, but that's a different argument). I'm more interesting in who the other 15 players will be though. Having "lost" Jones, Henderson, Chamberlain, Wellbeck and Carroll - due to all going to the Euro's - Pearce's options are suddenly very limited.
No way, if we're picking to reward past contributions then Seb Coe would be running the 1500m. Beckham has done nothing to show he is good enough to use one of the over-age slots on. Giggs has played frequently, and well, in an almost title-winning side (and in the champions league to boot). There is no comparison between the two.
Completely off the top of my head, maybe something like: Butland Richards Smalling Caulker Gibbs Cleverley Ramsey Giggs Bellamy Sturridge Bale J Steele, R Bennett, N Taylor, J Rodwell, J Mutch, W Zaha, S Sinclair I'm sure they are one or kids who I've forgotten about. Kyle Walker has apparently said he still needs more time to recover, whilst I'm guessing Wilshire still wont be fit yet. Martin Kelly is another name who will presumably have to miss out, due to his Euro call-up.
I've got Wembley semi-final tickets. I'm going to the Athletics earlier that day (including seeing Usain Bolt in the 200m, and Idowu in the triple-jump), so I thought I'd make a whole day of it. The semi-final kicking off at 5pm that day therefore fits in perfectly. Having looked at the how the draw has panned out though, I need GB to finish 2nd in their group if I'm to possibly see them.
I've got a ticket for the football at the millennium stadium. Mexico vs Switzerland and GB vs Uruguay one after the other. Not exactly in heavy demand so easy to get (and quite reasonably priced), though they have apparently sold out now so should be a good atmosphere!
GB vs Uruguay should be good. Last I heard, three out of Forlan, Suarez, Cavani and Lugano will be selected.
Nice one, on further investigation it looks like I've got Mexico v Gabon and South Korea v Switzerland in Coventry. I think Mrs Q's family have got some tickets for the women's football in GB's group as well so I will probably be going to one of those, not sure where/when though.
The four over-age players in the preliminary squad are Muslera (GK), Arévalo, Suárez and Cavani. I'd imagine the latter two will be picked, so that should be interesting!
Butland won't be there due to being at the Euros surely? I'd also like to see Joe Allen in there if possible...
I also have tickets for August 1st at the millennium stadium. Mexico vs Switzerland and GB vs Uruguay and i am gutted Beckham has not been selected. When he was young and immature and of course being a Manchester Utd player, i had no time for him but after he got sent of in the Argentina game my respect has grown and grown. Firstly for the way he dealt with lots of football fans abuse after that game, and then realizing how much he trains and is dedicated to football, how much he has waved the English flag, and finally the incredible amount of Charity work he has done. So although i will be buying a new Union Jack flag and cheering with the other 90,000 fans in the hope of winning the Gold medal, i will feel gutted to see a man who has done so much for our Country missing out on a great end to a distinguished career.
My tickets to which, I have just this second picked up from the post office. All 15 of them (not just to the Athletics and Football). Now just waiting for my Tennis Olympic tickets to arrive from Canada.
Do you think Zaha will go ahead of Rodriguez? Personally I'm shocked and disappointed Beckham hasn't been called up, he did an awful lot of work for the Olympics.
I read somewhere earlier this week that Zaha has been told that he's in. Direct quote from Freedman I think. I wouldn't be shocked if J-Rod gets called up, but I'm not expecting it. Definately do not expect Cork to go though. As mentioned above, Joe Allen is a good shout. I'd forgotten him.
Zaha is in, but Rodriguez might not be? Think I'd lose what little faith I had in Pearce if that happened. Can someone remind me why Zaha is so highly rated?
He's got the unpredictability factor, same reason Oxo went to the Euros. Rightly or wrongly, that's why he's going.
Fair enough. Rodriguez is most definitely the better player, but the "unpredictability factor" is true enough.
